WALES AT HOME GUEST COLUMNISTS | TESS HESLOP OF OCHRE & OCRE TALKS CANDLES
Owner of super stylish but ethically sound website, Ochre & Ocre, Tess Heslop knows a thing or two about how to create that effortlessly sophisticated look around the home.
Here we ask her how to strike the right balance of using scented candles at the dining table:
´I love using scented candles around my home, but when it comes to the dinner table I always tend to go for plain tea lights. I’d like to create something more elaborate. Any ideas?´
"Smell is such an important sense; it’s linked to your memories and emotions. Our sense of taste is greatly influenced by our sense of smell, so it is really important you use candles on your dinner table that compliment rather than overpower the food aromas.
I would recommend using natural candles like beeswax. Beeswax candles are brighter and longer lasting than other candles and they emit a gorgeous fragrant honey perfume.
I put my beeswax pillar candle in a large storm jar, on a bed of peppercorns. As the heat from the candle is trapped inside the jar, a lovely smell of honey and pepper is emitted, that tantalises your taste buds.
For a more Christmassy smell you could put your candle on a bed of cloves and juniper berries. Or if you want a stronger aroma, coffee beans combined with the honey will be quite stimulating.
If you prefer to use taper candles, you can still get a natural look and smell to your table by placing your beeswax taper in candle holders in the centre of your table and dressing with strands of ivy, pine cones, and holly. Adding a few sparkling glass baubles will perfectly finish off your centre piece.
It is so much nicer, and better for your health, to have natural aromas in your home, and dining by candlelight always makes a meal feel more special.
To view more Ochre & Ocre products visit www.ochreandocre.com."
