IT IS not unusual for passers-by in Kildrostan Street to be lured into one particular shop by the fabulous fragrance wafting out the door.

One day it might be the warm blend of Moroccan rose, lime and black pepper, another the uplifting scent of green tea and ginger that welcomes customers to marie brown at home.

The lifestyle shop with a loyal local following is known for stocking the luxury Neom organic range of candles and diffusers. Anyone with a nose for quality might already be familiar with the 100% natural fragrances.

"The Neom range is special, once you experience it you're hooked," says Marie. "I burn the candles in the shop and often people come in because of the fragrance."

Opened six years ago, the shop offers a mix of interiors, gifts and homeware with stock updated and punctuated by the changing seasons.

The True Grace candle range is also popular, made in Wiltshire and offering a garden of fragrance choices, from black lily to chamomile, lavender, freesia and jasmine.

Similarly, the St Eval collection, hand-made in Cornwall, is a must-have for candle connoisseurs. As are the Danish brand Ester & Erik Danish colours, hand dipped and available in a rainbow of rich jewel colours.

Marie opened the shop six years ago when she swapped a career in law for the role of shop proprietor.

"It has evolved over that time just by what people want to buy and what I'm happy to sell. It's part of the community, which is lovely. If people are going to visit someone or go for dinner or to a wedding, they come here."

She adds: "I practised law for 30-odd years and then an opportunity came along. It just seemed to come along at the right time.

"I didn't go looking for a shop, it kind of landed at my feet and I thought, this is meant to be. Timing wise it was perfect for me.

"It was an interior design shop before and I am friendly with the previous proprietor. I came in one night on my way home from work and said, 'In the next stage of my life I would like something like this'.

THEN she said her business was changing and asked if I was interested."

The shop might be small but it is packed with must-have buys: LSA glassware, bone china by Repeat and Beverly Hewitt crockery, as well as Designers Guild cushions and Thomas Kent clocks.

"When I'm buying I look for things I like, things that are a wee bit different and that I know customers might like," says Marie.

"I can source from an existing supplier if I don't have something in the shop a customer wants."

Another stand-out range is of pewter frames by Lancaster & Gibbings.

Cards are always a big seller and alongside popular names such as Caroline Gardner, there is a range from Edinburgh's Sadie Jean Designs and quirky designs from Glasgow's Shakeastickat.

Autumn stock will be arriving soon and one of the highlights of the year is the Christmas night in late November when all the shops nearby offer nibbles and a drink in an evening to showcase their stock and raise money for charity.

"For me it's rewarding that the shop is part of the community," says Marie.

l marie brown at home, 10 Kildrostan Street, Pollokshields, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 423 4307.

angela.mcmanus@ eveningtimes.co.uk