Home Decor Info

Candles

What role do candles play in your life? A candle may play a different role in your life today, tomorrow or the next day. Just how profoundly have candles affected human development functionally, culturally and spiritually?

Candles are used in seven out of 10 U.S. households. The majority of candle consumers burn candles between one and three times per week and burn one to two candles at a time. What elements constitute or define a candle? The essential elements of early candles were a wick, fuel and container or mount. Aromatherapy and colorants have become common editions to most modern candles. Candles have been used for thousands of years but until the 20th century, their essential and primary purpose was to provide artificial light.

Egyptians

Egyptians eventually used rush lights or torches. There was no wick involved in these early candles.

The people of the Roman Empire were the first to use candle wicks. Tallow did not burn cleanly.

Asian

The Japanese extracted wax from tree nuts to create candles. Early Indian cultures extracted wax from boiling cinnamon and created tapered candles. These candles were used in Indian Temples.

Middle Ages

Missionaries that eventually settled the southwestern United States boiled bark from the Cerio tree to extract wax for candle making. Spermaceti wax, a whale product that had a mild odor and was harder than both tallow and beeswax made candles available to more people. Many historians claim that the first “standard candles” were made using spermaceti wax.

Mass production came to candle making. Paraffin wax was invented. Eventually, stearic acid was added since it was discovered this ingredient in the original tallow candles was what maintained a higher melting point and produced a harder candle. The growth of the meatpacking and oil industries made candles a common necessity. In 1879, the electric light bulb was invented. However, history did not end for the development of the candle. Modern Chandlers (Candle Makers)

Internationally, paraffin remains the most popular candle fuel although the use of stearic wax is mostly practiced in Europe. However, technology continues to develop candles that offer new and more benefits. In 1992, after much testing Michael Richards made the first all vegetable candle wax which has developed into our modern soy candle. The versatility of this wax allows for use in both low-melt container candles and high temperature melt for free standing pillar candles.

Gel candles

The most recent state-of-the-art technology revolves around gel candles. Due to the clarity of the gel, these candles produce 40% more luminescence than regular paraffin wax. Modern chandlers turned artists, now produce beautiful collectibles in the form of embedded glass candle designs.

So…What role do candles play in your life?

Candles are a cultural, technical, artistic, therapeutic and spiritual expression of the finest moments in human evolution and experience.

Candle Magic

Candles have been used in home settings for centuries. Candles went from being exclusively for tabletop settings to more designer-oriented sconces and multi-candle wall displays.

Scented Candles

Scented candles are just wonderful for decorating your home. Scented candles, especially the ones made rich with scented oils, emit their aromatic fragrance whether lit or not.

Placing scented pillar candles or jar candles in hallways, bathrooms and even kitchens can help freshen the air and eliminate unwanted odors. These types of candles are offered in a myriad of fragrances, sizes and shapes to meet every candle lovers needs.

Dinner Candles

Long tapered candles on a dining room table are classic. However, the newest candle displays have taken a different twist. Having a dinner party?

Other Decorative Candles

There is a multitude of specialty candles and candleholders on the market. Whatever your taste in candles, you can almost be assured that a candle is designed with your decorating tastes in mind.

Candle Do’s and Don’ts

Uses for modern day candles are only restricted by one’s own imagination.

1. If you like grouping your candles, remember to match the scents of all the candles to avoid creating a combined scent that is either too strong or unpleasant.

2. Consider mixing like-scented candles with unscented candles in your grouping to help control the overall strength of the scent.

3. Never use scented candles on a dinner table.

4. Candles on a dining room table should always be smokeless.

5. Burning a scented candle in your bathroom, or “powder” room, will eliminate unpleasant odors.

6. Always burn your candles in a secure, fireproof holder made especially for candles.

7. If the candle holder is an open vessel, like a candle stick, always opt for dripless candles. 8. Don’t place your candles too close to flower arrangements. Candles have been known to wilt or ruin flowers if the flame overheats their petals.

Remember – always practice safe candle burning! Keep it safe and enjoy the magical benefits of decorating your home with candles!

Candle Wall Sconce

A candle wall sconce is one of the lighting accessories you will find in all lighting stores. For example, you can have a candle wall sconce made from wrought iron that holds three or four votive candles. You can also have a candle wall sconce that looks like an old-fashioned oil lamp.

Each candle wall sconce has a plate that attaches to the wall, while not holding the candleholder close to the wall. The wrought iron tealight candle holder sconce is a work of art and you can get this type of wall sconce in many different designs. When you use candle wall sconces to decorate your home, guests will ask the name of your interior decorator. You can also get these wrought iron candle holders that hold votive candles, taper and pillar candles.

A candle wall sconce is the perfect way to add accent lighting to any room of the home. If you prefer smaller candles, the wrought iron tealight candle holder sconce might be more to your liking.

If you really want to see what is available in candle wall sconces, try an online search. The Internet is your best source of a wrought iron, brass or pewter candle wall sconce.