Candles in the kitchen set the mood
We all know that the kitchen is the heart of the house. Try as you
might to move your guests into the living room, dining room or patio,
there’s always a group in the kitchen. Maybe it’s because they want
first dibs on the food and beverages, but more likely the appeal
comes from the abundance of energy and activity. It just feels good
to be part of the action.
I’ve given up trying to lure people from the kitchen. It’s
hopeless. And I’m usually in the kitchen myself, fussing around,
cooking, and making last minute goodies. So, in an effort to make the
kitchen as inviting as possible, I say set the mood with some
candlelight.
Give that pot rack and the drop spotlights a critical look. Adding
the soft, warm, and welcoming light from a “candelier” might be just
the touch that gives your kitchen an extra dose of ambience. If you
have high ceilings, the space above your kitchen island is a perfect
place for a focal point. If it won’t obstruct your natural line of
vision, a ceiling-mounted candleholder is a nice addition.
Now, when I say candleholder, I really mean object d’art. I’m
thinking iron, large, interesting and unique. Antique is even better.
Any chandelier can be “unwired” and instead of bulbs, place candles
in the existing sockets.
Does it sound like I’m taking a step backward? Maybe. But a
candelier is not intended to replace good basic lighting; rather, it
adds an intimate glow to a utilitarian room.
By far, the best looking candelier I’ve ever seen belongs to my
friend Jeannie. The candelier that hangs over her kitchen island is
about five feet long, three feet high and two feet wide. It was made
around 1930 and lived in Paris until an antique dealer brought it
back to Southern California.
The wiring was in terrible shape; so the choice was either have it
rewired or go gutsy and try a new twist. The new twist ended up
“making” the room. Now, the kitchen was already quite well appointed,
but hanging the antique iron chandelier-turned-candelier added just
the right touch.
We added some deep red candles, turned the dimmer switch on the
kitchen lights to low, lit the candles and gave ourselves a pat on
the back (and a pat on the back to her husband, Bob, for paying for
it).
Jeannie has been through several generations of candles since our
original effort. The wax that drips and puddles around the sockets
only adds to the charm.
Any time I have been included in the mix of guests, the candelier
is a conversation starter.
I think the soft glow of the candles help create a warm feeling.
They say “thanks for coming”, “stay for awhile” and “I hope you have
a good time.”
* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs
Sundays.
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