Brighten your home…

…with the warm glow of candles

L.E. Klein
   A soft light dances at the corner of a computer screen, fracturing against the monitor glass into thousands of sparks of warmth. A hint of cinnamon and lemon verbena drifts on the drafts in the room. Your mind begins to wander.
   It’s true — just light two scented votive candles and even the grimmest home office becomes a more inviting and magical place. The transforming power of candles — from tiny votives to massive, 10-pound pillars — is getting more attention in the home decorating world in recent years. A new generation of aromatherapy enthusiasts, simple-living buffs and California electricity customers are rediscovering the charm and utility of this age-old light source.
   But beyond placing candles on the dinner table, stand or mantelpiece, many home decorators come up short. That’s where Wally Arnold steps in, with his lavishly illustrated "Illuminations: Living by Candlelight." Mr. Arnold runs a shop by that name dealing in everything candlelight, and has brought his expertise to the public. Important in your search for the right way to use candlelight in your home is appreciating the deeper significance of candles, Mr. Arnold says.
   "Candlelight is a tool that we are connected to at our deepest levels," he writes. "You can transform your meals, your bath, your bedroom, your garden, and your relationships when you bathe and nurture them in candlelight."
   Mr. Arnold divides his book into sections based on parts of the home: table, living room, bedroom, bath, "sanctuary" and outdoor spaces. The sanctuary chapter brings together Arnold’s themes with suggestions for creating sacred, shrinelike spaces in the home for contemplation and relaxation. Get this effect by placing a dozen votives in a small tray near a favorite statue or piece of art. Or combine candles and incense, or a sprig of sage.
   A good start to your decorating project is to invest in the best candles you can find. Look for candles made from purified paraffin wax or unbleached beeswax without chemical additives. Make sure aromatherapy candles are made from natural oils and extracts. Also make sure to trim the wick carefully on all candles to¼ inch to prevent smoking. Beware of European- or Asian-made candles with wicks containing lead. Test for lead by rubbing the wick against paper — if it leaves a pencil-like mark, it contains toxic lead. Decorating with candlelight doesn’t have to be expensive, Mr. Arnold said.
   Cheap tea lights shed a festive glow scattered around a dinner table or on surfaces around a room. Get the most out of your candles by letting them burn for extended periods of time, Mr. Arnold advises. Unless they burn for several hours, pillar candles tend to create deep craters around the wick that shorten the life of your candle.
   The following are tips for using candlelight:
   • Safety first: Never leave candles unattended, or in reach of small children and pets. Don’t place candles too close to flammable objects, in a drafty place or too close to one another. Pillar candles should be at least 2 inches apart.
   • Creative holders: With safety always in mind, try new ways of setting off candlelight. Drinking glasses, teacups, antique coasters, small wire baskets, vases — all can be beautiful candleholders.
   • Mix it up: Try candles in teardrop or geometric shapes, and mix them in with traditional pillars and votives for an unusual display.
   • Make your own holders: Ask the family artist to design holders or a candelabra for you in clay or another medium. Martha Stewart types can fashion their own from hollowed citrus fruits, seashells or pumpkins.
   • Placement: Highlight your guests’ faces at a dinner party with candles of varying heights. Flowers look their best in candlelight — try placing votives or tea lights near a favorite arrangement.
   • Location: Place candles near glazed ceramics, leather furniture and mirrors for interesting reflections and play of light. Try pillar candles of varying heights in an unused fireplace.
   • Water sports: Place floating candles in a bathtub, a brass pot outdoors or a shallow bowl on a table for special effects.
   • Cover up: Place candles in holders covered by iridescent mesh, seashells or tinted glass for a softer glow.
   • Lights out: The best way to extinguish a candle is with a snuffer, but Mr. Arnold offers a low-cost option. Just put two fingers out sideways in front of the candle, about an inch from the flame. Blow on your fingers, and the air will jump over your fingers and safely snuff out the flame.