Two days before Color & Candlelight, a recent event we did at Gracious Home in Chelsea, sponsored by Creative Candles, we decided to cut off online registration at 100. Factor in any pop-up errands or late nights out, and we figured about 60 would show. But when 85 people came looking for inspiration—and food!—my tendency to overbuy (a result of my catering days) came in handy. After all, if it's a wow factor you want, abundance is key. Here's the spread we prepared and styled using celebration candles and tapers in petal pink.  

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For the tea sandwiches, we made herbed egg salad, classic cucumber, Comstock bacon and cream cheese, and sesame-crusted chicken salad. Pressed glass cake pedestals, stacked one upon the other, added height to the table while still keeping it light and airy.
 

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After nibbling on sandwiches and sipping champagne, we started the show. First up: an inspirational slideshow, illustrating fast, easy, and inexpensive ways off adding color to your home with candles, From the foyer to the backyard, formal dinner parties to casual get-togethers, I'm a big believer in the power of colorful candles to add life to rooms and events alike.  

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Case in point: a spring-inspired table I designed just for the occasion, using handmade tapers in a cheery honeysuckle, paired with 10-hour votives in luscious lime green.

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My color inspiration came from the tablecloth, one of my favorites at Gracious Home. Like the linen we used from Calico Corners for the Easter table at Halls, this, too, is a modern take on a traditional damask. The china is from Gracious Home, topped with etched crystal finger bowls of my own. Small arrangements of roses, orchids and tulips in brass mint julep cups complemented the palette without overpowering it. 

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For a bit of whimsy, I placed gilded frogs from Gracious Home at every setting, then made simple place cards out of paper, shaped like lily pads. The flatware combines vintage brass knives and forks, French Ivory fish knives and forks from our friend Meg's shop at Pigtown Design, and mid-century modern spoons we found antiquing with Terri from La Dolfina

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On to the demos! For a no-fail centerpiece, float candles in glass compotes, along with lush flowers like peonies. Experiment with scale by placing glass hurricanes from old oil lamps around votives, keeping runaway breezes at bay. My jadeite saucers never looked so good! And finally, even Oprah loves a good colored candle, choosing celebration candles in lime green for the cover of her 10th anniversary issue!
    

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A huge thank you to everyone for making Color & Candlelight such a success, especially Jordan, Jim and Carla at Gracious Home, together with Pam and Ken at Creative Candles. Thanks also to fellow bloggers Tori with MyDeco, Caitlin with Caitlin Dentino and Nicole with So Haute for covering the event so beautifully. Now what are you waiting for, everyone? Pick your favorite color, invite a few friends over, and light up the night!