9 July 2026

Beyond the Mainstream: Vienna Concept Store Shares Summer Fragrance Picks

Interior of SNUD Concept Store in Vienna with fragrance displays, furniture and curated interior design.

Quick Read

• Most perfume chains organise their shelves around fragrances designed to appeal to broad consumer tastes.
• Niche perfumeries focus on distinctive compositions, craftsmanship and independent perfume houses.
• Vienna's SNUD Concept Store combines fragrance with interior design, furniture and lifestyle products in a curated setting.
• For summer 2026, the founders recommend fragrances inspired by sea air, citrus, tropical notes and Mediterranean landscapes.

Modern perfume retail often makes choosing a fragrance easier by presenting collections that appeal to the widest possible audience. For many shoppers this simplifies the search, but those looking for more unusual scent compositions frequently turn to specialist retailers. Independent niche perfumeries offer a different approach, focusing on craftsmanship, artistic perfume houses and personal guidance rather than familiar bestseller lists.

From architecture to fragrance

One of these destinations is SNUD Concept Store on Josefstädter Straße in Vienna's eighth district. Opened in 2024 by Katharina and Oliver Foltin, the shop grew from a long-standing idea the couple developed while studying architecture together. Katharina later specialised in interior architecture, while Oliver built his career in the construction industry before both transformed their shared interest in fragrance and design into a retail concept.

Their philosophy extends beyond perfume. Under the motto "From Scent to Space", SNUD combines niche fragrances with home fragrances, hand and body care, jewellery, textiles, carefully selected home accessories and furniture. One example is the Hea × SNUD table, created with Austrian furniture maker Hea. Crafted from solid wood with softly rounded forms, the table reflects the store's emphasis on regional craftsmanship and understated design. The interior itself was designed by the founders and realised together with creative partners and manufacturers from the region.

A destination for scent and design

The combination of fragrance and interior design has attracted international attention. Last year, AD Germany highlighted the shop in its Vienna city guide, noting its carefully curated atmosphere, furniture selection and collection of niche perfumes. More recently, Vogue Germany included SNUD among Austria's noteworthy beauty destinations, reflecting the growing visibility of independent fragrance retailers beyond traditional perfume chains.

Summer through scent

For the current season, the founders have selected four fragrances that interpret summer from different perspectives rather than following one dominant trend. M. A. Je suis le plus grand by D'Orsay explores soft molecular, floral and musky notes that develop closely on the skin. Malibu Party in the Bay by Simone Andreoli combines coconut, rum and sweet tropical accords inspired by beach holidays. Lightsource by Icelandic perfumer Andrea Maack pairs citrus with fig in a fresh, contemporary composition, while Greek Keys by multimedia artist Sarah Baker evokes Mediterranean herbs, citrus and warm coastal landscapes.

Beyond these four recommendations, SNUD's recent summer fragrance guide on Instagram groups perfumes into themes such as Best Aquatic Fragrances, Best Coconut Fragrances, Best Citrus Fragrances and Best Fruity Fragrances, illustrating how today's niche perfume market increasingly focuses on moods and experiences rather than traditional fragrance families. Among the store's Summer Favorites 2026 is Sale Marino from Vienna perfume house WienerBlut, showing that Austrian perfume brands are also becoming part of the international conversation around niche fragrance.

Image: Interior view of Vienna's SNUD Concept Store on Josefstädter Straße, combining niche perfumery with furniture, home accessories and contemporary interior design. © Ana Barros