Hey hey hey! It’s time for the first Lifestyle of Love hop in 2023! I always look forward to these. I get a kick out of seeing what each friend has because they love antiques and vintage finds as much as I do. Today the theme is candles and/or candlesticks. You may be thinking that candles aren’t vintage looking or all that captivating but just wait – they are! I’m sharing how I style candles to be interesting and an expression of me so you can too!
How I Style Candles To Be Interesting And An Expression Of Me
If you’re hopping over from Lora Bloomquist’s blog, howdy! I’m excited you’re here. Didn’t you love her fun vintage ideas? She always has the best stuff! Seriously, the best.
If you’ve not visited before, I am smitten with pretty vintage things, most antiques and enjoy repurposing fun finds which is what the Lifestyle of Love hop is all about! If you’d like to know more, click here for the About Me Page. Ask me anything you want. I’m an open book and can always use a new friend.
I admit the candles I get are inexpensive and basic. Especially the ones I buy. Most of them are white with only a few having color. During fall and Christmas I splurge and get a couple of good smelling jars but usually we go natural. Probably because I’m weird and like the smell of floor cleaner, rubbing alcohol and furniture polish. We all have quirks, right? Well even though I buy plain candles, they don’t have to look ordinary.
Candlesticks are another story. Definitely more detailed and sometimes I even use them like they are supposed to be used. But when I do, they seem formal and that isn’t me at all. I like my surroundings to be more relaxed.
My go-to is usually adding a votive or tapered candle to a vase or bottle. Why not? It’s easy and so cute!
Then there are days I feel extra. Extra farmhousy or romantic. Sometimes rustic. Then sometimes super casj. That’s slang for casual. 😉 Let me show you how I dress them up and add a bit of my personality in there.
Bunching candles together.
Adding several dollar store candles can look awesome when bunched together in an old crock. Especially if you have one that has a chunk out of the side or some discoloration because it was stored to close to the red ones.
Last fall I was obsessed with velvet ribbon and being a teeny bit formal. Remembering back, I was out of my comfort zone yet enjoyed it. Just might try doing the same this spring or summer season. Maybe.
See how the last 3 photos are great examples of bunching? Try it, you’ll like it.
Make your own candle holder.
One day I was feeling crafty and used pages from a .25 cent book, a silver ladle and a left over fence piece to make a candle holder. All I did was use Mod Podge and a screw to keep it all together. You can see that DIY here.
Making this one was easy as well. Do the same thing with the backing but instead of a spoon, screw on a vintage jello mold. I sat this one inside a plate holder but you can leave it sitting on it’s own. That DIY is the same as the spoon.
I know, you’re thinking just stop already with the book pages! In my defense, the one above was ruined from being dropped. The edges were crumbly which made it look like a mouse nibbled on it so I needed a quick fix. At least now with it covered it’s usable again.
Display them in unique vessels.
Having found an entire Ziploc bag of old jello molds for $2.00 one day, I get to use them in several places. The narrow molds fit nicely inside old bed springs. Keep an eye out for those next time you’re shopping. I got a ton of compliments at Christmas time using them together.
The lantern isn’t all that unique but placing candles, in this case tea lights, inside vintage mercury glass candy dishes and in a silver creamer is more unique. I find the look to be charming. Depending on how you display them, they can look unconventional or casual or more stately! Which do you like better?
This vessel is from a vintage clay pot. The bases I usually see are just plain. I love the texture and color. It looks beautiful stacked on the side table under some old books.
The last way I’m sharing how I style candles to be interesting and an expression of me is by showing off my inexpensive hanging candles. During Christmas I mentioned that I wanted to hang them on our tree but they were more than I was prepared to pay. Instead, I tied them together with similar string. They might look a little janky but for .79 cents each, I couldn’t pass that up. I hang them together on shelves and doorknobs. Look how cute they are with ribbon.
Next up is Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse. You’re going to enjoy seeing her vintage candlestick holders! Make sure and check out everyone’s post. You will get some fabulous ideas and quite possibly the hankering to go shopping for more candles or candlesticks!
So many beautiful ways to display candles and candlesticks, Cindy! I love them all. In a million years I would have never thought to put taper candles in vases. I love how yours came together though so I’m excited to try the idea out too. As always thanks so much for putting this blog hop together and for giving us fabulous bits of inspiration, CoCo
Author
My pleasure CoCo. I’ve always enjoyed adding candles to vases or pots. I think it’s because they look so casual. Glad you found some inspo! 🙂
Cindy,
Your ideas are so clever. I prefer fragrance free candles as well. Although I do like furniture polish, rubbing alcohol isn’t a favorite. Lol. I love you clever ideas and thanks for organizing this today.
Author
What?! Not a fan of rubbing alcohol?! LOL. I can’t imagine most people do. I just love the smell of clean. None of the candles claiming to be fresh linen, or cotton ball or clothes hanging out on the line that I’ve ever sniffed smell remotely clean. Anyway, thank you Rachel!
What great unique ideas! I just pinned this for future use!
Author
Thank you Susan. I appreciate that and I’m glad you found something you liked. 🙂
Such wonderful ideas!.
Author
Thanks bunches Shawn. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Great ideas, Cindy. Love the candles in a pail.
Author
Thank you Carol. With some sand, that’s one of my favorite looks. Happy Saturday!
I’ve used some of these ideas and now I have more. I love using things in unusual ways, who wants to follow the usual!!! Thanks Cindy and have a blessed weekend.
Author
Exactly Marlene – who wants to follow the usual! 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
Beautiful ideas, Cindy!!
This is always s fun hop to go through. Happy day!
Author
Aww, so glad you like it Rachel. I enjoy them as well. So many people find the best stuff. Including you! Vintage love forever!!!
Cindy, I love how your personality comes through with these candle ideas. You’re too funny, My fave is the silver ladle and the bookpage anchor piece. Can’t have too many bookpage ideas! And you can’t get easier than a votive candle in a silver sugarbowl or cup. Thanks so much for putting the hop together. Have a fun weekend!
Author
Thanks Debra. I enjoy finding different way to use candles and candlesticks. But goodness, when I read each or your posts, I was so inspired to think even further outside the box! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I’d be sitting in that comfy chair by the fireplace while looking at your surroundings. Perfect.
I love it when you go “extra”, girl! Bunching them together with a ribbon is a beautiful idea. And you know I love the vintage ladle and the tart tins; farmhouse perfect, indeed! Decoupaged book pages can be added to anything and everything:) Happy Spring!
Author
Thank you so much Lora. I want to be as “extra” as you though. 😉
These are such fun ideas. I love using vintage. It’s so much more unique. Hugs to you.
Author
Thanks Renae. I wish I would have kept all that stuff when I was in college. It would sell now for bib bucks!
How did I miss your DIY candle holder with the ladle and jello mold! So adorable! You are now officially my go to person for candle ideas!
Author
LOL, you crack me up. I’ve never been anyone’s go-to person for anything. Well, except the kids when they wanted money and a ride. Thank you Michelle.
The way you use candle is fabulous and so much nicer than just stuck in a candlestick. Loved all of your ideas but especially the board with the ladel, Beautiful ideas
Author
Aww, thank you. Those were so easy to make and total cost was probably 1.50. Scrap wood, a super cheap book, Mod Podge and bending an old ladle I got for a dollar. Plus the candle was .25 cents! 🙂
Ok Cindy, wow! You shared so many beautiful ideas and I loved so many.Leaving inspired!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Author
Well that’s our mission, right?! Thank you so much. You’ve made my day! Happy Christmas!