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.