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7 Artisanal Candle Makers Taking Home Fragrance Beyond P.F. Candle Co.

Chris Chan

Chris Chan

Co-Founder @ Marmalade

Published on: November 18, 2024
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Remember when P.F. Candle Co. felt like a secret handshake among design enthusiasts? Their amber jars and Teakwood & Tobacco scent have become so ubiquitous that they've practically achieved mainstream status. But while P.F. Candle Co. blazed the trail for artisanal home fragrances, a new wave of independent candlemakers is quietly revolutionizing the category. We've found several brands that match P.F.'s quality while bringing fresh perspectives to everything from vessel design to scent development.

Yield Design
: Where Architecture Meets Aromatics

The 850 mL Glass French Press isn't just another pretty vessel. Founded by Rachel Gant and Andrew Deming, this Florida studio approaches candlemaking with an architect's precision and an environmentalist's conscience. Their aesthetic philosophy centers on what they call "warm minimalism" – think clean lines softened by organic elements and thoughtful material choices.
What caught our attention is their innovative approach to sustainability through multi-functionality. That glass French press? It doubles as a striking candle holder, exemplifying their commitment to objects that transcend single uses. Their manufacturing partnerships, including collaborations with fair trade ceramics producers in Vietnam, suggest a thoughtful approach to ethical production that doesn't sacrifice aesthetic standards.

Why we like Yield

  • 1

    Architectural Design

    Brings professional design principles to home fragrance vessels

  • 2

    Multi-functional Products

    Creates versatile pieces that serve multiple purposes

  • 3

    Ethical Production

    Partners with fair trade manufacturers for sustainable creation

April Ouweleen

April Ouweleen

10/27/24

Sy the Cobalt Hue brings a ray of Sunshine into the morning

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AMASS Store
: The Distiller's Take on Home Fragrance

When a master distiller decides to create candles, you know you're in for something different. Morgan McLachlan, the mind behind AMASS Store, brings her expertise in botanical distillation to the world of home fragrance. Their approach mirrors the complexity of craft spirits, with scents that develop and evolve like a well-crafted cocktail.
The Riverine collection showcases this unique methodology, with fragrances that unfold in layers rather than hitting you with a single note. Their focus on clean botanicals isn't just marketing speak – each ingredient is meticulously sourced and non-GMO, selected for its role in what they describe as "social and self-care rituals." We're intrigued by how their background in distillation translates into more sophisticated scent development.

Why we like AMASS Store

  • 1

    Distillation Expertise

    Applies spirits-making knowledge to create complex, layered scents

  • 2

    Clean Botanicals

    Uses non-GMO ingredients for pure fragrance profiles

  • 3

    Ritualistic Approach

    Creates scents designed for meaningful moments

The Verticale

The Verticale

01/10/24

P.S. this is woman-owned!

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Yui Brooklyn
: Where Kawaii Meets Concrete Jungle

In a 10,000-square-foot workshop in Industry City, Yui Kobayashi is creating something entirely unexpected. The Abstract Brothers Unique Shaped Candles merge Japanese kawaii aesthetics with Brooklyn's industrial edge, resulting in sculptural pieces that challenge our expectations of what a candle can be.
These aren't just design objects – each piece is hand-crafted using natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. Kobayashi's experience as a non-English speaking immigrant influences her visual language, creating pieces that communicate across cultural boundaries. The brand's evolution from kitchen experiments to Urban Outfitters partnerships shows how authentic cultural fusion can resonate without compromising artistic vision.

Why we like Yui Brooklyn

  • 1

    Cultural Fusion

    Blends Japanese kawaii with Brooklyn industrial aesthetics

  • 2

    Sculptural Design

    Creates unique shapes that double as art pieces

  • 3

    Artisanal Production

    Hand-crafts each piece with natural materials

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Siblings
: The Zero-Waste Pioneers

Eva Eckerblad and David Bronkie are tackling throwaway culture head-on with their innovative refill system. Instead of perpetuating the cycle of buying and discarding vessels, Siblings encourages reuse through their clever DIY approach. Their No 04 — Eucalyptus, Balsam, Wild Berries fragrance demonstrates how sustainability needn't mean compromise.
The numbers speak volumes: their packaging is 60% compostable, using plant-based materials that minimize environmental impact. By considering everything from shipping weight to packaging disposal, they're addressing sustainability from every angle. The DIY element transforms candle-making into a ritual, connecting users with the production process in a way that mass-market brands can't match.

Why we like Siblings

  • 1

    Zero-Waste Focus

    Pioneers refillable candle systems to reduce waste

  • 2

    Sustainable Packaging

    Uses 60% compostable materials

  • 3

    DIY Experience

    Transforms candle-making into an engaging ritual

Emma Leuchten

Emma Leuchten

02/15/24

These DIY candle making kits were a perfect activity/gift for my extended family during the holidays

The Verticale

The Verticale

02/07/24

Give your empty candle vessels a new life

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Homecourt
: The Skincare Approach to Home Scent

When Courteney Cox decided to create home fragrances, she brought a surprising influence: skincare. Their signature Candle incorporates skincare-grade ingredients into sophisticated scent profiles, housed in understated ceramic vessels that wouldn't look out of place in a high-end spa.
Rather than simply creating pleasant aromas, these fragrances are designed to influence mood and enhance specific moments throughout the day. This consideration of how scent interacts with daily life reflects a deeper understanding of home fragrance's role in our routines.

Why we like Homecourt

  • 1

    Skincare Integration

    Uses skincare-grade ingredients in fragrance development

  • 2

    Mood Enhancement

    Creates scents designed for specific daily moments

  • 3

    Sophisticated Design

    Offers spa-quality vessels for elevated home decor

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Brooklyn Candle Studio
: Small-Batch Philosophy, Bigger Scale

Tamara Mayne's Brooklyn Candle Studio proves that growth doesn't have to mean compromise. Their Brooklyn Classic 2-Wick Candle maintains the attention to detail of a boutique operation while reaching a wider audience. From their Industry City workshop, they're demonstrating how traditional techniques can adapt to larger-scale production.
Their commitment to in-house production and eco-friendly materials (soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks) shows that environmental consciousness can scale alongside business growth. We're particularly impressed by how they've maintained their artisanal roots while expanding their reach.

Why we like Brooklyn Candle Studio

  • 1

    Scaled Craftsmanship

    Maintains artisanal quality at larger production volumes

  • 2

    In-House Production

    Controls quality through direct manufacturing

  • 3

    Eco-Conscious Materials

    Uses sustainable ingredients without compromise

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Apotheke Co
: The Fragrance Laboratory

In their Red Hook factory, Chrissy Fichtl and Apotheke Co are approaching scent development like scientists in a laboratory. Their White Vetiver Classic Candle exemplifies their technical expertise in fragrance creation, while unexpected collaborations (including one with Shake Shack) demonstrate their experimental spirit.
Their use of ScentTrek technology alongside traditional handcrafting techniques represents a fusion of innovation and craftsmanship. This balance of technical precision and artistic intuition is establishing new benchmarks for luxury home fragrance.

Why we like Apotheke Co

  • 1

    Technical Innovation

    Uses ScentTrek technology for precise fragrance development

  • 2

    Creative Collaborations

    Partners with unexpected brands for unique offerings

  • 3

    Scientific Approach

    Applies laboratory precision to artisanal production

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The Future of Flame

These seven brands represent different paths forward for artisanal candlemaking, each bringing unique innovations to the craft. From architectural vessel design to zero-waste systems, they're proving there's still plenty of room for innovation in this ancient art form. While P.F. Candle Co. may have introduced many of us to artisanal candles, these makers are writing the next chapter in home fragrance.