We wear our vast British history proudly on our sleeves – after all, not many companies can attest to 250 years of service.
There is one that comes very close, however.
Charles Farris is a luxury scented candle company whose history spans all the way back to 1845. In the near 200 years since its humble origins on a Victoria-era corner of London, Charles Farris has modernized and innovated at every junction to become the monument of British craftsmanship that it is today.
We sat down with their Head of Marketing, Kamila Miller, to discuss their storied past, and the importance of scent in the home.
Tell us about the Charles Farris brand and your ethos
Charles Farris started off as a grocer selling household items for the people of Kensington: soaps, oils, etc. Soon, he noticed a high demand for candles at his local church, and so he took it upon himself to make high-quality candles that utilized well-established crafting techniques.
After not long, the candles were in demand all across Central London until they adorned the city’s most prestigious buildings, including Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.
It was this quality that eventually earned endorsement by Her Majesty, and it’s this quality that we’ve remained committed to all these decades later.
We’ve benefited from the knowledge passed down by generations of skilled candlemakers, allowing us to remain an integral part of the London scene.
How would you describe the importance of scent to create mood and atmosphere in your home?
More than any kind of decor, fragrance can instantly evoke the mood of any time of year. For instance, the orange and clove of our ‘A Winter’s Tale’ scent instantly conjured images of festive lights, a warm fire, and snow falling just on the other side of the window. It’s a final touch that really brings you closer to this intangible Christmas feel.
What is your signature scent, and what does it try to evoke?
Our signature fragrance is definitely Garden of Eden. It’s a floral, feminine scent that conjures images of a blooming English garden in the spring. It’s the perfect scent to burn after the spring thaw to close out the chillier winter months.
What scents would you recommend for a bedroom or quiet living space, versus a more practical space such as a kitchen?
For the bedroom, floral scents are ideal to connect to that sense of cleanliness and clarity; our Elizabeth scent is a bedroom favourite according to some of our customers.
When it comes to the kitchen, herbal and citrus scents are always the way to go; you want your fragrance to complement the food you’re making. Our minty ‘British Expedition’ scent is a perfect example of a candle that won’t ever feel out of place whilst you’re in the middle of making a dish.
Tell us about your luxury dining candles: Can you share some tips for how to incorporate them to elevate a dining arrangement?
Our dining candles are perfect for any mealtime. When burned correctly, they won’t drip wax anywhere or require any kind of clean-up afterward. You want to keep them away from airflow or heat, but otherwise, they make an elegant final touch to any mealtime, especially any festive feasts you may be having this time of year.
