With holidays, honeymoons, island getaways and mask-free mini-breaks off the cards for a while yet — we could all use an escape. Enter: the scented candle. We’ve put together a list of uplifting, locally-stocked candles to spark joy in your lounge room (just add margaritas).
The Commonfolk Collective 'Desert Sun' candle
Mornington Peninsula-based The Commonfolk Collective (not be confused with our friends, Commonfolk Coffee), use Australian-made fine fragrance oils to produce their renewable soy and coconut wax candles. Desert Sun, as the name suggests, is imbued with warm, earthy tones to keep you mentally grounded — while you're grounded.
$54.95, from The Commonfolk Collective. Buy it
Skandinavisk HAV ‘Freshness of the Sea’ candle
HAV [How], is Nordic for ‘sea’. The endless coastlines of Scandinavia and cold waters of the North Atlantic, Baltic and Arctic seas is brought to life with a blast of water flora, driftwood, sea froth and fresh air. Made from a blend of perfume and vegetable wax with a cotton wick, this Skandinavisk candle is engraved with a Scandi-approved beechwood lid. Perfect for minimalists.
$59.95, from Elephant, Sorrento. Buy it
Black Blaze ‘Beach Bonfire’ candle
Handpoured in Australia, Beach Bonfire by Black Blaze takes you away for a warm winter’s night on Palm Beach. Think rich, smokey, resinous notes and a light sea breeze. Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting by a bonfire with the sand beneath your feet (with unobstructed views of Barrenjoey Lighthouse).
$50, from Coast Living, Rosebud & Sorrento. Buy it
Carner Barcelona ‘Tardes’ candle
The floral, woody-musk Tardes candle by Barcelona-based perfume brand Carner Barcelona is an ode to the peace and harmony of summer evenings on the Mediterranean. Light it, then take an imagery afternoon stroll through wheat fields and almond trees “as the beauty of the sun starts dipping behind the rolling hills of the dimming countryside”. Yes, please.
$99, from Smoke and Vanilla, Mornington. Buy it
Red Hill Candle Co customised candle
Choose your own adventure with Red Hill Candle Co’s custom-designed scented candle. The Mornington Peninsula-based candle makers have 40 fragrances to blend: from frangipani to fresh linen, pineapple to prosecco. Keep it simple with a single fragrance, or mix with two to three fragrances. They also stock a range of essential oil “therapy” candles (clarity, inspire, stress relief) and uplifting room sprays.
$45, from Red Hill Candle Co, Buy it
Addition Studio Mimosa Rocks candle
Design house Addition Studio is all about creating simple daily rituals. Stocked at Flinders’ homewares store The Artisan Storeroom, this natural essential oil candle takes inspiration from Mimosa Rocks National Park, on the Far South Coast of NSW (where the brand’s founder Ryan Hanrahan splits his time). It’s made in Australia using soy candle wax with a pure essential oil scent.
$59.95, from The Artisan Storeroom, Flinders. Buy it
