House of Bothania: Where Art, Fragrance and Transformation Converge
On the rugged beauty of Norway’s southwest coast, surrounded by pine forests and farmland, sits a retreat that has quietly become one of Europe’s most intriguing sanctuaries. The House of Bothania is more than a destination. It is a philosophy, a way of life where art, fragrance and storytelling are interwoven into the daily rhythm of transformation.
At its heart is Silje Engelstrand Natland, an artist and therapist who has long believed that true creativity emerges from personal change. Describing herself as a “modern-day alchemist,” Natland has shaped Bothania into a place where ancient practices and modern sensibilities meet. Her approach blends craniosacral therapy, hypnotherapy, energy work and resonance medicine into experiences designed to help guests step away from distraction and return to themselves.
Fragrance has become her chosen language. Bothania’s Alchemist Series, a collection of perfumes and oils produced in Norway, are made with what Natland calls “bioenergetic frequencies.” Each scent is conceived not only to seduce the senses but to spark memory, unlock emotion and stir new states of awareness. “Fragrance is not just about luxury,” she explains. “It is a key to transformation.”
The retreat is built around this belief. The Alchemist Garden, divided into seven symbolic zones, acts as a map for meditation and reflection. A converted stable now hosts yoga and sound healing, while a glass studio invites solitude for writers and creators. Even the Butterfly House is charged with symbolism, reminding visitors of nature’s most elegant transformation.
Since acquiring the Bakkeland property in 2018 with her husband, Aage, Natland has expanded the vision step by step. The launch of the Alchemist Set in 2022 introduced a new audience to her philosophy with seven perfumes and guided cards designed as “keys to consciousness.” A rebrand in 2023 carried Bothania into the international space, and retreats soon followed in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Belgium.
Sustainability anchors every element. The perfumes are vegan and cruelty-free, crafted using ethanol derived from Norwegian forests. To Natland, it is not a marketing angle but an ethical imperative. “We cannot speak about transformation without speaking about the way we live on this earth,” she says.
The House of Bothania has now taken its vision to a global stage, announced as an official Bronze Category Sponsor of the National Film Awards 2026. For Natland, the alignment between fragrance and film is natural. “At House of Bothania, we believe that true artistry begins with transformation of self, of story and of the world around us,” she says. “We are excited to partner with the National Film Awards, as both film and fragrance have the power to move us, awaken memories and inspire new ways of seeing. We are honoured to support an event that celebrates creativity and vision, while also aligning with our mission to weave well-being and conscious living into everyday life.”
With new launches such as Luminessence and the Womb Weaver Card Deck set to debut later this year, the journey of Bothania continues to expand. Yet those who visit often speak less about the product line and more about the feeling of the land itself. To walk through a symbolic garden, to sit in a studio overlooking the woods, or to breathe the coastal air scented with pine and sea is to experience the quiet essence of transformation.
For more information, visit houseofbothania.com