Signature Dark Concrete Candle in Gold
Ever wanted a candle to be a modern piece of artwork displayed on your dinning room or coffee table? Well, that is exactly what the artist and founder of Pop of Modern was looking for when she created the Concrete Candle. Two-toned and made from solid concrete later filled with a hand-poured organic wax blend, these candles are the perfect statement piece for the home or office. Besides their form and presence, two wicks accompany the warmth and tranquility of this functional artwork.
To compare our handmade concrete candles to the process of cultivating slow food, might possibly be an exaggeration. But, the time and energy it takes to create them is definitely accomplished with a commitment to passion and art. Artist Kristina McManus decided to create the base from concrete because she wanted to work with a natural solid material that wasn't the conventional glass or ceramic candle container. Her love of candles made from natural ingredients containing calming scents led her down the path of such a time-consuming passion project. Time-consuming because it takes quite of few days to make the Concrete Candle and it's important to highlight the fact that these are one-of-kind and not manufactured.
We decided to take some time out to describe the art-making process here, so our customers and clients understand the value and inspiration of such a handmade limited series available in our online shop.
Concrete has been used by the ancients in architecture still standing today and now we see its everyday use in modern constructions. In order to make the form for the candle base, the artist created an oblong-shaped mold, which was then filled with a water-mixture of concrete. This mixture is poured into the mold and needs about two days to dry completely. 48 hours later the base is removed from the mold and then sanded, cleaned, polished and made ready for its first coat of paint. The artist decided to go with black, graphite/grey, gold, and rose-gold colors for these limited editions candles.
Another 48 hours is needed for the first coat of paint to dry before a clear protective coat is added. The base also has an added cork-bottom for protection of surfaces from scratching. An additional 48 hours is needed for drying and then the wax blend is ready to be poured inside. Finally, after this last step, the Concrete Candle is ready to be shipped for your viewing and sensual pleasure!
Dark Concrete Candle in Graphite
Make sure to check out the Concrete Candle and Dark Concrete Candle series before these little sculptures are all sold-out. We think the look to these candles is tres industrial chic plus they burn for about 25 - 35 hours.* The hand-poured soy-wax blends are sans harsh chemicals and you can choose from either Sea Salt & Orchid, Beach Linen, or Mahogany & Teakwood scents. Go modern and adorn your space with style with the Concrete Candle!
*Please make sure to read our candle care guides for the best methods to maximize the burning time and for re-purposing the handmade sculptures.
Happy home decor shopping!
Summertime is made for enjoying time in the sun, but it can also be quite dehydrating. This week's post has just the right combination of heat and hydration and is inspired by Mexican (summer) traditions to beat the heat! If you've never been to Mexico, beaches and tacos might come to mind, but for us, so too do mouth-watering fruits and cold beverages.
We'd like to help you get your creative juices flowing at home alongside these beautiful handblown Mexican artisan glasswares by mixing up some refreshing Aguas frescas!
These "fresh waters" are traditional non-alcoholic Mexican and Central American beverages made with fresh fruit, citruses, water and sugar, normally sold by street vendors or in bodegas. There are many different Aguas frescas including those made with flowers, seeds, and/or grains, such as the well-know horchata made from rice, water and cinnamon. Since we like simplicity, we will stick to just sweet & sour fruits for our summer version of Aguas frescas (scroll down for the recipe).
We couldn't resist pairing this drink recipe with our Mexican handblown glasses and pitcher because both are made from recycled bottles (bonus!) and handblown by an artisan team in Jalisco, Mexico. Preparing and serving this Agua Fresca is a nod to the Mexican artisan & traditional culture imbued in both the Aqua and Orange Swirl colored sets. Bright citrus-fruit colors and crystal blue oceans are Mexican specialities and these handmade glasswares reflect that. Mexico is known for its artisan traditions, especially in the Jalisco state, where these glasses are made, and glass blowing is an art that requires years of mastery.
Pop of Modern is proud to be offering these artisan-made and artist-supported glasswares. As a set (pitcher and glasses) or separately, they make the perfect housewarming and newlywed gift. Happy shopping!
Ingredients & Tools:
We recommend seasonal and local produce when possible!
Directions:
After washing, peeling, de-seeding and slicing all the fruits, smash with the muddler or blend in a large enough container the watermelon, ginger or kiwi, and lime (also mint if using a muddler). Once the consistency of fruit is to your liking, add sugar and water and stir until completely incorporated. If having blended the fruit mixture, now add the fresh mint leaves by tapping them vigorously first against the wrist (to release the scent and flavor). Serve with ice, extra lime and mint for garnish and enjoy these cooling waters in the hot summer months!
*Normally Aguas Frescas are made with the fresh fruits, (sparkling) water, and sugar, but we’re going to omit the sugar of the ‘traditional’ recipe and replace it monk fruit sugar. But, this is up to you and your taste & dietary needs!
| lux·u·ry
| (noun): the state of great comfort or elegance and extravagant living.
For us, it means living in a space that is elegant—but not too cluttered—where the aesthetic is perfect for entertaining, but also for staying to enjoy the artistic tranquility displayed in one's surroundings. Peace is what we often miss in our busy lives. We search for something meaningful in items or places that bring us joy, but you don't have to go outside to look for luxury.
We crave excitement, but sometimes the excitement (or extravagance) of outside world does not match the luxury and comfort of a Modern-styled home inside. The home should be a space of intimacy, whilst also an escape from boring, drab, cookie-cutter or cluttered, loud and out-dated looks. And, yes, colors do effect our moods. If we want calm or uplifting, there are tones, shades, contrasts & even solid shapes to think about. One realizes geometry and symmetry do have a purpose in how one feels in their surroundings. With the Modern-style approach to design in the home and office, industrial constructed-elements conspire with Nature to bring presence, consistency, and purpose in our most-used spaces.
Borrowing inspiration from industrial chic styles, the focus of Pop of Modern is about adorning your space with style but not forgoing the importance of comfort. The founder and fellow artist Kristina of PoM wants to help its customers achieve a merger of luxury—not necessarily extravagance—
with comfort in their home or office by returning to hand-made and artisan objects for everyday use and appeal.
Supporting the arts and (local) artists seems like a no-brainer, but, unfortunately, there are so many cheap and quickly manufactured objects and furnishings available in the home decor market that it can be easily overlooked.
However, there was a time when quality stood for individually-made and customized pieces that were admittedly more expensive purchases; but, this was necessary for their purpose. Besides, it was the lasting aesthetic created by the artist (and not the machine) that accomplished such delight. Now, that is comfort in our opinion. So, the moral of the story is that these pieces often lasted far beyond their original purchase value and use.
Today in our modern lives, we frequently settle for cookie-cutter, mass-produced items that often break or fall apart way before we expected or wanted them to (but, hey it was on sale!). If it was cheap, it often gets thrown away and replaced by another equivalent purchase. This should be a lesson in learning about what easily consumable items and their massive by-product waste does to the world and the environment, but we won't delve further into another 'moral of the story.'
Here at Pop of Modern, we chose consistency over contemporary, and within that framework the idea of luxury blended with real comfort has a chance to progress. Certain trends come and go, but Modern style was created with lasting comfort in mind in order to balance the constantly changing world on the outside. The vision behind the boutique products and artisan/handmade items we sell is that they should bring one a sense of peace, yet, also be creative or exquisite to look at.
One such example of a modern, calming and creative look, is to combine industrial stream-lined objects (i.e., iron, metal, solid shapes, minimalist detail, etc.) with natural materials and earth-inspired tones (pictured above).
The dusty rose wall contrasts nicely with the black and grey accents that hold your everyday life items, whilst also displaying one's own personal taste and favorite treasures. Simple, peaceful elegance is achieved alongside furnishings that serve purpose and exhibit design quality, such as is in our Featured Product "Roll" Trolley Table and our geometric Magazine Holder arranged together.
The composition demonstrates functionality and style with its structure, elemental design-features, earth-toned and neutral colors. These objects are easily movable and adjustable to suit one's individual space and life, which makes it a comfortable and luxurious way to adorn your space with style. Tone it up or down, and you've got an upgraded and sophisticated space to call your own.
Is there a difference between luxury and comfort? Let us know what you think and don't forget to sign-up for our newsletter for more design tips and news!
Adorn your space with style is the motto at Pop of Modern (PoM) because we believe the home (and office) should be stylish—not necessarily flashy—in a way that brings peace of mind to support the ability to relax. Since we all lead busy, modern lives, the inspiration behind our curated and artist-led online home decor market is the Modern style.
For those unfamiliar with what Modern style means, think: clean, calm and consistency, especially in times of chaos and change. Combine this with elegance and functionality for daily use, and you've found the secret to what makes us passionate about home & office decor at PoM.
Currently, the CEO & Founder of PoM, Kristina McManus seeks a refuge from contemporary (and fast) trends to instead utilize the practicality of the modern style to bring about an ambience of sophistication. Some of the ways in which she achieves this is through painting and candle-making.
Her signature color palette consists of bold gold and achromatic, or neutral colors, such as black, grey & white—these colors can be stabilizing, but also luxurious when combined in just the right way.
Inspired by creating interiors that mix modern industrial elements with sophisticated, chic decor à la an industrial chic look; PoM features paintings, candles, everyday home essentials and furnishings for those seeking comfort in style.
The Special Edition candles featured and created by Kristina provide exactly that: stability, purpose and luxury. Candles are a classic way to add light, to relax or give some intimacy to a space. The blissful & aromatic scents are meant to add comfort and invigorate the air in the home—so that you can wind down after a busy day. As well these stylish candles are made from a wax blend free of harsh chemicals and carcinogens that many commercial candles contain.
The artist-sculpted vessels alongside the hand-poured waxes spotlight the decorative art behind the candles we sell at PoM. The natural soy-wax blends are featured with scents chosen for their fresh and calming effects on the mind and senses.
Art is surely an investment, but it doesn’t have to change the way one needs to live in comfortability. At Pop of Modern, we stand behind being content and clutter-free spaces, so that the home & office becomes a space to admire and to facilitate easeful surroundings.
We welcome you to join us and let us know what you think about our modern market!
