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Decorating With Candles
Candles are intrinsically connected to many events in our lives, such as birthdays, holiday dinners and religious celebrations. Recently, however, candles have become a part of our everyday lives adding warmth, style and mood to every room in your home. Here are some decorating ideas:
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- Combine candles of uniform color or varying shades of one color in a variety of shapes and widths, using a unique combination of candle holders. This display can look wonderful even when the candles aren't lit.
- Try different size tapers in a direct line down the center of the table, spaced three inches apart in order of height (put a tall candle in the center with shorter ones going down the line on each side).
- Fill a crystal bowl with water and add a few floating candles for a romantic centerpiece -- the cut crystal will magnify the glow of the candles. When a smaller decoration is needed, put one floating candle in a wine glass filled with water.
- Make a centerpiece by placing a column candle in a pottery bowl and surrounding the base of the candle with smooth stones, or try using a porcelain bowl and surrounding the candle with faux pearls.
- Turn your fireplace into a "candleplace" by filling it with candles. Vary the height with bricks or stone blocks to create the atmosphere of a glowing flame. This is great to do in the spring and summer when it is too warm to light a fire.
- Try asymmetry for a new look. Put different sized tapers together at one end of your mantel. Change the colors and fragrances as the seasons and your moods change. Tapers are an ideal and inexpensive way to change your decor often.
- While you can turn the average dinner into a celebration with candlelight, it is often best to use unscented candles so that the aromas of the meal can fill the air. Instead of using fragranced candles, choose those that match your china and use unique candle holders.
- Decor Amour -- Stumped for an anniversary gift? Tired of giving blenders at wedding showers? Create a candle-lit dinner for two. Line a picnic-style basket with linen napkins, two crystal champagne flutes, elegant brass or silver candle holders, and long, romantic tapers.
- Try a 30-minute escape right in your own bathtub! Draw a bath, pour a cup of herbal tea, light a candle or two in your favorite scent, and escape the hassles of everyday life in the flicker of candlelight.
Finally, remember the following safety tips: Lighted candles should always be within sight. Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Keep candles away from drafts. Trim wicks to 1/4 inch and keep wax pools free of wick trimmings, matches or other debris. Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
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Candlescaping
Another popular and easy way to bring the look of fall inside is through candlescaping. At its most basic, multiple candles can be displayed on a large platter. Taken to the extreme, it can be an entire room filled with decorative candles of varying heights, sizes and shapes, filling the space with soft, warm light, creating a cozy environment for your family.
“Candlescaping is more than just scattering a few pillars around; it's creating a mood or telling a story using texture, scent, color and light. The candle aisles of your local Michaels store are filled with beautiful pillars, tapers and tea lights in every imaginable size, shape, color and scent, allowing you to develop a look that fits your own personal style,” says Byrne.
To create a more unique look with candles, some people use stencils and paint to decorate the candles with seasonal motifs. Fall leaves, English ivy and pumpkins make great accents this time of year.
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Pillars, balls and other pre-made candles can be rolled in melted paraffin or beeswax and then rolled in a decorative coating such as Lavender buds, Oatmeal, Coffee beans, Lemongrass, Blue poppy seeds, Candle sand, Calendula petals, Hibiscus petals etc.
Decorate bases with sculpted shapes: Mix 2 lbs of beeswax with 3 oz of petroleum jelly and color. This wax will be pliable for sculpting purposes.
Paint the base with painting wax made of 4 parts beeswax, 1 part turpentine and candle dye. Allow the paint to sit for a few days to evaporate the turpentine. Overdip your painted candle with clear wax.
Pour colored wax into sheets and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes to decorate plain bases with.
Cover the base with whipped wax and insert decorations if desired. Whipped wax can be made by mixing 1 lb. of melted beeswax with 1 tsp turpentine and some dye and whipping until semi cool. Spread onto base with a spatula.
You can dip leaves and petals or cutout paper in clear wax and adhere to the surface of the base. Overdip the completed candle to protect the stick-ons.
You can create beautiful candles by overpouring a base. Place the base in a container slightly larger than the base. Fill the space around the candle with flowers, shells, nuts etc. and then pour a mixture of high melting point wax with 10% microcrystalline. Do not use stearic acid as it will opacify the wax. Top off with more wax if it shrinks down as it cools.