Candles make a nice ambiance

Thu., Dec. 22, 2005

Virginia Roberson The Tennessean

Candles add a warm glow to any home at any time of year. So, whether you’re planning an elaborate meal or a casual celebratory gathering of family and friends, consider using candles to enhance your winter decor.

“No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, candles just make your guests feel special,” says interior designer Angela DeYoung. “They set the tone that you’re going to sit down and settle in for some nice conversation.”

She suggests placing little votives on the front stairs to welcome guests into your home. If you don’t have any stairs, try incorporating candles into your entranceway. “And if you have a centerpiece, burn the candles at least once to give them life,” she says. “Lifeless, unburned wicks are not attractive.”

Designer Beth Haley enjoys placing candles in water for a floating display or using a cake stand for a holiday candle centerpiece.

“Placing your votives in a single row at the center of your dining table can look very elegant,” she says. “My advice is to be consistent with your size and colors of candles and keep it simple. If your centerpiece is too jumbled, you lose that elegant effect.”

An asymmetrical approach can work, too, she notes, if it’s not overly busy. “You can have an asymmetrical display of only five different candles, and it can look great.”

When creating centerpieces, designer Deborah Burnett advises using candles that are harmonious in size, color and scent. For an asymmetrical look, use candles of the same size placed at different elevations.

“Candles are one of your best design tools,” says Burnett, a former spokeswoman for the National Candle Association and spokeswoman for the American Society of Interior Designers. “Most people don’t realize that design tools are geometric elements that have shape, color, texture, width, height and girth. And candles go an extra step: They also have scent.”

She notes colors such as red, amber and orange blend well. When using scented candles, she says, it’s important to be sure the aroma is compatible with a particular room’s decor and atmosphere.

Consider using unscented candles in the dining room, DeYoung suggests. She thinks too much fragrance from scented candles can interfere with the aroma of the food.

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