entertaining

If you are hosting a highly curated, maximalist dinner party, a spectacular floral centerpiece or an expensive linen tablecloth is standard. But if you look at the towering brass candelabras in the center of the table, you will likely see incredibly boring, flat, standard-issue white wax taper candles.

In recent years, luxury home decor stores have begun selling extravagantly hand-painted taper candles—featuring wrapping vines, intricate blooming roses, or bold, colorful geometric check patterns—for up to thirty dollars a pair.

You do not need to spend thirty dollars. You can buy a massive utilitarian box of cheap white emergency candles from the grocery store for five dollars and paint them yourself. However, painting onto physical wax is chemically difficult (paint hates wax). Here is the exact methodology to ensure your vivid colors stick to the candle and burn safely.