Candle Tips

Candles will fade if left in the light for an extended period of time.Never put candles in a window or directly expose to bright outdoor light or indoor spotlights.

Keep lit candles out of drafts, drafts create large flames, shortening the burning time.

Wicks should be trimmed to a 1/4" from wax for longer burning time.

Votive candles must be in a container. They are made of a low melt wax. The tighter the fit the longer the candle will burn.

Votive burning is fun, however the clean up of the container is frustrating and time consuming. Eliminate this aggravation. Simply place 1/8" of tap water in the base of the votive holder prior to lighting. Once the votive candle is extinguished, allow the wax to solidify. Once solid, gently push on the wax and the contents should pop loose. If that doesn't do it , put container in the icebox for about 15 minutes.

Take out and press on wax a little, it should pop out.

Floating candles can provide both a formal and informal setting for either a dinner party or a back yard picnic. Floating candles in a clear bowl creates an extra special lighting effect. Using distilled water eliminates mineral buildup on the side of crystal or glass, preserving its unique presentation of floating candles.

Let spilled wax solidify so when it hardens it can be removed in pieces by covering with paper towel and or a brown paper grocery bag and gently press out with a warm iron - the wax will melt and be absorbed into the paper.

A candle will burn more slowly and evenly if it's refrigerated before using. Wrap the candle in plastic or foil before refrigerating to prevent wicks from absorbing moisture.

Each time you light a pillar candle, burn it long enough to create a pool of wax across most of the diameter of the candle. The candle will last longer and burn more evenly.

Before a dinner or party, light and then extinguish the candles as they will light more quickly and easily when you are ready to use them.

Extinguish candles when they get within 2 inches of their holders or decorations.
To extinguish a candle, dip the wick into the liquid wax, using a nonflammable instrument. This little known technique eliminates smoking of an extinguished wick.
After extinguishing candles, re-center wick.

Guide to Remodeling a Kitchen

A kitchen remodel can be an exciting and creative activity for a homeowner; as with every remodel it is advisable to start with a budget in mind and work according to a plan. There is a lot you can do with a kitchen remodel; kitchen cabinets, sinks, exhaust fans, sinks, kitchen islands, curtains, lighting, countertops, backsplash, faucets, furniture, tiles, etc can be replaced or repaired to give a whole new look to your kitchen. You should get an idea of the costs involved in a remodel and then plan the remodel to fit your budget.


Before starting a remodeling project, it is important to obtain a building permit well in advance because municipalities may take time to process the permit application.
Kitchen roofs can be kept a little higher so as to give the kitchen a different feel from the rest of the house and the kitchen can be moved adjacent to the dining area so that service from the kitchen is made easy.


In kitchens, where space is a constraint a remodel offers the opportunity to remove items and accessories that are rarely used and create some space. The kitchen space can be made more appealing visually by varying the height of the countertops and using cabinets of different sizes with different styles of doors. Contrasts can be achieved by using light wood stains for the islands and darker ones for the cabinets. A remodel is also the time to hide unsightly appliances by installing panels that can cover or disguise ovens or refrigerators. Another way to make appliances blend with the surroundings is to install stainless steel appliances; this is because stainless steel reflects the colors of its surroundings and is therefore not very noticeable.
The space to be allocated for counters can be a tricky decision; ideally you should allocate sufficient space for the counters and the counters should have enough width and depth to provide working space as well as space for appliances. The cabinets should be so placed that the contents of the cabinets are accessible from the place in the kitchen where they are likely to be used most often.


Traditional kitchen cabinets come with raised panels and in a range of finishes and wood choices. Contemporary kitchen cabinets offer an uncluttered look with well-defined lines; the building materials include wood, glass, plastic, and other materials. Kitchen sinks are mostly made of stainless steel which is a resilient and inexpensive alternative. Enamel covered cast iron sinks provide a traditional look. Quartz composite and granite-based sinks offer a high shine and are durable.


Kitchen islands can be added to spacious as well as not-so-spacious kitchens; with smaller kitchens, an island provides added countertop space for placing cooking pots and cutlery. Kitchen islands also offer space for a small family to gather, a kitchen island on wheels enables one to move the island around and alter the space settings. While remodeling, one can try to alter the lighting if required so that it illuminates the stove, countertops, cabinets, sink and other work areas.

Lighting Up Your Space

One aspect of decorating that many people may not think about is lighting design. We might add in our table lamps and call it a day, but lighting design is much more than a couple of decorative table lamps. So, before you run out and buy the first lamp or fixture you like, think about how it will function in your space.

Lighting design incorporates 3 types of lighting to create a welcoming and functional space with dramatic style and interest.

The 3 Basic Types of Lighting Are:

Ambient or General Lighting: General lighting is the all-purpose typeof lighting that creates a comfortable, safe environment.



Task Lighting: When you think of task lighting, think of the type of lighting that focuses on a certain spot that makes working much easier, like under-cabinet lights in your kitchen. This type of lighting is essential for kitchens, home offices, reading and even bathrooms.


Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is used to highlight certain features or aspects of your home to include artwork, niches, built in bookshelves or simply to create a sense of drama. Accent lighting is not designed for room illumination so it should be used in conjunction with both General and Task lighting for balance. There are several forms of accent lighting that can be used to create mood and style.


Kinetic Lighting: Lighting that evokes movement such as the soft flicker of candles or the romance of a lit fireplace. Kinetic Lighting can also be lighting that comes from lava lamps or mirrored balls for example.

Indirect or Up Lighting: This type of lighting is similar to general lighting and uses fixtures to throw the light onto ceilings or upper portions of the walls. This is a great way to reduce glare in your home office or living room.

Wall Washing: This type of lighting design highlights a vertical surface. Think of the recessed lights that throw a single beam of light downward to highlight a piece of artwork or flank a fireplace. The light can be placed on the floor directed upward as well.

Once you understand the types of lighting, it's time to take a look at your space and determine your needs. If you're designing a lighting scheme for your kitchen, you know you will need to incorporate task lighting with your general lighting. Think about where you do your food preparations and the light you need over your cooktop. A great example of task lighting in the kitchen would be using recessed ceiling fixtures directly above an island area. The same type of lighting design should be used in a bathroom. Your task area will be your vanity space.

Another important aspect of lighting design is understanding that the fabrics, colors and surfaces in a room all contribute to the feel of a room and often reflect light differently. It is important to consider all aspects of a room from the materials used to the lighting source in order to create a comfortable room that comes together in both function and style.