Wee find: Nice candles

For lovers of good design, gentle light and zero headaches.

Let me tell you a secret: I used to be the world’s biggest scented candle cynic. In my mind, they were synonymous with headache-inducing sweetness and clouds of dubious fumes – hardly the stuff of domestic bliss. It didn’t help that, during my days at Better Homes and Gardens, I unearthed the rather alarming fact that some scented candles are among the chief culprits for indoor air pollution.

But then came lockdown, winter, and a sudden influx of candles from kindly PRs. I caved. There’s something unexpectedly cheering about a flickering flame on a grey afternoon – even for a hardened sceptic.

Don’t get me wrong: anything sugary or sickly still makes me run for the hills. But I’ve developed a genuine fondness for a well-chosen candle (and a few candle-adjacent treats, too).

So, in the spirit of full disclosure, here are my favourite candle discoveries – no saccharine scents, I promise.

Hoogeland candles

Hoogeland, a small Dutch candle maker since 1770, combines old-world craftsmanship with serious design credentials, and rather admirably, they're a certified B Corp. Their Immanuel collection features minimalist pillar candles, while the Baruch collection, designed by Lex Pott, showcases sculptural freestanding candles that are handmade with plant-based wax. Just be warned: with prices starting at 150 Euros, they're less 'everyday lighting' and more 'art collection'.

May Ceramics’ Delftware sconce

This Delftware-inspired sconce by South Australian pottery studio May Ceramics gives off a quietly elegant glow, the sort of gentle, flattering light that makes even the most neglected corner look vaguely intentional. It’s understated, handcrafted and rather clever – and they have bird designs, too.

Lex Pott for Hay candles

Danish brand Hay always manages to find the most interesting collaborators, and their partnership with Dutch designer Lex Pott is no exception. His playful pillar candles for Hay feature bold colour block combinations and striking dimensions, making them as sculptural as they are functional. Honestly, they're almost too pretty to burn. Almost. Perfect for adding a bit of graphic oomph to any room.

Long slender tapers

I'm having a moment with the Catharine candles from Hoogeland and Queen B's beeswax tapers. So elegant. The ones from Hoogeland would be amazing for a special occasion. They burn for ages, look incredibly colourful and chic, and are just the right height. The Queen B ones are particularly useful as well as they are drip-free. I’ve got the solid brass reversible beehive taper holders, which can be used for slender tapers or turned upside down for standard sized candles. Very clever.

Hoogeland Catharine candles

If you're after high drama, these super-long 65cm tapers that Australian stylist Steve Cordony uses are it. I'm not entirely convinced I wouldn't knock them over when reaching for the salt, but perhaps the look is worth the risk. Or you can use shorter 16-inch church tapers if you just want a little bit of style for any meal.

Ini Ceramic’s ceramic matchbox

If you’ve ever wanted your matches to live in a tiny trompe-l’œil jewel box that’s as chic as it is whimsical, this hand-painted porcelain matchbox by French ceramics studio Ini Ceramique is the answer to a question you didn’t know you had. It’s the sort of small, exquisite thing that makes you feel quietly smug every time you strike a match – or stash away a secret pair of earrings.

Panisa’s pillar candle holders

If you’re after a candle holder that’s less ‘background object’ and more ‘scene-stealing star,’ may I gently nudge you toward Panisa’s pillar candle holders? These satisfyingly chunky, geometric wonders stack and click together in all sorts of pleasing ways, so you can play architect with your tablescape (or just admire your own cleverness). They’re solid, graphic, and ever-so-slightly joyful-like Bauhaus blocks for grown-ups.

Kim Austin’s little hand wick snuffer

In the seriously charming (and slightly bonkers) world of candle accessories, Kim Austin's creations are a real find. I mean, a tiny gold hand for snuffing out your candles? What's not to love? This exquisite little thing is crafted with love in her San Francisco pier studio using an original letterpress machine, making it a lust-have for anyone who adores whimsical treasures and a touch of the absurd.

Provider Store’s sustainable candles and candle-making workshops

Provider Store is one of my favourite Sydney shops, where they craft their own soy wax candles in stunning ceramic cups handcrafted by small Japanese workshops. Once the candle is finished, the vessel can be repurposed as a charming Japanese tea cup, or you can return it to the store for a refill. A beautiful gift idea. They also host Sydney's most exquisite candle-making workshops.

One and Only Paper’s sardine tin printed matchbooks

These Sardine Tin Printed Matchbooks from One and Only Paper bring a quirky, vintage charm to your candle lighting ritual with their delightful sardine tin design and handy ten double-sided matches. They’re perfect for adding a playful touch to your bedside or coffee table, though sadly, they’re only available for purchase within the US at the moment, so overseas fans will have to admire from afar.

Nonna’s Grocer’s scented heirloom tomato candle

Who knew a tomato-scented candle could so perfectly capture the green, sun-warmed tang of a backyard harvest, with earthy notes of tomato leaf, cumin, and sandalwood wafting through the kitchen like a nostalgic wink to summer afternoons? And if tomato isn’t quite your flavour, you’ll be pleased to find that Nonna’s Grocer has a whole playful market basket on offer – other fruits and vegetables rendered in wax, each one a charming, unsweet antidote to the usual cloying candle fare.

The Archivist’s matches bottle

The Archivist’s matchbox bottle, featuring The Printed Peanut’s “A Perfect Match” design, transforms everyday matches into a little work of art, with Louise Lockhart’s playful shapes and vibrant colours bringing a vintage-inspired joy to your coffee table. This beautifully illustrated bottle is both practical and collectable – a cheerful pop of design that makes even striking a match feel special. More designs available from The Archivist. Don’t miss their range of giant matches, too.

D.S. & Durga's Portable Fireplace candle

There's something undeniably likeable about D.S. & Durga's Portable Fireplace candle, a scented indulgence that captures the essence of a crackling fire without the bother of actual flames. For those who don't have a real fireplace, this candle is an excellent substitute, evoking the cosy warmth and smoky aroma that makes winter evenings feel snug.

Mismatched coloured tapers and holders

A joyful jumble of Danish colour, these tapers and taper holders beg to be mixed, matched, and made your own. Dinner tables instantly feel brighter and infinitely more fun with their playful, solid hues.

Queen B gold taper sconce

Australian brand Queen B’s gold taper sconce is designed to perfectly reflect their warm, golden glow. Plus, it's got a handle, so you can channel your inner Dickensian character and bring cosy candlelight with you wherever you roam in the house. Just don’t set fire to the curtains.

Ibiza block colour candles

If you're in need of a bit of cheering up, these Ibiza Stick Candles are just the thing. I love the jolly block colours. They’re handmade from vegan stearin wax and dyed with ecological dyes.

Rice’s ceramic bird candle holder

If you're looking to inject a touch of whimsy into your tablescape, this ceramic bird candle holder from Rice is just the ticket. I see it paired with one of their colourful twisty two-toned candles for maximum impact – think old-fashioned garden party and you're halfway there.

Stripe taper candles

For a bit of a visual pick-me-up, these striped taper candles are perfect. They’d be just the thing to pull out if Wes Anderson was coming for dinner. Hand-poured in soft colours, they're practically begging to be paired with a clashing tablecloth and a nice glass of something chilled. More lovely colourways can be found at Geranium.

Candle decorations and pins

Delicate, whimsical, and impossibly pretty, these candle decorations transform ordinary tapers into miniature works of art. Like tiny metal halos catching the light, they add just the right touch of vintage charm to elevate any candlelit gathering.

Sunroom’s risograph printed matchboxes

I didn’t even know matches came with multi-coloured ends, but Sunroom’s risograph printed matchboxes surprise and delight with every vibrant stick. Beautifully designed and handcrafted, they turn a simple household staple into a small but stylish pleasure.

Maison Balzac’s Everything dish

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent far too long balancing candles on precarious surfaces, praying they don’t drip disaster everywhere. Enter Maison Balzac’s Everything Plates – perfectly petite, effortlessly elegant little dishes that are just the right size to catch every waxy slip-up.

Rusty metal candle wings

Rusty, romantic, and just a little bit gothic, these metal candle wings turn any plain pillar into a tiny altar. Perfect for summoning a flicker of old-world magic to your mantelpiece.

Fish Sticks candles

Utterly charming and just a bit cheeky, these fish-shaped beeswax tapers are guaranteed to make a splash at any dinner table. Who knew candles could be this much fun?

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