May 18, 2010 | Eco-Chic Entertaining

Eco-Chic | Smoke Scented Candles

At Cafe Cluny, the popular West Village bistro, the bathrooms are scented with tobacco but luckily not the toxic kind. Instead the chic eatery burns candles from Kobo, in particular their unusual yet intoxicating Tabac and Talc, which is a melange of tobacco, patchouli and talc. Made from domestically grown sustainable soybeans, the natural ingredients of Kobo candles allow for a clean, long burn – up to 80 hours – and an excellent level of fragrance.

Those looking for a masculine scent can select Kobo’s Leather Mahogany (leather, armoise and cardamom) or Smoke (smoke, leather and oakmoss) while culinary types might chose Jalapeno (jalapeno, cilantro and parsley) or Water Mint (watercress, mint and cucumber). Of course, there are plenty of floral and feminine scents to go around from Golden Mimosa (mimosa, peach and white magnolia) to Champagne Ginger (ozone, ginger and siberian pine)

Founded by Junko Kobori and her husband, Kobo Candles offers a variety of collections that were inspired by their worldly travels and a desire to create scents that are as memorable in an environment as a piece of art on the wall. Each candle ($38) comes with an extinguishing lid and a custom designed box of wooden matches.

Kobo candles are available online and at specialty retailers across the country including ABC Home and Nest Interiors in New York and Pulp La Brea in Los Angeles.