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Archive for December, 2009

Luxurious Soy Wax Candles

December 29th, 2009 Andrea Mundell-Bowen No comments
Crystal_Cane_Candle_Bitter_Orange                 I have been looking forward to doing this blog on luxurious soy wax candles as I have been very keen on them lately and will be launching my own brand of ANDREAFAY Luxury Soy Wax and Natural Wick Candles soon.

Candles have come a long way and is getting more and more popular in the UK , US and around the world. I have just spent a week in New York and visited department stores like Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Barney’s, Saks and so on, and the beautiful display of scented candles in these stores really convinced me that there is a need for luxury scented eco-friendly candles.

Candles are  are used for many reasons like religious or romantic celebrations. 

Here is a brief  history of candles to share with you before I display some wonderful images of  luxury candles that are in the stores today. . .

Please enjoy!

Early Wicked Candles

The Egyptians were using wicked candles in 3,000 B.C., but the ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle before that time by dipping rolled papyrus repeatedly in melted tallow or beeswax. The resulting candles were used to light their homes, to aid travelers at night, and in religious ceremonies.

Historians have found evidence that many other early civilizations developed wicked candles using waxes made from available plants and insects. Early Chinese candles are said to have been molded in paper tubes, using rolled rice paper for the wick, and wax from an indigenous insect that was combined with seeds. In Japan, candles were made of wax extracted from tree nuts, while in India, candle wax was made by boiling the fruit of the cinnamon tree. ‘ Mmmmm’ I can just smell that now!

It is also known that candles played an important role in early religious ceremonies. Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights which centers on the lighting of candles, dates back to 165 B.C. There are several Biblical references to candles, and the Emperor Constantine is reported to have called for the use of candles during an Easter service in the 4th Century.                                                 

Let's stay in tonight and light a candle!

Let's stay in tonight and light a candle!

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Very elegant jars you will want to keep.
Very elegant jars you will want to keep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These days we don’t have to wait for a festive or religion reason or season to enjoy candles.  Luxury scented candles are very romantic and also very comforting.

Whatever style your home is . . .  You should find a candle suitable that will blend with the rest of the room, like this by an American Chandelier. Whatever style your home is . . . You should find a candle suitable that will blend with the rest of the room, like this one by an American Chandelier.

Read more…

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Colours for 2010 from Farrow & Ball

December 3rd, 2009 Andrea Mundell-Bowen No comments

Colour Experts Farrow & Ball Create 4 Key Colour Trends for 2010 

I just received the run down on the 2010 colour trends from Farrow & Ball. They are all fresh and exciting combinations. I like the earthy shades in the Industrial colour trends palette.  The subtle, natural colours in the Aquatic colour trends palette would be dreamy in a bedroom. I especially like the dark and dramatic colors in the Urban Decay colour trends palette (Pitch Black No.256 is one of my all time favourite accent colors). And how can you top the Glitz & Glamour colour trends palette for adding a bit of pizzazz to a room. I would stick with the neutrals for the largest areas (Cat’s Paw No.240, Savage Ground No.213, Ringwold Ground No.208) and use the brighter accent colours sparingly, maybe incorporating them in artwork and accessories.

1. Industrial 2010 Colour Trends: A strong but fragile fusion of colour.

Inspired by industrial architecture, this look is all about modernity mixed with tradition. Old and new are combined in an urban palette of muted tones that mimic the earthy shades of natural materials such as stone, clay, chalk and brick. Team soft grey based neutrals such as Cornforth White No.228 and Pavilion Gray No.242 with intense and inky darks such as Off-Black No.57 and Down Pipe No.26 to create a contemporary scheme. The deep, dramatic hues are accented and uplifted by splashes of vibrant, zestful colour with citrus shades such as Babouche No.223 or Orangery No.70.

 

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The key  colours for the Farrow & Ball Industrial 2010 Colour Trends :
Farrow & Ball Down Pipe No.26
Farrow & Ball Off-Black No.57
Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray No.242
Farrow & Ball Cornforth White No.228
Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster No.231
Farrow & Ball Orangery No.70
Farrow & Ball Babouche No.223
Farrow & Ball Blackened No.2011

2. Aquatic 2010 Colour Trends: A soft, watery palette defined by the elements.

This is a gentle, tranquil scheme. Subtle, natural colours are starkly contrasted with strong inky blues and combined with the reflective qualities of light, glass and mirrors for a diluted, watery look featuring freshwater tones. Try Strong White No.2001 or James White No.2010 teamed with the soft Pavilion Blue No.252 or Tunsgate Green No.250, and underpinned by Blue Ground No.210, Drawing Room Blue No.253 or Hague Blue No.30.

 

 

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2010 Colour Trends
Key colours for the Farrow & Ball Aquatic 2010 Colour Trends:
Farrow & Ball Pavilion Blue No.252
Farrow & Ball Tunsgate Green No.250
Farrow & Ball Blue Ground No.210

Farrow & Ball James White No.2010
Farrow & Ball Hague Blue No.30
Farrow & Ball Strong White No.2001
Farrow & Ball Drawing Room Blue No.253

3. Urban Decay 2010 Colour Trends: A vibrant scheme with an unpredictable twist.

Bold and graphic, this look is heavily influenced by the global economic meltdown and features the strong use of vibrant colours, but with an urban edge. Team dark and dramatic colours such as Pelt No.254 and Pitch Black No.256 together in a scheme for a theatrical look and experiment with paint finish as well as colour to make a real statement. Use Eco Full Gloss to create a high shine surface and inject with zingy, bright colours such as Arsenic No.214 and Dayroom Yellow No.233 for added impact and the ultimate visual scheme!

 

 

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2010 Colour Trends
Key colours for the Farrow & Ball Urban Decay 2010 Colour Trends :
Farrow & Ball Pelt No.254
Farrow & Ball Pitch Black No.256
Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue® No.85
Farrow & Ball Parma Gray® No.27
Farrow & Ball Dayroom Yellow No.233
Farrow & Ball Arsenic No.214
Farrow & Ball Great White No.2006

4.  Glitz & Glamour 2010 Colour Trends: A decadent look that celebrates excess.

In complete contrast to Urban Decay, this look is all about wealth and indulgence. Use rich and opulent shades like Brinjal No.222, Pitch Blue No.220 and Churlish Green No.251, alongside shimmering gold and metallics for an extravagant feel. This glamorous, glitzy look has a Middle Eastern influence, so colours include exotic shades which combine and collide in a celebration of colour and excess. Try Porphyry Pink No.49, Brinjal No.222 and Churlish Green No.251; a riot of colour with an adventurous twist. Key to this look is the myriad of colours – definitely not for the faint-hearted!

 

 

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2010 Colour Trends
Key colours for the Farrow & Ball Glitz & Glamour 2010 Colour Trends :
Farrow & Ball Brinjal No.222
Farrow & Ball Cat’s Paw No.240
Farrow & Ball Churlish Green No.251
Farrow & Ball Savage Ground No.213
Farrow & Ball Pitch Blue No.220
Farrow & Ball Porphyry Pink No.49
Farrow & Ball Cinder Rose No.246
Farrow & Ball Ringwold Ground No.208

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