CasaSugar

Etsy Find: Jean Pelle Dorit Candleholder

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:30:00 -0800

Ever since I came across her Vanity Cabinet, I've been keeping tabs on Brooklyn-based designer Jean Pelle's work. My latest fave is her Dorit Candleholder ($35), a faceted, rock-like, hand-cut wooden candleholder, hand-leafed with 24k yellow gold. The gold faces are unexpected and an interesting, luxurious partner to the masculine wood. I have kind of a problem with candlesticks . . . I own more than I can host in one room, so I have to rotate them. But, I'd be delighted to add a set of Dorits to the rotation.

Steal of the Day: Viva Terra Bark Candlesticks

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:00:49 -0800

The tree-branch trend may be giving way to birch and other motifs, but I still appreciate a lovely tree-inspired accent. Especially one that's sleek and metallic rather than brown and burly; even better if it's on sale.

If you're knot ready to give up the tree trend just yet, snap up these Viva Terra Recycled Aluminum Bark Candlesticks ($89, marked down from $179). They're half price but fully fabulous.

Steal of the Day: Cool Blue Mercury Glass Votive Holders

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:30:59 -0800

Red and green may evoke the holiday season for many of you, but nothing says Winter like some shiny, icy blue. Put a match to some tea lights in the Wisteria Cool Blue Mercury Glass Votive Holders ($18.20 for six, reduced from $28) and your home will be a Winter wonderland, sans the icicles and frigidity. Considering how trendy mercury glass is these days, I can't help but snatch them up. Set them around the room to create a flickering space, or arrange them on your tabletop for a magnificent, wintry tablescape.

How-To: Make Pumpkin Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:15:04 -0800

Your jack-o'-lantern may be rotting on your back porch like mine (oops!), but that's no reason to shun pumpkins altogether. You can make seasonal candle holders that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table from some inexpensive, mini pumpkins from your grocery store or local farmers market. I noticed this little trick within a DIY for making a mini pumpkin centerpiece on Martha Stewart, but I'm not so keen on the entire centerpiece idea. So, to make just the candle holders, you'll need a utility knife, a melon baller, tapered candles, and mini pumpkins. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Martha:

First, cut a round hole in its center with a utility knife, enough to hold a candle but not all the way through. You may want to trace the circumference of your taper onto the pumpkin first to make sure your hole isn't too wide.
Then, make space for your tapers by carving the inside out with a melon baller.
Then, slip your taper in.
You can also stack your pumpkin candle holders for a different look. If you do this, you'll want to use two pumpkins about the same size. Carve the top pumpkin all the way through, but leave a base on the bottom one.
Fini! So easy.

Source

DIY: Water Balloon Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:00:21 -0700

I've been totally in love with Glassybaby candle holders for months now, but I can't bring myself to spend $40 on a small votive. So when I came across CandleTech's DIY for making water balloon luminaries with very much the same shape simply out of paraffin wax, I knew I'd found an affordable alternative. All you'll need for this project is high-melt paraffin wax, water balloons, a piece of paper, a double boiler, a cookie sheet, and perhaps a candy thermometer. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how, from CandleTech:

Fill the balloon with lukewarm water.
Melt your wax on the double boiler, keeping the temperature around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the candy thermometer if necessary to keep track of the temperature.
Dip the balloon into the wax just below the water level, holding it for a few seconds.
Lift it out of the wax and repeat several times, letting it dry for a few seconds in between.
Lay the paper on the cookie sheet. Then press the balloon while it's still warm on the paper to create a flat base.
Continue to dip the balloon in the wax until it is about 1/4" or 1/2" thick.
Let the balloon cool completely.
Take a knife, fork, or skewer are carefully pop the balloon over the sink.
Pull out and toss the pieces of balloon.
Warm up your cookie sheet.
Then, flatten the top of the candle holder but pressing it onto the warm cookie sheet until it's level.
Set a tea light inside, and light away!

Source

Cool Idea: Light Bulb Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:14 -0700

The New York Times article "Thinking Like a Student" takes a look at the thrifty, creative home-design moves college students, particularly architecture students, are making during these difficult economic times to make their homes a better place, aesthetically and functionally.

Along with the article is a wonderful slideshow showcasing many of these "on the cheap" tricks. One of my favorites was a set of candle holders fashioned from recycled light bulbs by Lauren Chapman, a student at Yale School of Architecture. By now we've hopefully all made the switch to CFLs, but that doesn't mean we should just toss those standard old bulbs in the trash.

To find out more about this project, read more.
Why not turn them into candle sticks? I've actually shown you lamps made from light bulbs before, but those were much too pricey. My only concern is how Chapman got the bulbs to stand up. I'm thinking that by using a glue gun on the candle holders' bottom, you could create a flat base. Or, you could set a magnet inside the bulb, and then one underneath your table cloth, like those DIY magnetic vases. What do you think? Do you like it, or is it too thrifty-looking for you?
Photo by Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

Steal of the Day: Gump's Iron Candle Chandelier

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:37 -0700

I can't think of a more delightful way to spend my endless Summer evenings than under the warm glow of candlelight. There are plenty of trendy ornate chandeliers out there, but I love the sophisticated simplicity of Gump's Iron Candle Chandelier ($99, reduced from $250). Who needs crystals and birds birds birds when you've got timeless, hand-forged iron and classic tapers to light up the night? I certainly don't, and I wouldn't mind lightening my electricity bill, either . . .

Steal of the Day: Perched Bird Candleholders

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:51 -0700

I've blogged lots and lots about birds, and even wrote a post entirely full of bird puns. So, it's no secret that I love dem birds! Some of you have expressed that you're not big fans of the bird trend, but I am, so I've decided to cover my ears and show you the Wisteria Perched Bird Candleholders ($16 for two). Not only do they satisfy said love, but they're charming, chic, and chirp! (Bad pun intended, I mean . . . cheap!) What do you think of these cast-iron candleholders?

Steal of the Day: Ballard Designs Rose Votive Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:30:49 -0700

Seeing as it's in the 80s in San Francisco these days, I'm looking forward to unwinding on my deck at night and enjoying the nice temperatures and killer views, perhaps with a bottle of vino, too. I'm thinking the Ballard Designs Rose Votive Holders ($9.99 for 4, reduced from $39.99) would be a perky lighting solution when the sun goes down. Since they're resin, not porcelain, I won't have to be as careful with them, which is a plus for outdoor décor. The light green is the only color available, but clearly, I'm a fan. What do you think? Would you buy these blooms?

Steal of the Day: JCPenney Studio Capiz Shell Candleholder

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:00:26 -0700

In my recent Casa Verde, I told you about Danny Seo's eco makeover of Maria Menounos' backyard, and showed you a few products to help you get the look in your outdoor space. Well, lucky you, the JCPenney Capiz Shell Candleholder ($19-$24) that Seo used, which is made of natural capiz shells harvested from the waters of the Philippines, is on sale! It does look fab outdoors on Menounos' farmhouse table, but there's no reason why you can't enjoy one inside as well. I'm thinking one large and one medium candleholder next to your favorite reading chair might make for some cozy lighting, or a few lined up on a fireplace mantle would achieve a more formal look. What do you think? Like 'em?