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Posted on: January 7, 2008

Candle Land

Fan your creative flame throughout the house with subtle tealights, chunky pillars, scented candle jars or eco-friendly soy-wax blends

By Mary Fons
CTW Features

Add warmth and appeal to any room with an accent candle. Image courtesy Kohler Co.

When the temperature drops and frost crawls up the window, nothing warms up the home like a friendly, glowing candle. A thermostat helps, too.

Decorating with candles is easy, relatively inexpensive, and highly effective when you want to create a classy, toasty atmosphere.

“Consumers are searching for artistic and individualized choices when decorating their space. There is a demand for candles not only to burn, but to add to home décor and room ambience,” says Caroline Millan, owner of Flamebabe Candleworks, a candle-making company in Northbrook, Ill. started in 2004.

“Our homes are more than just a place to live these days – a home is a sanctuary, a place of refuge and inspiration, a nurturing place for body and spirit. Candles offer mystical illuminations that not only offer light; they can truly transform an atmosphere. From the simple act of meditation to setting the scene for a romantic dinner, the flame of a candle can inspire dreams, reflections or celebrations.”

If you want to achieve this level of transcendence (or just some romantic mood lighting), it’s essential that you begin with a quality candle. Says Millan, “Premium quality candles, which are properly designed, tested and wicked, offer beautiful and safe choices. You know you've purchased a premium candle when it does not emit black soot, a large flame or end up a lop-sided pillar.”

When you’re plunking down what seems like a lot of cash for a designer candle, console yourself with the fact that a quality candle is much safer than an inexpensive one you’d get at a dime store.

Sue Strick and Samantha Devine, a mother-daughter candle team in Princeton, Ill., who started Sweet As You Please, remind everyone of the importance of smart candle behavior. “Safety is key when burning a candle,” says Strick. “You never want to leave a candle burning unattended or in an inappropriate container. Candles should not be within reach of children, pets or flammable objects.” That means that anywhere Spot, Junior or your can of Aqua Net is, your candle is not.

The Strick-Devine duo has taken their love of quality candles and combined it with “green” candle-making methods to make candles that are safe, attractive, and eco-friendly. “Each one of our candles is hand-poured with our own unique soy wax blend, and contain cotton, lead-free wicks,” says Strick. “Our candles are not only a healthy choice to burn for the environment, but for you as well.” Both Flamebabe and Sweet As You Please offer consumers the opportunity to customize their candles, whether by choosing scents, colors, or size.

And for those out there whose experience with candles is limited to the waxy, strawberry-scented candle-in-a-jar variety, remember: You can bring your own style to candle decoration. “If a candle isn't pretty but smells great, put it in a closet or linen drawer to freshen,” says Millan. “Everyone's reaction to scent is different, what may smell awesome to you may be a turn-off to your friend, so be kind! If in doubt when it comes to gift-giving, choose a lovely unscented candle or unscented tea-lights with an attractive tea-light candle holder.”

Whatever your candle choice, rest assured that, when safely lit and maintained, your gently flickering flame will have a positive effect on your home atmosphere. “Candles have been around for many centuries and people have never lost their fascination with them,” say Strick and Devine. “They may be used to celebrate, morn, exhilarate, relax, or romance. With their flickering flame and enticing fragrance, they're a natural at setting any mood desired.”