Transform Your Space with Candles: Expert Tips from a Designer and a Candle Maker Shan of The Prospect Project
As a designer, candles are one of my go-to styling elements for creating inviting and harmonious spaces. More than just a simple light source, candles can transform a room's entire atmosphere. With their soft, warm glow and enticing fragrances, they’re versatile decor pieces that can uplift your home's mood and style.
To explore this in greater depth, I recently sat down with Shan, the creative force behind The Prospect Project and a self-proclaimed "wax accountant." Shan is one of my Favourite candle makers in Perth, and together, we are sharing expert insights on how to select and style candles to breathe new life into any space.
Here are some of Shan’s best-kept secrets, paired with my design tips, to help you use candles to enhance your home’s style and ambience.
When decorating with candles, there's so much more to it than just lighting them up. It's about infusing your space with warmth, charm, and a touch of your personality. Candles are like pieces of affordable art that can instantly elevate any room without breaking the bank. The real magic happens when you play around with different shapes, sizes, and colours to create a look that's uniquely yours. And let's not overlook the power of scent! Choosing a fragrance that resonates with your mood or style can genuinely transform the ambience of your space.
Pro tip: Matching the candle’s colour to your existing decor can add visual interest to plain surfaces and tie the room together. Shan says, "Every room deserves a candle," and we couldn’t agree more—there’s something about the soft glow of a candle that makes a space feel complete.
Overall Styling & Selection Tips:
Matching Scents to Rooms: Choosing the perfect scent is crucial in setting the right atmosphere. In living areas, go for warm, welcoming fragrances like vanilla, sandalwood, or amber to create a cozy, relaxed mood. For bathrooms, opt for fresh, clean scents such as eucalyptus, mint, or sea salt to turn them into a spa-like oasis.
Take Shan’s best-selling "Perth" candle, for example. With its fresh coastal vibe, it's a clean, masculine scent that's a hit for locals and visitors. While sweet scents may not be Shan's favourite, she keeps her offerings fresh and exciting for her customers.
Strategic Candle Placement for Impact: It's not just about the candles themselves – where you place them is equally important. For a more intimate and inviting setting, position candles in the darker corners of the room to gently illuminate those areas. Candlelight can also highlight architectural features, such as a fireplace, or draw attention to artwork, adding depth and intrigue to your space.
Use Candles to Highlight Architectural Details: Strategic candle placement can bring architectural features like built-in bookshelves, exposed brick walls, or intricate moulding to life. Placing candles on top of a fireplace or inside a non-working hearth can accentuate the room's focal point while adding a warm glow that enhances the design.
Think Vertically: Don’t limit your candle placement to flat surfaces. Consider using wall-mounted candle sconces or holders to add vertical interest. This works particularly well in smaller spaces, drawing the eye upward and adding light to areas that might not otherwise be illuminated. Wall sconces in dark corners can create an elegant, dramatic effect, elevating the room's ambience.
Maximize the Reflection of Light: Mirrors and metallic surfaces are a candle's best friend. Placing candles near a large wall mirror or against metallic decor can double the impact of the light, making the space feel larger. A cluster of candles reflected in a mirror on a mantel or sideboard doubles the glow and creates an illusion of depth in the room, making it all the more inviting.
Additional Info From Shan:
Want to ensure your candles burn longer and more evenly? Shan’s top tip is to trim the wick before each burn. "It only takes a few seconds but makes a world of difference," she says. Trimming the wick helps the candle burn more efficiently and prevents issues like uneven melting or an oversized flame. This small step can significantly extend the life of your candle, allowing you to enjoy it longer while maintaining its quality.
Sustainability matters today, and Shan’s commitment to eco-friendly practices shines through at The Prospect Project. The company offers a jar buy-back program, encouraging customers to return used jars for a discount on their next purchase. These jars are sterilised and reused, helping to reduce waste. Shan has also moved towards box-less packaging, further minimising the environmental footprint of her products. This thoughtful approach extends through the entire production process, including design options that keep dust out while eliminating unnecessary packaging materials.
Trend Alert: Refillable candles and sand-wick designs are gaining popularity among candle lovers looking to stay on trend. These innovative, eco-conscious options offer a fresh way to enjoy candles while being mindful of the environment. You heard it here first—it may be something that The Prospect Project and Selene Interiors are collaborating on (stay tuned).
Shan’s advice for those new to the world of candles? "Trust your gut. If you like a scent, go for it. There’s no right or wrong—follow what feels right."
Pictured are our customized candles by The Prospect Project, which our clients receive as gifts during our Initial Consultations
Make sure to remember Selene Interiors' ethos when selecting Candles for your space:
"YOUR SPACE, YOUR STYLE, YOUR STORY."
I highly recommend visiting The Prospect Project HQ to purchase a candle or attend one of their incredible workshops.