Unique Ideas for Decorating
with Candles
Candles have captivated everyone’s decorating
attention in the past few years. We have more
choices than ever today in candles, candle styles,
and fragrances. Candles are beautiful and add a
touch of romance wherever they’re placed. One
of the most common decorating trends is to place
a row of simple votives along a table or a fireplace
mantle. But there is so much more that can be
done with candles than you may have thought
about.
Safety first
Most people know that leaving candles alone is
never a good idea. But did you also know that
buying cheap, inexpensive candles is also a
safety risk? When candles are made cheaply,
wicks can sometimes spark, glass jars may not
be tempered and may shatter if the candle burns
too low. It’s usually better to avoid the less
expensive candles in favor of a better quality
candle with a good reputation. But, regardless
of brand, all candles should be carefully watched.
Buy quality and burn properly
Good quality candles burn properly (not lopsided), burn cleanly and don’t smoke, and they burn longer than poor quality candles. Do pay particular attention to any candle not in a container, such as tapers or pillars. Burn pillars for short periods of time at first so they burn in the center and the sides don’t glop over. Bullfrog brand candles made in Charlevoix, Michigan offer some of the most beautiful candles you can buy. They’re famous for their “glowing” pillars and they’re my favorite ambience candle. When lit, the entire pillar glows from the inside. You can’t appreciate them without seeing them. Log onto tinyurl.com/fuu65 to view them.
Watch fragrance
Candles with fragrance can be overpowering and should only be used in a few locations where you want scents, such as a kitchen for baking-scented candles or a bedroom or bathroom for floral or other scented candles. A scented candle in the living room is nice, too. But when you want to decorate with candles, forgo the scent in favor of the effect and the look because the fragrance can be detracting. For instance, parties and dining are not enhanced by fragrant candles and the fragrance can interfere with the food and experience.
Do something different
Candles can add romance, ambience, drama, and a kind of charm that can only be achieved by the warm glow of a flickering flame. The problem with most candle use in decor is that they fall into a couple of standard routines. Decorating with candles often only consists of a few votives, two tapers on the formal dining room table, and a candle garden on a cocktail table. If this sounds like your candle scheme, try revamping your candle décor. This standard use of candles will likely inspire yawns instead of romance or ambience. Try some different candle uses to create some interest in your décor. You may find that you dine, bathe, or relax in candlelight more often and with more enjoyment.
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserveddle. The vase makes the pillar candle much more dramatic looking and the gravel at the bottom can catch drips.
Go for height.
Contact | Disclaimer | Reprints | eBook | Special ReportsTry using some tall candle stands to bring some drama to the corner of a living room or dining room. Imagine the beautiful romantic effect of two tall candle stands flanking a front door that will greet guests for your next dinner party. Log on to tinyurl.com/qy62j fll c©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
All rights reserved.anyour own with so
Candle Decorating Ideas
Use sconces in more than the dining room.
Candle sconces, often used in dining rooms, look wonderful in hallways and entryways, and bring lots of romance in the bedroom. Add them to a bathroom for romantic bubblebaths.
Take candlescapes off the cocktail table.
Try a candlescape or candle garden on the kitchen island or your informal dining area and light the candles during mealtimes or while you prepare a meal. Add candlescapes in the bedroom to the top of an armoire or dresser for a romantic effect.
Add mirrors.
Place mirrors wherever candles are to double the light and increase the dramatic effect. Flat mirror rounds are especially beautiful on a dining table with a cluster of pillar candles and small mirror rounds can be used as coasters for votives or pillars. Mirrors behind candle sconces are especially beautiful.
Use vases for pillars.
Candles are often placed in jars, but candles in vases are a unique twist. Take a tall vase, add some decorative stones or gravel to the bottom and add a tall pillar candle. The vase makes the pillar candle much more dramatic looking and the gravel at the bottom can catch drips.
Go for height.
Try using some tall candle stands to bring some drama to the corner of a living room or dining room. Imagine the beautiful romantic effect of two tall candle stands flanking a front door that will greet guests for your next dinner party. Log on to tinyurl.com/qy62j for some tall candle stands or make your own with some wooden railing or porch spindles from your hardware store.
