How To Upcycle A Candlestick Into A Kitchen Essential You'll Love

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What do you do with a single, mismatched brass candlestick, particularly if symmetry is important to you? You create a gorgeous pedestal dish that adds a touch of warm, vintage class to your kitchen. This is a simple upcycle that is absolutely charming and useful, too. In a few steps, your lonesome candlestick will take on a new role as a stylish sponge holder that will be right at home in boho kitchens that nail the eclectic aesthetic. 

This sweet upcycle is a different take on using vintage ceramics as decor. You're taking two thrifted items (or even odds and ends you have around your home that you no longer use) and repurposing them both into something that's beautiful and functional. To make your own, you'll need a shallow ceramic bowl, dish, or tray and a brass candlestick. Make sure that the size of your bowl is proportional to the candlestick to prevent top heaviness, which could cause it to tip over. Try to find a dish with a flat base that's slightly larger than the top of the candlestick, giving the brass a flat, broad surface to attach to. 

Apply glue to the top of the candlestick, press firmly to the base of the bowl, and give it a moment to set. Hot glue is a suitable option, but you'll get a more permanent connection by using Gorilla Glue as it's waterproof and specifically made for gluing a variety of materials, including ceramics and metals. Once it's firmly attached and the glue is dry, you can go ahead and use it.

To change the look of the finished project, buy or thrift patterned bowls in colors that suit the design style of your kitchen. Choose solid colors for a simpler look, or embrace whimsy with delicate flowers and trailing leaves. Intricate geometrics with rich colors enhance the warmth of the bronze and add a bit of Moroccan drama to your kitchen. Or, switch things up and choose a ceramic candlestick to pair with a metal dish. Any similar items can go together to create the stand and bowl of the holder.

As far as upcycling projects go, this one is great for use in the kitchen. In fact, it may just boost the appeal of being up to your elbows in soapy water and dirty dishes. You can use it for sponges, as a ring holder while you work, or to hold other little kitchen items. A short, chubby brass candlestick holder can be combined with a shallow, oval shaped dish to use as a spoon holder next to the stove. 

However, there's no reason it has to stay in the kitchen. Clean up the candlestick with a Twinkle brass & copper cleaning kit, fill the bowl with snacks, and set it out alongside beautiful dining table centerpieces that will look good all year long. Brass works well in bathrooms, too, as it is durable in damp environments. Use your pedestal dish for a bar of soap, paired with an actual candle. The candlelight will play across the surface of the bronze, creating cozy, warm reflections that dance across the space. Whether it stays in the kitchen or tours your home, this is a highly versatile upcycle!