Candle art and seasonal scents
A grouping of aromatic treasures, an etched mercury candle pot, scented candles, pinecone potpourri and a bottle of diffuser with the fresh scent of new Christmas trees from Pottery Barn invite the holidays into your home.
Introduce wall-mounted candle sconces to your decor for an unbeatable rustic touch.
The comforts of home are never so meaningful as when daylight is in short supply and the cool weather moves in. Holiday traditions offer occasions to enjoy the company of our friends and loved ones, and we take the time to layer our rooms with at least a few extra welcoming items. Whether I am setting up for a party or simply preparing for a quiet night on my own, there are certain rituals that make this time of year special. Lighting the fire tops the list, and along with that I enjoy creating candle vignettes, which look festive whether they are lit or not.
Before I go any further, I learned my lesson years ago, and I must
reiterate: Do NOT ever leave candles or a fire unattended. That being said, there are safe ways to employ candlelight, dating back forever.
Wall-mounted candle sconces and chandeliers in styles including the forged look of cast aluminum shown here from Pottery Barn have a traditional, rustic character. You can mount two flanking a dining room buffet, or hang a mix of sconces that combine hurricane lanterns, pillar and taper candles and votive holders. I think of this as candle art.
For table settings, look for unique candlesticks at auctions or yard sales. Quirky shapes in silver or brass with tapered candles look magnificent on a dining or side table surrounding an old-fashioned bouquet of red roses or carnations displayed in an antique bowl.
You can find the crisp, aromatic scents of winter, from forest evergreens to clove and cinnamon spices in beautifully fashioned pillar candles and candle pots, potpourri and diffusers. Make up a winter scene with small wooden reindeer, artificial boughs, pinecones and red berries. Faux candles lit from within by LED lights have been cleverly crafted to give the flickering ambiance and glow of candlelight. They are safe and child-friendly. Try mixing real and faux candle power to get the best of both.
Q. We live in a small bungalow, and the kitchen cabinetry is quite extensive. It is solid oak, so I hate to remove it. The appliances and light fixtures are white to offset the heaviness. What I would like to change is the beveled arch at the top of each of the cabinet doors. Any suggestions on how to do this? – Sandra
A. Your cabinets are in good condition, so I can understand why you do not want to replace them. However, the beveled insets, which include the top arch, are a dominant feature of the doors. It sounds like you would prefer clean lines so that the kitchen does not feel so busy. You could fill in the frame space around each inset with spackle, it will take a few applications to build up the height, and it won’t be easy to make the new surface smooth and seam-free. Then the doors will have to be primed and painted. This entails a lot of work, and I don’t think it would give you the results you are looking for. It would be simpler to replace the doors with a style you prefer. You mentioned changing the hardware; keep in mind that the style of the new handles should complement the doors you have – wrought iron rather than flat or shiny silver is best.
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