The Candle Moment of Hilde & Bram

A number of years ago Hilde renovated a townhouse in Antwerp. In the back garden there was an old pen that hadn't been used for a long time until Bram and Hilde got the inspirational idea of turning it into an open winter garden. The existing brickwork was enlarged, a wooden structure with a roof was put on top, and the sides were decorated with original glazing. On the inside, everything was furnished rustically and basically, because they wanted to create an authentic atmosphere.

The winter garden is regularly used to dine cosily with the family, but more and more often also to organise inspirational parties with friends. Electricity and water were purposely left out, and it is only an old simplex heater and candlelight that provide the cosy atmosphere. When you enter the empty winter garden, you notice these simple furnishings plus the wood. But once the candles have been lit, the area is transformed into a fairy-tale stage. More than 80 glass jars and holders bring the winter garden to life with an array of candlelight. Anyone looking for inspiration for using candles as decorations will find numerous examples in the photographs: you can put tealights into glass holders, wrap a pendant around a stick or use rustic candles in lanterns. With simply coloured tea glasses and a matching table decoration, you can create an attractively decorated table with candles. The mandatory candlestick with colourful household candles will inspire particularly the romantics among us.

Why do Hilde and Bram opt for Spaas candles? 'Very simple', explains Hilde. 'During a pleasant evening we easily burn more than 60 to 80 candles until they're finished. We soon realised that the burn time of Spaas candles was far better than that of unbranded products. What’s more, the candles drip and smoke far less'. And what about the price? 'It's a bit higher than what you pay for other candles,' admits Bram,  'but as true bons-vivants an evening in our garden tends to last a long time. And when that happens we don't feel much like replacing candles midway through a party.'

Candles used for the winter garden:

  • tealights 6hr
  • coloured household candles 24hr
  • white pillar candles 24hr

Keen to share your Spaas moment with us? Post a photo of your moment on Facebook, or send us an e-mail with some atmospheric photos. Like Bram and Hilde, you might win a Spaas pack.

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