Feel Ordinary Life: Culinary Candles Redefine Home Ambience

Chunyang Wang’s aromatic candles blend tradition with sensory innovation

Chunyang Wang’s “Feel Ordinary Life” collection reimagines the essence of Chinese cuisine by turning its most iconic ingredients into sculptural candles. Drawing from the daily habits of Chinese households, the design juxtaposes the pungency of ginger, garlic, and scallions with refined fragrance profiles, creating a product that is both visually striking and olfactorily surprising. This unexpected blend of form and function is intended to spark curiosity and delight, inviting users to rediscover the beauty in the ordinary.

Each candle in the collection is meticulously handcrafted to replicate the natural shapes of its culinary inspiration. The ginger candle, for example, offers a sophisticated blend of floral and fruity notes, while the scallion candle features woody and floral undertones. The garlic candle surprises with a fresh, spicy, and woody aroma. These carefully curated scent profiles elevate the humble kitchen ingredients into objects of sensory art, blending traditional Chinese culture with contemporary design sensibilities.

The production process involves intricate mold-making to ensure each candle captures the lifelike detail of the original plants. Essential oils are blended to evoke the essence of each ingredient, with the ginger candle featuring notes of pear, lily-of-the-valley, and musk; the garlic candle combining coriander, lavender, and cedarwood; and the scallion candle layering bergamot, sandalwood, and violet. The result is a multisensory experience that appeals to both the eyes and the nose.

Functionality is as unique as the design, with each candle’s asymmetrical shape causing it to burn in an ever-changing, artistic manner. This ensures that every lighting becomes a new visual and olfactory experience, making these candles not just decorative objects but evolving works of art. The collection’s technical specifications include precise dimensions and high-quality materials, such as hot-stamped paper and pearl cotton, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship.

Available exclusively at Tsutaya Books, OoEli, Hangzhou from April 2023 to April 2024, this limited-edition series has already gained recognition, winning the Bronze A' Giftware Design Award in 2025. The award highlights the collection’s ingenuity in combining art, science, and design to enhance everyday life, making it a standout in the world of lifestyle innovation.

By transforming everyday culinary ingredients into objects of beauty and sensory pleasure, Chunyang Wang’s “Feel Ordinary Life” candles invite a renewed appreciation for the ordinary, encouraging a deeper connection with both culture and home environment.