Turn Up the Party Heat — the Sultry Decorating Secret

Light a candle, and a cold room feels instantly warmer. A bad mood improves. A lovely fragrance arises, and an alluring scene is set. And all that can be accomplished with a single scented candle on any random night.

Put a little more effort into your candle selection and arrangement for a house party, and the effects can be even more impressive: Everyone looks great and feels sexy in the glow. Yep, even a house overrun by kids, pets and squeaky toys can be transformed into a den of sultriness with the help of candles. Here are some ideas for using candles — from the very simple to the over-the-top — for a sultry home soiree.

First, let guests know what's in store upon arrival. Line the entry and front porch with candles. Dim or eliminate as many electric lights as possible to let the candles do the greeting.

Caution: Always make safety your No. 1 priority when burning candles. If there's any doubt about safety (say, kids or pets are in attendance, or exposed candles on the ground could set fire to a dress or coat), substitute battery-operated candles for real ones. Nothing kills a seductive atmosphere more quickly than having to unload a fire extinguisher on someone's fabulous outfit.


If you're hosting a large crowd, leave the front door open so guests can let themselves in. Let the candles lead them to the happenings. Again, keep electric lighting to a minimum to keep everyone's eyes adjusted.


In the coatroom. Before guests enter the party scene, give them a chance to drop off their outerwear. Whichever bedroom you choose as a coatroom, if you don't have a dedicated coatroom, use candles to direct folks to it. Unsupervised rooms like this are good places to opt for battery-operated candles.


The heart of the party. Continue your glowing theme in the heart of the party area with loads of candles.

I don't know how these homeowners could possible light these by hand and then blow them out each time without getting annoyed and lightheaded, but they win the sexy factor in my game book. OK, I think it's safe to assume these suckers are battery operated and on timers.


If you have a fireplace, use it to add to the radiance. Here a wood-burning fireplace is given additional vibrance with tall pillars.

Candle color. There's no rule about what colored candles you should use en masse, though an all-off-white arrangement creates a cohesive look that shows off the flames well. If you're using colored wax candles (as opposed to soy candles, which burn more evenly) you'll need to use more of them than you would white wax candles to produce the same illumination. Regardless of what color you choose, limit large groups to a single color family. In other words, off-white and beiges would be fine together, but don't start throwing in random green or red ones.


A brick cutout over this fireplace allows votives to burn safely as guests mingle.

Candle fragrance. Scented candles are wonderful ... but only when the occasion warrants a gentle air freshener. If you wish to use scented candles for a party, do so sparingly (like one in the bathroom or foyer) and never use multiple scents in the same room. Also, keep scented candles away from the food table so you don't overwhelm guests' senses of smell and taste.


If you have a fireplace that's not working (or you don't wish to babysit a wood-burning one), mimic its function by layering different-size candles inside.


This fireplace has an inverted effect: Various-size candles decorate the mantel. Below, the firebox keeps a lovely arrangement of logs tucked safely inside so guests can't trip.


Tip: No matter where you place your candles, set a mirror behind them to amplify their glow. This is especially helpful in darker corners of a party area where you might not have as many candles, or surfaces for candles, as you'd like.


Rather than concentrating all the candles in one part of the room, spread them out; your guests will spread out as well, making for a better flow throughout the house.


Don't forget the bathroom. After people have a couple of cocktails, a candlelit bathroom is helpful. This bathroom is prepared with built-in candle shelves.


Not that guests have to imbibe to appreciate the smooth, retina-pleasing transition from party to powder room. This bathroom too was constructed with sensuous ambience in mind: Note the row of built-in wall sconces.


The dining room. While candlelight makes people look their best, food may be hard to discern if there's not enough light. This dining space takes care of that with a centerpiece of candles on a tray (for easy removal) and candles tucked inside cutouts in the wall. An electric chandelier on a dimmer joins the spirit.


Floating candles in martini glasses light up this dining table.


This dining room features floating shelves to keep candles from interfering with any other table decorations or the food layout.


Materials. Candleholders don't have to be fancy. Fill mason jars with rocks, dried beans, cranberries, acorns, seasonal candies etc. before adding a metal-rimmed votive inside. That metal container will stop wax from spilling onto whatever foundation you've chosen.


And finally, light up the great outdoors. Party revelers always end up outside no matter how cold it may be. The more bodies you have inside, the quicker this will happen. Even if the temperature drops drastically outdoors, the atmosphere can feel warm and inviting with ample candle coverage.

Your turn: Please show us your favorite candle display.

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