This weekend was full of those little surprises that I just love. It started on Saturday morning with Color & Candlelight with Eddie Ross. The event was held at Gracious Home in Chelsea and sponsored by Creative Candles – so it was no surprise that the bulk of the chat centered colored candles.
Eddie gave great tips for updating so many looks with such a simple and inexpensive trick.
Colored candles are a great way to make your rooms, parties, you name it look magazine ready in no time. All with the simple swap from a white taper (or votive or pillar) to colored. They are cheaper than new pillows and can last longer than fresh flowers.
I particularly loved his idea of placing a big group of candles of differing heights on a coffee table or even just a single – a bit of instant drama, and a way to show off more candlesticks that are likely hiding in a hutch.
And a quick way to modernize antique candlesticks? Add a fun colored candle, and then set them inside a straight-sided hurricane (like this pic from Martha Stewart).
Being someone who is not necessarily color-shy, but seriously in love with neutrals, it’s a great trick. A quick pink taper on any candlestick (brass perhaps), and voila – instant spice!
With the colored candles (as seen on the table here), they really do help your eye continue to move up, in a way that white candles wouldn’t.
And so even though there may be a bit more color on the table than I would use at home (change the patterned overlay to maybe a smaller runner – I would want the food to shine through a bit too), I can’t wait to get more color in such a simple way. (And did you notice the candlesticks on Eddie’s table are brass? It’s popping up everywhere!)
We have more tips from Eddie coming up, but in the meantime, I thought a GIVEAWAY is in order.
I snagged some of these great candles, and thought that maybe you should have some too!!
Just leave a comment about how you would use colored candles and what color you like best (options below) and I will pick a winner at random. The winner of a pair of 7/8″ x 18″ tapers will be picked May 1, so all entries must be in by then.
Good luck and I can’t wait to hear everyone’s favorite color!
8 comments
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April 26, 2010 at 4:38 am
Kinzie
Hi Caitlin! I just stumbled across your blog about a week ago and have been going through all the archives and bookmarking ideas I like. I must say, those EGGPLANT candles would be a delight to have — my boyfriend and I are about to move back to America from France and we have found an apartment that is already painted in lovely vibrant colors. A yellow living room/bedroom, a red dining room/kitchen, and a turquoise-blue bathroom. I have always loved the purple/yellow combination, and eggplant is our favorite vegetable to create meals with, so I think it’s perfect for us!
Keep writing! I love your blog.
April 26, 2010 at 7:10 am
Becky
I’m so jealous you went on Saturday! I should have gone…regardless I’m going to live vicariously. I think I need some hot pink or pale blue/turquoise ones. I’m still trying to decide!
April 27, 2010 at 9:09 am
Eddie Ross
Hi Caitlin,
It was so much fun spending the weekend with you!!! Thank you for your sweet post! Jaithan and I look forward to seeing you soon in NYC or SF! xo
Eddie + Jaithan
April 27, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Jenni
Hi Caitlin – many beautiful colors. We are hoping to make some changes downstairs and so new candles would be the perfect final touch! I am looking at lime green or cinnabar. Thank you and keep blogging.
April 27, 2010 at 8:53 pm
katie
Wow those colours are great!!! they are lovely for spring
i think my fav would have to be the spring green one. perfect for spring time haha and not just because sping is in its name^^
April 27, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Raelynn
Ooh, I think my fav is Mango. I am really liking orange these days, and I do have oranges, browns and golds in my living room. Question? I have always heard that you should burn the wick of even a decorator candle just a bit. Something about it being tacky, or maybe just bad karma, to have an unburned candle. Your insight, Caitlin?
April 28, 2010 at 4:23 pm
caitlindentino
I have always heard that too – something my mom always told me growing up. I never knew the reason and never questioned it, and since it seemed to be what others did too, it just made sense to me.
But I did a bit of research for you Raelynn and there isn’t much out there. There is a bit of info along the lines that a lit candle will light easier (so if you are trying to light a bunch before dinner, you won’t get stopped on one) but other than that, I couldn’t find much. I’ll keep pre-lighting my candles though, as anything else just looks silly. And if I ever find the history behind it all (Mrs. Post didn’t have it), I will definitely let you know! xxo
April 30, 2010 at 10:33 am
Kelly
I have beautiful candle sticks and have never though to actually buy candles for them until now. So many great colors, I want them all. Gives me (with the help of Caitlin’s ideas and food pairings) so many great entertaining inspirations. For me the color would depend on the occasion, however, to have as a “go to” I think I would use the watermelon, paired with a white, blue or any color really could be great for any occasion! Recently I was given a lovely non-gender specific baby shower and the colors used for the invitations were the watermelon with blues and it was perfect!