Pairing Candles With Root Wood
The right candle makes a root-wood holder look better, and the wrong one makes a mess. A few simple guidelines.
Pick a candle that behaves quietly. The wood is already doing plenty.
Summary
- Our candleholders are designed around a pillar candle sitting on a turned plate.
- Choose a candle that fits the plate and has a clean, steady burn.
- Neutral colors and natural wax suit the wood best.
Key takeaways
- Fit matters: a candle that is too large looks awkward and burns poorly.
- Simple, unscented or lightly scented candles keep attention on the piece.
- Warm white and cream tones complement the pale wood.
A candleholder is only half of a pair. The candle itself changes how the piece looks, and how it behaves over an evening.
Start with the fit
Our pieces are designed for a pillar candle on a turned plate at the top. A pillar candle stands on its own, with no cup or tube, so the plate has to be a good size for it. A candle that is much wider than the plate will overhang and look unbalanced. One that is much narrower can look lost.
Check the details of the piece you choose in the archive. They describe the intended candle size, and some pieces use a 2.5-inch pillar.
Pick a clean burn
Pillar candles can drip or burn unevenly, especially cheaper ones. A good pillar candle burns down in a steady, even pool. Look for one made of quality wax, and trim the wick before lighting.
Because the plate is wood, avoid candles that leave pools of liquid wax at the edge. A candle with a well-formed burn keeps the wax contained, and the plate stays clean.
Color and scent
The wood is pale and warm, with dark streaks. Candles in white, cream, or soft ivory suit it best. Dark or brightly colored candles compete with the streaks.
On scent, I lean toward either unscented or very lightly scented. A strong fragrance can overpower a quiet room, and it tends to compete with the smell of the wood and beeswax finish. If you enjoy scent, keep it subtle.
Height and proportion
A candle that is too tall can make the whole assembly top-heavy. As a rule of thumb, the candle should look comfortable beside the body of the piece, neither dwarfing it nor disappearing into it. Try a few heights and step back.
Use common sense about safety
Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep it away from curtains and other flammable things. We go into detail in Burning Candles Safely in Wood Holders.
A small experiment
If you are unsure, borrow a few candles of different sizes and try them one evening. You will find that one of them feels right almost immediately. It is a bit like choosing a frame for a picture, and the answer usually becomes obvious when you see it.
Common questions
What size candle fits?
Our pieces are designed around a pillar candle on a turned plate. Check each piece's details for the intended size.
Should I use scented candles?
Light or no scent works best, so the aroma does not compete with the wood and the room.
Keep reading
Every piece is one of one.
Browse the specimen archive and acquire the piece that speaks to you. Each is catalogued once and sold once.