Orkney Rough Linen duvet cover
I love candles. The only problem with them is that candles, even the cleanest burning ones, make a mess of your ceiling. Plus of course, there are certain places burning a candle would be unsafe. Like under the slanted ceiling over the mantle in my bedroom (as you can see in the photo above). Plus anywhere children, cats or other things that cartwheel could knock a candle over.
So when flameless candles came out I was happy. When flameless candles with timers came out I was ecstatic. When flameless candles with real looking flickering flames were introduced I spontaneously started tap dancing and my hair turned curly.
So along with real candles, my house is also filled with flameless candles that I know I can switch on without the worry of having to blow them out before I run to the store or out to chop wood. I love them.
Until I don't. Every so often, randomly, without warning, I do not love them at all.
A few times a year I look at my flameless candles and think bleh. BLEH. That is NOT a real candle it's a fake candle and the only thing worse than a fake candle is a fake cupcake.
If you too go through the same love hate relationship with flameless candles give this a try.
It's not complicated. It's not genius. But it does have a great effect.
Drop those candles into an opaque or almost opaque container and let them glow.
Look for things like bowls, vases, even wicker baskets work great. Then place them up on something high where you don't look straight down into them. When looking head on, you want to see the glow, not the candle. Because they just look weird inside. They work especially well under a slanted ceiling like I have because the glow hits the ceiling, but it would also be a great effect on floating shelves, or inside a bookcase.
For those of you wondering that's a cheap electric fireplace that you can get on Amazon for around $150 with an antique brass fireplace insert.
These candles and the electric fireplace are all on timers to come on at 7 o'clock so when I wander up to my bedroom for whatever reason throughout the night it's all warm and inviting with no chance of burning the house down unless I happen to wander into the bedroom drunk with a flamethrower.
I'm sure I'll get to the point where I love the flameless candle again but for now this is what I'm going with.
These are the great flameless candles with flickering flames I talked about earlier in case you haven't seen them before. They start at about $25 each for a pillar candle so about the same price as a ridiculously expensive candle, but it'll last forever.
Ideas don't have to be complicated to be good. They just have to be good.
Nancy Blue Moon
Well..it's about time we get a glimpse of your bedroom..the fireplace looks very nice and I love that wonky shaped bowl..Ernie is staring at the fireplace like there is a mouse in there..lol..
maggie van sickle
Have these candles and yes I love them have not learned to hate them yet but if I do I will use the containers. Love your bedroom so inviting and have read the book on the bottom of the pile can't remember the title. I think "And The Mountains Echoed" Something like that. I read the Kite Runner as well and enjoyed both. Take care.
Beau
From a guys perspective, these are nice for decorations, but can also be used during a power outage. They will give you enough light to see in a room, and also be more cheery than sitting in the dark.
tajicat
I bought a couple of flameless candles soon after they came out, only at a dollar store. They were cheap and I needed something when our power goes out, which happens at times yearly. Mine have a slight vanilla scent still after years of use, the "flame" is farther down so unless it is on the coffee table you don't see it and it is pretty similar to the real candles and it flickers. It doesn't have a timer but I usually only use them for an hour or two, but my son likes them better, and it is healthier for he and I since we have asthma (our allergist told me not to use candles). I have a houseful of pets, so definitely safer than the real thing.
Cynthia
Mary Werner...You can stop an episode of collapsing trachea really quickly and safely. It is usually triggered by
nerves or excitement. Just hold the dog's little snout closed gently while at the same time, lightly pressing the nostrils together. I can do this with one hand. Talk softly to the soggy and just hold it shut until you sense your yorky has gulped or swallowed.
It usually only takes a couple of seconds. Of course, don't do it for longer than a few seconds as they may feel a little concerned.
The mechanism of swallowing or gulping makes the trachea contract back into place and 'voila' no more floppy trachea episode.
I am no expert, but I am pretty sure this has stopped the episodes all together for my little pom. I think they get into a bit of a panic mode and then it becomes a fear. When they see mummy can stop it, they settle much more quickly.
I encourage you to try it. My pom used to sound like a warthog on crack. No more.
Christy
Omgosh they have flameless candles with timers....where have I been??
Debbie
No, no, no to flameless candles I say no! I have been burning yummy smelling candles for years (not Yankee, too sweet and sugary) with nary a carbon spot on the ceiling. The secret is in the wick; it must be properly trimmed. I have a great wick trimmer from BBB (use a coupon) and love it. Keep the wick at approximately 1/4" and that is that.
Just one site about wicks: http://www.candle-licious.com/html/q___a.html
Holly
Love your idea about inserting them into a prettier holder. In the past I found some stained glass holders that are perfect for this..so pretty. I use Luminara candles and LOVE them! No worries with forgetting to blow them out, smoke, animals, kids, etc.
I do still have some Slatkin candles I can not live without during the holidays. The Winter scent is to die for. Loved your comment... unless I happen to wander into the bedroom drunk with a flamethrower.
I bought flameless candles on timers for my mom's fireplace candelabra when she was disabled and confined to the living room for most of the time. They would come on at 6:30 p.m and made the room so inviting. A small thing for most of us, but so important to her tiny world before she passed.
Loved the menopause comment from Christine, too. lol!
Mary Werner
Karen, you have really nice followers!
Jennie Lee
If you buy fake flickering tealights, make sure to see the color of the flame first. When they first came out, they had an orange flame. The newer ones have a yellow flame that's much more realistic. They are often marked down after Christmas or Hallowe'en.
sj
I bought the flickering flame candle w/timer in Sept. It comes on every night for 5 hrs and I've changed the batteries only once. It briefly had a very faint vanilla scent, but none after a day or so. Love it. I use a real tealight in a heavy glass holder, next to it sometimes. The tealight burns out by bedtime, so don't worry about that either.
Sheryl
Do you have any Luminara brand candles? They are so lifelike it is amazing but they are really, really, expensive. Would love to know of one that looks as good but costs less.
Karen
Hi Sheryl. I do have a couple of Luminara candles. They are lifelike and no, there aren't any candles that even come close. They have a patented technology at the moment and as far as I know no other candles have copied them. They don't seem to often go on sale either, but they're redesigning their line right now so you might get lucky and find some of the older designs somewhere on sale. ~ karen!
amy watson
That orkney duvet cover from Rough Linen is AWESOME!!!!!! that is my next purchase from her, l have a pinafore and 6 napkins and her bedsheet awwwwwww comfort beyond description!!!!
Barbie
......looks like you even laid down some marble or granite for the hearth too? GREAT IDEA! I am SO copying this! LOLOL ...My hubs is going to hate you! LOLOLOLOL
Barbie
Pink tool belt sister is massively impressive if she built your mantel! WOW! I love it. We have one in our bedroom too "kinda" like that but not nearly as impressive as your "custom made" one....rethinking having the hubs do "me" one like yours now....beefier and more realistic than ours (From Fred Meyer)....he did paint the Freddy's one but still not as awesome as yours. GOOD JOB sis!
Diane
I have the flickering candles in my home as well. I LOVE them. They are expensive, but very lifelike. Apparently they were developed by Disney for the Haunted Mansion...or so I was told by the lady who sold me my first candle. Every year I try to buy one more because they are so expensive. However, I don't have to deal with drips or replacing spent candles, which adds up quickly. Now...what to do with all the remotes for the flameless candles! My remote basket is getting fuller...maybe a future blog article for you!
christine
I like to call them "menopause candles" because the house won't burn down when I forget about them.
Sue from Vermont
Oh my God, Christine, I literally laughed out loud when I read your comment! Just perfect. I bought my 12-year-old son 3 flameless candles for Christmas, and he loves using them in his room when he's going to sleep at night. He needs a little bit of light in the room to fall asleep, and to him, these are much better than a "babyish" nightlight. They have a remote and can change color, or you can just choose one color. They have 4- and 8-hour timers on the undersides of the candles themselves. I bought them for $30 on Thinkgeek.com.
marilyn
when our Dad passed away a dear friend gave our family a beautiful flameless candle with a sweet story to turn it on when we were missing him...i am the keeper of the flame and Dad has travelled with us all over the place! Camping, nova scotia , the cottage , weddings, christening and too many family dinners to count, where family gathers he is there (along with Mom of course) in the form of a flickering, beautiful light. i purchased a beautiful white tin cutout vase from Ikea tohouse it and the light shines through beautifully! it is a beautiful custom we have adopted that brings us all a measure of comfort and has the added bonus of thinking of our lovely friends thoughtfulness in our time of need!
Jackie
Oh, what a beautiful idea! Marilyn, I'd love to see the story that came along with your Dad's candle! I commend you as the 'keeper of the flame' -- lighting a candle in memory of our loved ones keeps the memories alive.
Melissa in North Carolina
I was gifted 3 flameless candles during the holidays. Too bad I didn't know about the timers and the flickering flame candles :( The glow of candlelight is so relaxing. I love me some candles. Maybe someone will invent a way for the flameless candles to have a pleasing scent or maybe they do and I just don't know about it!
SuzyMcQ
I bought a bunch of them before the holidays and love when they come on at nightfall. I can't really remember a recent purchase that made me happier. Well worth every penny for the comfort and ambiance they provide. Look for the ones with the flickering flame on Ebay. I found some great deals there.