For millennia, candlestick lamps have provided light in human spaces, now serving as sculptural elements that transcend time and style. Their unique blend of modernity and antiquity, along with the antique brass and modern floor type variants, makes them irresistible. Beginners can discover how shade selection enhances candlestick aesthetics or why buffet lamps redefine narrow spaces. If you prioritise ease, discover how a candlestick floor lamp lends Victorian elegance while serving as a reading nook fixture. Join me as we commence this radiant exploration.
Candlestick Lamp Comparison
| Lamp Type | Design Essence | Ideal Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage Candlestick Lamps | Weathered metals, intricate scrollwork, and nods to early 20th-century craftsmanship. | Farmhouse kitchens, eclectic bedrooms, rustic entryways. |
| Brass Candlestick Lamps | Reflective finishes that oscillate between Art Deco glamour and mid-century minimalism. | Formal dining rooms, office desks, minimalist lofts. |
| Stiffel Candlestick Lamps | Hand-rubbed brass bases with heirloom-quality construction and traditional silhouettes. | Libraries, grand foyers, leather-clad studies. |
| Antique Candlestick Lamps | Authentic historical pieces or reproductions with deliberate aging techniques. | Vintage-themed parlors, antique collections, boutique hotels. |
| Candlestick Buffet Lamps | Sleek profiles (28″–36″) designed to cast ambient light without dominating surfaces. | Console tables, hallway niches, behind sectional sofas. |
| Candlestick Floor Lamps | Freestanding statements with adjustable heights and candlestick-inspired bases. | Reading corners, beside wingback chairs, flanking fireplace mantels. |
Type 1: Vintage Candlestick Lamps
A floral engraved base candle stick lamp that looks like it was picked up straight from a Parisian flea market. These lamps sing in settings where authenticity overshadows polished perfection.
Recommended Locations:
Bedside tables with linens, farmhouse kitchen islands.
Why Buy?
Their small size and imperfect features that tell stories make them ideal for warmer, cosier spaces.
Target Customers:
Shoppers who adore vintage pieces, shabby chic lovers.
Discover more secrets in our guide Vintage Candlestick Lamps where we explain the various types of patina as well as the safety wiring for antique pieces.
Type 2: Brass Candlestick Lamps
Pairs of brass polished candlestick lamps alongside a gilded mirror. The blend of warm polished brass and the mirrored gilding softens the sharp edges of modern art pieces. These designs shine in places where light creates decor.
Recommended Locations:
Mid-century modern offices and console side tables are located in entryways.
Why Buy?
The warm patina that develops on polished brass over time alongside natural sunlight makes these lamps a purchase worth considering.
Target Customers:
Luxe minimalism-focused customers, admirers of Art Deco.
Learn how to juxtapose brushed and polished finishes for layered sophistication in our guide Brass Candlestick Lamps.
Type 3: Stiffel Candlestick Lamps
Stiffel lamps are more about legacy and less about illumination. They are often characterized by a burnished brass base with silk empire shades that cast a golden tone.
Recommended Locations:
Libraries adorned with wood panelling, dining rooms with wainscoting styled traditionally.
Why Buy?
These handcrafted lamps made in Pennsylvania age well and appreciate over decades.
Target Customers:
Seekers looking for timeless pieces to pass down generations, purists basking in classic designs.
Explore shade pairing techniques for silk and parchment and other craftsmanship details in our Stiffel Candlestick Lamps Guide.
Type 4: Antique Candlestick Lamps
A lamp base made in the 1800s with a verdigris finish and a crisp linen shade on top. These pieces snatch attention the moment they are placed without uttering a word.
Recommended Locations:
Apothecary bathrooms and bedrooms featuring four-poster beds.
Why Buy?
While reproductions are easily priced and charming, authentic antiques offer an appealing pedigree.
Target Customers:
Interior stylists with a penchant for romance, and history enthusiasts.
Visit our guide on Antique Candlestick Lamps to learn how to spot genuine ageing versus artificial wear and tear.
Type 5: Candlestick Buffet Lamps
A pair of 32” lamps was placed on a console tabletop. They flank a floral arrangement without competing for attention. Buffet lamps are vertical lighting’s unsung champions.
Recommended Locations:
Stairsteps in conceptual lofts, narrow halls, and open-concept dining areas.
Why Buy?
They are great for cramped spaces as the height draws attention upwards thereby creating an illusion of taller ceilings.
Target Customers:
Occupants of apartments, urban residents, and minimalistic design entrepreneurs.
Learn how to achieve proportional pairing in our guides on Candlestick Buffet Lamps including perfect ratios of shade to base.
Type 6: Candlestick Floor Lamps
A sculptural yet functional boldness with a 65” lamp standing next to a velvet chaise lounge that bends its arm to shed light on the novel in hand. Even the everyday floor lamps have an elegance to them that accentuates.
Recommended Locations:
Gallery walls, empty corners behind armchairs, bay windows.
Why Buy?
Seasonal rearrangement is possible due to mobility, and low- furniture balances the space’s proportions.
Target Customers:
Eclectic maximalists as well as those who aim to optimize smaller spaces.
See our Candlestick Floor Lamp Guide for tips on placement hacks, including avoiding glare on screens.
DIY: How to Convert a Candlestick Phone to a Lamp?
Step 1: Take the Phone Apart
Take apart the receiver and the internal wiring using screwdrivers and pliers. Undo screws carefully while preserving the candlestick base and mouthpiece as they will form the lamp.
Note: Authentic antiques should have their screws documented.
Step 2: Create Wiring Channels
With a rotary tool and 1/2″ spade bit, drill a vertical hole through the candlestick’s base. For phones with solid metal cores, drill from both ends so that the channels connect. Ensure wire safety by filing sharp edges on the drilled parts.
Step 3: Put the Lamp Parts Together
Run a cloth-covered cord through the base and attach vintage-styled sockets to the mouthpiece via a 1/8 – 27 NPS threaded rod. Secure the mouthpiece with lock nuts and solder connections to ensure stability.
Step 4: Incorporate Retro Aesthetic Elements
For decor, replace the plastic parts of the receiver with a brass harp that is used to mount shades. Use LED Edison bulbs (2700K) to replicate incandescent glow while being heat safe. For replicas, faux-aged metal can be done through vinegar/salt patina.
Step 5: Put Everything Together and Check for Safety
The receiver can be reattached purely for aesthetics, but the telephone can still be used as a prop lamp. Check with a circuit tester to confirm there are no exposed wires.
For wall-mounted units, ensure to use of UL-rated anchors that will provide structure.
DIY: How to Convert a Candlestick to a Lamp?
Step 1: Examine The Shape of The Candlestick
Scrutinize whether the candlestick is hollow to check if it is drillable. Models made of brass, wrought iron, and resin are optimal. For solid wood, a 12-inch auger bit will do.
Step 2: Pathway for the Wiring
Drill a vertical hole of 3/8” down the centre. For uneven surfaces, a drill press can be used for better alignment. The threaded rod should be put (1/8-27 NPS) and locked with epoxy.
Step 3: Put in the Socket and The Harp
Retrofit kits like Westek touch dimmers can be affixed to the rod. Weighted bases can take weighted lead fishing inside hollow stems. Use felt pads to prevent scratches on the surface.
Step 4: Manage Wires
The base should have a braided cord run through with a brass grommet seal. For floor lamps, excess cords can be stored inside wooden dowels or decorative rope sleeves.
Step 5: Pairing The Shades
The shade diameter should be equivalent to the candlestick height. An example is using 10-inch Empire shades for 24-inch lamps. Those non-compatible harps can be attached using silicone adhesive.
DIY: How to Make a Candlestick Lamp from Scratch?
Step 1: Choose Your Material
For the base, use hardwood like oak and walnut or PVC pipes.
Transform bike chains or plumbing fittings into unique steampunk accessories.
Step 2: Lathe Turning & Carving
With fluted detail finishing, turn a 24″ dowel on the lathe. Apply chisels to hand carve gothic motifs for the complete design. Protect the water-resistant finish with a coat of linseed oil.
Step 3: Embedded Wiring
Use pre-drilled channels to run SPT-1 cords, or use battery-powered puck lights for wireless options inside hurricane glass globes.
Step 4: Bulb Integration
Use epoxy putty to fix E12 sockets. To convert oil lamps, adapt wick holders to retain LED tea lights.
Step 5: Finish & Customization
For a faux antique finish, apply espresso-toned dye stains. Use mica sheets and flicker bulbs to create safe, realistic, ‘candle flames.’
How to Tighten a Candlestick Lamp?
Step 1: Diagnose Wobble Sources
Check for:
Set screws located under the sockets that are too loose
Harp brackets that are too worn
Base trim that is out of balance (use a carpenter’s level)
Step 2: Socket Stabilization:
Set screw-bound sockets (often with 1/4” Allen keys) must be turned clockwise. If the threads are stripped, they can be repaired with Teflon tape, or the entire socket replaced.
Step 3: Base Reinforcement
Reduce the base’s centre of gravity by filling hollow stems with sand or BBs through fill holes. To the rim side, apply self-adhesive rubber bumpers to uneven feet.
Step 4: Thread Locking
Close rod gaps with blue Loctite on loose joints.
Loctite red glue provides a permanent bond and allows for future detachment when a hairdryer is used for heating.
Step 5: Harp Alignment
With needle-nose pliers, adjust the bent harps. Repair the distortion by substituting the warped ferrules with a harp reamer tool.
Note: it goes without saying that all lamps should be unplugged when being repaired. Vintage electrified items should be checked with a licensed electrician to make sure they are open to code.
Candlestick Lamp FAQ: Expert Explanations
Q: Can candlestick lamps be incorporated into modern farmhouse decor?
A: Of course! Matte black buffet lamps can complement shiplap walls or mix with brass Stiffel lamps and reclaimed wood.
Q: How to slow down the tarnishing of brass candlesticks in humid climates?
A: Using a thin layer of carnauba wax with gel packs around will help isolate humidity.
Q: Are converted antique candlesticks safe for everyday use?
A: Used modernized wiring makes them safe. Look for UL-listed parts and 16-gauge wire.
Q: What temperature is best for vintage-style bulbs?
A: LEDs set to 2700K closely replicate incandescent bulbs without being overly hot.
Q: Can candlestick lamps be used outdoors?
A: Yes but only if they are specifically designed for damp areas. Consider looking for weathered reproductions or crafted from outdoor suitable materials such as powder-coated brass.
Conclusion
My light source of choice would be the candlestick lamps as it offers more than just light. It offers illumination along with sculptural movement as it dynamically changes the ambience of a room using layers of light and shadow. For those who appreciate Gothic wrought iron floor lamps (source) or Scandinavian wood designs from The Country Chic Cottage (source), these lamps let you customize while still being part of an evolving tale. Use our favourite terracotta table lamps to ground the candlestick lamps with earthy contrast or showcase them as standalone minimalist statements. The right candlestick lamp imagines inspires, and creates.
