Ox Moor House

Home Decorating for a Modern House

Category: Product

  • The Great Candle Test: Which $30+ Luxury Candles Are Worth the Splurge?

    The Great Candle Test: Which $30+ Luxury Candles Are Worth the Splurge?

    Can we talk about the elephant in the room? That $65 candle you’ve been eyeing online for three months. You know the one—it has thousands of glowing reviews, looks gorgeous in everyone’s Instagram photos, and promises to transform your living room into a Parisian café or a cozy cabin in the woods.

    But is it actually worth it? I mean, a candle is just wax and a wick, right?

    Wrong. And I learned this the expensive way.

    What Makes a Luxury Candle Actually Luxurious?

    After burning through more premium candles than I care to admit (and my wallet cares to remember), I’ve figured out what separates the truly great ones from the overpriced pretty jars.

    First, it’s the wax. Soy and coconut wax blends burn cleaner and longer than paraffin. They don’t leave that black soot on your walls, and they actually fill your room with scent instead of just making the area right around the candle smell nice.

    Second, the wick matters more than you’d think. A good cotton wick burns evenly and doesn’t mushroom or smoke. Cheap candles tunnel down the middle, leaving you with a ring of wasted wax around the edges.

    The Scent Test

    Here’s where things get personal. A $70 candle that smells like vanilla birthday cake might be amazing to your neighbor but smell like a sugar overload to you. The best luxury candles have complex, layered scents that evolve as they burn.

    I’ve found that the really good ones smell different when you first light them versus an hour later. They tell a story instead of just hitting you with one note over and over.

    Burn Time Reality Check

    Most luxury candles promise 40-60 hours of burn time. In my experience, this is usually accurate if you follow the rules—burn for no more than 4 hours at a time, trim the wick, all that jazz.

    But here’s the thing: a $45 candle that burns for 50 hours costs you about 90 cents per hour of ambiance. When you think about it that way, it’s actually not that crazy compared to other small luxuries.

    The Brands That Actually Deliver

    Without naming names (because scent is so personal), I’ve found that the brands worth the splurge usually have a few things in common: they’re transparent about their ingredients, they’ve been around for a while, and they don’t rely solely on Instagram marketing.

    The ones that have disappointed me tend to be either too trendy (all packaging, no substance) or too traditional (haven’t updated their formulas in decades).

    When to Splurge vs. When to Save

    Here’s my honest take: if you burn candles every day, the luxury ones are worth it. The cleaner burn, better scent throw, and longer life actually make them a better value in the long run.

    But if you’re a once-in-a-while candle person, or if you’re buying them mainly for the aesthetic, you might be better off with something in the $15-25 range that still looks good on your shelf.

    The Verdict

    After testing way too many expensive candles, I think there are about five brands that consistently deliver on their promises. They’re not cheap, but they’re not trying to rip you off either.

    The key is knowing what you’re paying for. Are you buying the candle, or are you buying the experience? Both are valid, but being honest about it will save you from buyer’s remorse.

    My Bottom Line

    A really good luxury candle can absolutely transform your space and your mood. But a mediocre expensive candle is just an expensive disappointment in a pretty jar.

    Do your research, read reviews from actual users (not just influencers), and maybe start with a smaller size if the brand offers it. Your nose—and your wallet—will thank you.

    And remember, the best candle is the one that makes you happy when you light it, regardless of what you paid for it.

  • Coffee Table Books That Actually Deserve Display: Our Top 15 Picks for Every Style

    Coffee Table Books That Actually Deserve Display: Our Top 15 Picks for Every Style

    Coffee table books occupy a unique space in home design—they’re both functional objects and decorative elements, conversation starters and personal statements. But here’s the thing: most coffee table books never get opened. They sit there looking pretty until they’re moved to make room for actual coffee cups, then eventually relegated to a shelf where they gather dust.

    The best coffee table books earn their prominent placement by being genuinely engaging. They’re the books that guests actually pick up and flip through, that you find yourself returning to during quiet moments, and that reveal new details every time you open them.

    We’ve spent months curating and testing coffee table books across every design style and interest area. These 15 titles didn’t just pass our “beautiful spine” test—they passed our “still interesting after six months on the table” test.

    For the Design Obsessed

    “The New Decorators” by Emma Morton

    This isn’t another sterile showcase of perfect rooms. Morton profiles real people with exceptional taste but approachable budgets, showing how thoughtful choices trump unlimited spending. The photography is stunning, but what makes this book special is how it actually teaches you to see spaces differently. We’ve caught ourselves referencing specific pages months after first reading it.

    “Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors” by Axel Vervoordt

    Vervoordt’s approach to patina, texture, and the beauty of aged materials has influenced a generation of designers. This book captures his philosophy through gorgeous photography of spaces that feel both ancient and completely contemporary. It’s the kind of book that changes how you think about mixing old and new pieces.

    “The New Bohemians” by Justina Blakeney

    If maximalist, globally-inspired interiors speak to you, this book is essential. Blakeney’s approach to color, pattern, and plants creates spaces that feel collected rather than decorated. The book works as both inspiration and practical guide, with styling tips that actually work in real homes.

    For Art and Culture Lovers

    “Women: The National Geographic Image Collection”

    The photography in this collection is absolutely breathtaking, but it’s the diversity of perspectives and stories that makes it truly compelling. Each spread offers something new to discover, making it the rare coffee table book that rewards repeated viewing.

    “Frida Kahlo: The Complete Paintings” by Luis-Martín Lozano

    Kahlo’s work deserves to be seen in large format, and this comprehensive collection doesn’t disappoint. The book includes rarely seen pieces alongside her most famous works, with insightful commentary that adds depth without overwhelming the visual experience.

    “David Hockney: A Bigger Book” by Taschen

    Yes, it’s enormous. Yes, it’s heavy. But Hockney’s vibrant use of color and his evolution as an artist across decades makes this worth the coffee table real estate it demands. The pool paintings alone justify its presence.

    For Travel and Adventure Spirits

    “The Kinfolk Travel” by John Burns

    This book captures the essence of slow travel—seeking authentic experiences over tourist attractions. The photography is gorgeous, but the real value lies in how it inspires a different approach to exploring both familiar and foreign places.

    “Cereal City Guide Collection”

    Each guide in this series focuses on a single city through the lens of thoughtful travelers who prioritize quality over quantity. The minimal design and carefully curated recommendations make these books as useful for actual travel planning as they are beautiful to display.

    “National Geographic: The Photographs” by Leah Bendavid-Val

    Decades of iconic photography from one of the world’s most respected publications. What sets this apart from other photography collections is the behind-the-scenes stories that accompany many images—context that makes you appreciate both the artistry and the adventure required to capture these moments.

    For Food and Lifestyle Enthusiasts

    “My Paris Kitchen” by David Lebovitz

    This isn’t just a cookbook—it’s a love letter to Paris told through food and stories. Lebovitz’s writing is engaging enough to read cover to cover, but the book also works beautifully for casual browsing. The photography captures both the food and the city in ways that make you want to book a flight immediately.

    “The Kinfolk Table” by Nathan Williams

    Simple, seasonal cooking presented with the clean aesthetic Kinfolk is known for. The recipes are approachable, but it’s the styling and photography that make this book a standout coffee table piece. It promotes a philosophy of gathering that feels both aspirational and achievable.

    For Architecture and Space Lovers

    “The Iconic House” by Dominic Bradbury

    This collection of architectural masterpieces spans decades and continents, showcasing homes that changed how we think about domestic space. Each house is presented with both historical context and stunning contemporary photography, making complex architectural concepts accessible to any design enthusiast.

    “Small Homes, Grand Living” by Gestalten

    In an era when space is at a premium, this book showcases how thoughtful design can make compact homes feel spacious and luxurious. The practical solutions and creative use of space make this genuinely useful for anyone dealing with small-space challenges.

    For the Naturally Inclined

    “The Well-Gardened Mind” by Sue Stuart-Smith

    This beautiful exploration of how gardens heal and inspire combines stunning photography with thoughtful writing about the connection between gardening and mental health. Even non-gardeners find themselves drawn to the peaceful, contemplative mood this book creates.

    “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben

    Wohlleben’s insights into forest ecosystems are fascinating, but it’s the large-format photography of forests around the world that makes this work as a coffee table book. It changes how you see trees and forests, making even urban dwellers more aware of the natural world around them.

    How We Choose Coffee Table Books

    Our selection process goes beyond beautiful covers and impressive photography. We live with these books for months, noting which ones we actually return to, which spark conversations with guests, and which continue to reveal new details over time.

    We also consider practical factors: Does the book lie flat when open? Are the pages thick enough to handle regular browsing? Is the binding sturdy enough to withstand being picked up repeatedly? The most beautiful book in the world isn’t worth displaying if it falls apart after a few months of normal use.

    Styling Your Coffee Table Books

    The key to styling coffee table books is restraint. Three to five books maximum, unless you have an exceptionally large coffee table. Stack some, lay others flat, and leave space for actual use of the table.

    Consider varying heights and orientations—a tall book next to a stack of shorter ones creates visual interest. And remember that coffee table books work beautifully in other locations too: console tables, ottomans, and built-in shelving all benefit from the same thoughtful curation.

    The Investment Perspective

    Quality coffee table books hold their value remarkably well, especially titles from respected publishers like Taschen, Phaidon, and Rizzoli. They’re also gifts that feel substantial and considered—the kind of present that communicates real thought about the recipient’s interests and style.

    More importantly, the right coffee table book becomes part of your home’s story. It’s the book guests always comment on, the one you find yourself photographing when the light hits it just right, the one that still catches your eye months after you first placed it on your table.

    The Bottom Line

    The best coffee table books earn their place not just through beautiful photography, but by offering genuine substance that rewards repeated viewing. Whether you’re drawn to interior design inspiration, artistic photography, or cultural exploration, these 15 titles deliver both visual impact and lasting engagement.

    What coffee table books have earned permanent places in your home? We’re always on the hunt for hidden gems and reader recommendations. Share your favorites in the comments—your discovery might become our next obsession.