The Old Accessory You’re Seeing Everywhere

Is it just me, or has the world gone candle-crazy. Not just scented candles, which have always been a mainstay, but especially dinner candles- the type that used to grace my grandma’s dining table.

After decades of being old-fashioned at worst, and an afterthought at best, taper candles are everywhere. They’re popping up in Architectural Digest photo spreads. The New York Times is opining on the best ones to buy, websites like House Beautiful and The Spruce are telling you where to put them and how to style them. Influencers like Chris Loves Julia are creating droll-worthy dining scenes dotted with candles.

For good reason- candles are an easy way to add ambience and character to your decor, and easy to switch out for seasons or occasions. Lighting a candle is a personal act, and can stir a variety of emotions like romance, excitement and even grief. For the thoughtfully decorated interior, candles can make a big statement with a small commitment- change the colors or the holders without modifying the whole space.

Image credit: Chris Loves Julia

I added a crystal set to my wedding registry over a decade ago- only to never use them. A few years ago when we bought our first house, I accented the mantel with a set of quirky black candlesticks, but never added candles. Now, I’m wondering where my fancy ones are (most likely, my in-laws’ house), because I’m dreaming of candlelight vignettes.

Perhaps because they’re the best-selling item at Anacua House, I’ve gone candle-crazy. If you’re wondering how to add them to your décor, here’s a few tips for a modern presentation of these old favorites:

The Candles:

Keep the look updated with vibrant colors or interesting textures. At Anacua House, we went the vibrant colors route, opting for a German-made, straight-sided dinner candle with minimal dripping. Arranged in a single color or a palette of complementary hues, the commitment to bold color makes the look fresh.

Beware of extremely textured or twisted candles- these often create more drips, and should be reserved for easy-to-clean surfaces.

The Candleholders:

The key a fresh look is to skip the traditional candelabra in favor of a nouveau shape, or even a series of single-candle candlestick holders. Choose ones with curvy or geometric shapes like our Sway brass candleholders or a minimal profile like our Veda or Como marble candleholders. Mix and match several shapes for an artistic, maximalist look.

The Prep:

Anchor your candles in the holder to help keep them upright and minimize dripping. You can try one of several tricks:

• Melt the bottom of your candle and press it into the holder.
• Buy candle adhesive like this one to keep your candles firmly in place.
• Try wrapping a thin rubber band around the base of the candle to help it fit the candleholder tightly.

Add them to the usual places like dining tables and fireplace mantels—you can also try arranging a few on your entry table, bar cart, dresser, or kitchen island.  Tag #anacuahouse on any gorgeous photos you create with ours.