CANDLES PROVIDE A WELCOMING & COZY ATMOSPHERE

The first two things I do when I get up every morning is to make a cappuccino and light a few candles.  I started this routine about 20 years ago when I would always light a  candle near the kitchen sink in the bay window of our first home.  There is something about the glow of the candle that makes a gloomy or a cold day not feel so dreary (although I admit, I light candles even on warm sunny days).  Candles provide a welcoming, cozy, romantic atmosphere.    As you would probably guess, I have accumulated a large collection of candle holders over the years, and I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

This is one of a pair of wrought iron candlesticks.  I made the candles with beeswax and a German candle mold.  These candles look so beautiful as they burn down as the ribbed sphere becomes hollowed out and the outside ribs remain and the glow of the candle shines through.

When not in use, these candlesticks add to my display of antique books and baskets in my small study.

In the above photo, I used an old English breadboard for the base along with a heavy hand blown glass hurricane.

I often light the candles on this candelabra which is placed between two Hessian soldiers  in our living room fireplace.

I purchased this fabulous wrought iron fire tool holder along with a few tools that hung off the  round raised edge on the top.  Originally, the top had a handle to lift this holder.  I had the handle removed so that I could use it as a candle holder while I am not using it to hold the tools as seen in the photo below to the left of the fireplace.

A Simon Pearce hand blown Heartland hurricane sits on the living room coffee table.  I often use antique glass celery vases as hurricanes.  It is always reassuring when you have a candle burning in a hurricane in the event you forgot to blow it out. You can see the above mentioned fire tool holder converted to a candle holder against the wall to the left of the fireplace.  

One of a pair of wrought iron French sconces I purchased in France ten years ago.

This is a charming hand painted honey pot that was missing its lid.  It makes a great votive holder next to my kitchen sink.

I converted this German Black Forest cockerel with two ink wells into a candle holder.  It makes a great breakfast table display.

I really loved the patina on this 19th Century brass push up candlestick.

A pair of Tiffin black satin glass candlesticks.

The glass candlestick is by Val St. Lambert.  To the right of the glass candle holder, notice the small wine bottle which has been filled with candle oil and a fitted top to provide candelight.

I really like this pair of fabulous French candlesticks that I purchased in England.  They were originally gilt, but it has worn off as you can see by the photos.

While living in England, I would drive by a florist shop that had this wonderful Russian Tree of Life always lit up in the window.  I admired it for months, but it was a little more than I wanted to spend.  A few days before Christmas, I came home to find this fabulous Tree of Life displayed in my family room with a red satin ribbon.  My dear friend, Lillian, had purchased it and gave it to me for Christmas.  This tree sits in a paneled bay area in our hallway, and I love it as much as I did the first day I saw it in the window of the florist shop.

I purchased this wonderful meat stand decorated with little Harrods trucks while living in England.   I sometimes use it as the base for a round plate. 

There is something very special about fine hand blown glass, and these Steuben candlesticks are certainly a favorite of mine.

Once again, I converted these old 19th century French wine bottles into candles.

This sculptural French candelabra has such great lines I just couldn't resist it.

This candelabra is a memento from the first Goodwill antique show I participated in when I moved to Michigan.  I spotted this candelabra as a dealer was taking it out of his boxes to set it out for his display, so I immediately snatched it.  This candelabra has made a great addition to our entrance.

Do you have a favorite candle holder?  Have you converted something else you have into a candle holder?   While I used to purchase Pottery Barn candles, I believe they changed suppliers about 18 months ago.  Some candles like the new Pottery Barn candles, burn a hole down the center of the candle so if you are burning a pillar, you can not see the flame.  I have found Crate & Barrel's pillars burn the same with the hole down the center of the candle.  I have had good luck with Root, Tag Chapel Candles, Tommy Bahama and Creative Candles.  What is your favorite brand of candle?