Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish your décor needs. Take advantage of the sparkling colors, rich textures, and fresh scents of candles without draining your decorating budget.
Some candles are best unadorned, but candleholders offer an additional opportunity to highlight their presence and beauty. You don't have to burn the candles; you can use them as objects d'art, incorporating them into displays, floral arrangements and centerpieces-alone as an accent piece, or in a grouping as a focal point.
Typical candles no longer exist-they belong to a bygone era. Tapers gave way to thick and varied heights long ago. Today, you'll find square candles, heart-shaped candles, fruit and vegetable candles, gingerbread candles, floral candles, Christmas tree and ornament candles, and candles with artistic free-flowing shapes. Within that variety of shapes, you'll find an endless array of adornments, such as beads and glitter, straw, botanicals embedded in the wax, still life scenes, etc.
Color, Shape and Texture
Today's candles come in a wide variety of hues and shades, and many add the dimension of shape and texture to their composition. Marbled, frosted, and sculptured candles are widely available in a selection of sizes, shapes and prices-ranging from votives to thick, oversized candles.
If your living areas are frozen in time with a monochromatic color scheme-you know the rooms we mean, they looked oh-so-good on paper until you lived in them for a month-use candles to rescue you from the monotony without the expense of redecorating. Marbled candles are a quick and easy way to work complementary or harmonizing color into the room.
If your home utilizes color well, but lacks excitement, accessorize with textured candles to add pizzazz to the room. Position the candles to create a focal point or to add just the right accent. Marbled candles incorporate several hues and shades of the same color, and variegated candles can tie all of the colors in your décor together.
Sculptured candles provide a warm substitute for expensive knickknacks and require a minimum of space. Add smaller sculptured candles to guest bathrooms along with guest hand towels and guest soaps. It's the attention to detail that rolls out the welcome mat for guests and creates the ambiance of a memorable stay.
If you've never used anything but wax candles, try one of the new gel candles. Gel candles are translucent and their shimmering glow is irresistible to the eye. You'll find gel candles ready to display in their own attractive glass containers.
Candles and Fragrance
Scented and aromatherapy candles make an excellent choice for the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Consider odor-neutralizing scented candles a necessity for the kitchen when you entertain. They serve triple duty by quickly neutralizing cooking odors, adding a pleasant scent and a touch or warmth. Larger scented candles often include interesting texture, shape and color variation.
Candleholders and Display Options
If you use your patio as a three-season outdoor room, float citronella votives in water on the patio for a lily-pads-in-the-pond effect. You'll scare away the mosquitoes and other flying irritants at the same time. Place all citronella candles a few feet from the table so that you don't run off the guests along with the insects.
Votive holders have blossomed into every imaginable shape, including butterflies, bejeweled beveled glass holders, and seascape holders. Many of the votive designs are ideally suited for an outdoor environment.
Hurricane lamps add light and atmosphere to the outdoor table in the evening. Eve lights can produce harsh lighting, and hurricane lamps provide enough light to see without detracting from the atmosphere. When selecting a candleholder for outdoor use, it's important to select one that shields the flame from the wind, and hurricane lamps provide ample protection from the wind.
If you haven't seen the newer tea lamp candleholders, you're not going to believe your eyes. These candleholders are every bit as elaborate and intricate as their electrical counterparts. If you prefer the formal look of a chandelier, consider a chandelier candleholder for a soft, diffused light. The next time a storm or tornado blows through your area, leaving you without electricity, tea lamp, hurricane and chandelier candleholders will be ready and waiting.
Whatever your décor, imaginative use of candles and candleholders allows you to change your décor as often as you change your mood.
M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for candle holders and candles in general. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.
I read an interior design book last night. Since I... Read More
The feng shui bagua map is an octagonal shaped map... Read More
Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You... Read More
My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is... Read More
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new... Read More
Tiles can increase the value of any home. Ceramic tiles,... Read More
Maybe you've faced it before ? a new house with... Read More
The purpose of a home ventilation system is to maintain... Read More
Anyone with older aluminum siding is well aware of the... Read More
One of the simplest ways to start planning your bathroom... Read More
A router bit is a tool for woodworking giving a... Read More
If the sliding glass doors in your home are more... Read More
Besides providing your home with more living space, a home... Read More
Creating a Designer Home With LightingTraditionally, spring is the time... Read More
Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is... Read More
They're affordable and come in a wide variety of styles... Read More
There are many styles of picnic tables on the market,... Read More
A drill press, also known as a pillar drill, is... Read More
Throughout the ages, colors have been used to evoke certain... Read More
Asphalt paving or Hot Mix Asphalt is typically what one... Read More
Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on... Read More
Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to... Read More
In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for... Read More
Want to improve the look of your property? Want to... Read More
Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to... Read More
The quest for more living space these days means making... Read More
In addition to causing destruction, water damage also has an... Read More
Razing the CottageWith new house plans and permits in hand,... Read More
You'll be amazed at how much free money you can... Read More
Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can... Read More
You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so... Read More
Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look... Read More
From a riot of color in bold chintzes to the... Read More
Planning a bathroom remodel? Each home project of this nature... Read More
While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood... Read More
In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant must undergo a change... Read More
Lighting is such a critical part of any home improvement... Read More
If the sliding glass doors in your home are more... Read More
Heat your pool with a Solar Pool Heater and save... Read More
Interior design for bargain hunters is the new fashionable item... Read More
The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of... Read More
Ideas for interior design are a dime a dozen these... Read More
The roof has had many different innovations in regards to... Read More
Interior remodeling can have an amazing impact on the look... Read More
Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge... Read More
Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery... Read More
The first discovered carpet dates back to 1480 BC in... Read More
It's hard to damage and easy to care for laminate... Read More
Even if you've never been involved in the sale of... Read More
Many industrial concerns have workshops of their own. For the... Read More
Believe it or not, landscaping can be an important part... Read More
A well-decorated room can still lack personality. To give your... Read More
There are many different types of light bulbs. Each has... Read More
Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started banning the use... Read More
Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on... Read More
Granite countertops are among the most beautiful things you can... Read More
It was only a few years ago that Real Estate... Read More
Hand hooked rugs are a great way to add splendor... Read More
"Beverly Hills. Swimming pools. Movie stars."That line from the theme... Read More
Selecting a Persian rug can be a daunting task for... Read More
This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More
Since it's one of the places people spend the most... Read More
If your toilet is old and in need of repairs,... Read More
Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care... Read More
In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for... Read More
Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy... Read More
Home Improvement |