Let’s Get Springy!
“Lighting a candle after a good spring clean is basically the closing ceremony.”
I'll be the first to admit I get a little twitchy over a messy house. I'll also admit that being twitchy about mess doesn't serve me terribly well with two small kids, a pug and a candle studio at home. Things can get a little wobbly.
But if you're the same, and you only properly relax once everything's back in its place, this one might be right up your street.
Folklore was a big deal when I was growing up. I spent a large part of my childhood on the edge of the Cambridgeshire Fens, and it really was a place of magic. IYKYK. Spring cleaning was never about cleaning, I mean yes it was there but it was never just about the cupboard everyone knows not to open, or the junk drawer (you know the one). It came with rules. Old ones, handed down and mostly unexplained and it was about energy, a feeling. It was mindset.
Is any of it real? No idea. Science is starting to explore some it it. Was my great-nan's house always lovely to walk into? Absolutely. That’s all I need to know.
The front door
We have a rather awkward little entryway; you more or less fall into the house as you open the front door. I like to think it's our house having a little giggle at our expense. Add school bags, coats, dog leads, shopping bags and shoes, and the tripping becomes quite literal.
So yes, roll your eyes, but clearing the clutter comes first. If you have to wrestle your way in, it's not much of a welcome home.
Now the slightly woo bit. Give it a go anyway; we won't tell. Get a broom. My great-nan was very strict about this: a good home needs a good broom. And there are rules. You never buy one in May (buy a broom in May, sweep the family away), though luckily, down here, May is nowhere near spring. You never sweep dust out of the front door either, or your good luck goes out with it. Sweep to the middle of the room and dustpan it up from there.
And yes, I'm aware of the broom's other reputation. Great-nan never confirmed or denied.
If you want to go one step further, salt turns up on doorsteps in folklore the world over. Mix a little salt and dried lavender with water in a spray bottle and get spritzy around the door. And plant lavender by the front step while you're at it. That one's simply a very good thing.
The lounge
For most of us, this is where we spend the most time. It's where we come together, where visitors sit, where we unwind. It's also where we consume: TV, films, that late-night doom scroll. A proper deep clean here is another very good thing.
I have a couple of remedies. Those who know me know my love of incense runs deep; I make my own and give it to friends and family. There's something about a little smoke that makes a room feel properly cleaned. It works just as well in a holiday house after a tense family gathering. You're welcome.
Then there's the fruit bowl. (I mean, clearly.)
My mum could peel a whole Granny Smith in one unbroken ribbon. Turns out that's an old charm: throw the peel over your shoulder and it lands as the initial of the person you'll marry. I've never once managed it in one piece, so I'm leaving that one to fate.
The rest of the bowl comes with its own gossip too:
Apples for magic, good luck and a long life
Cherries for the luckiest of lovers
Pears for good fortune, health and vitality
Apricots for dreams of a happy future
The Dutch painters knew it, the Victorians kept theirs under glass domes, and mine are on the kitchen bench. Still life magic, no dusting required.
The kitchen
The heart of the house. It's where we're fed and, for some of us, where we show love by cooking for the people we love. It's also the easiest room to turn into chaos. Come round to ours at breakfast or dinner and see.
Like the front door, it starts with clearing: the benches, the fridge, the pantry. We have a dumping chair, a bar stool where the post, bits of rock and shell, flowers picked from the garden and important notes from school all end up. It's always the first thing to get cleared. A fridge full of fresh, colourful produce feels rather special.
Then boil a pot of water with herbs and citrus. The steam carries the scent right through the house, and it smells wonderful. Want to channel your inner Practical Magic? Go for it. Say your wishes out loud over the pot, because why not. It's your party, and your cauldron. Midnight margaritas optional.
The bedroom
I like a very simple bedroom. The more jobs a bedroom has, the more stressful it gets. What it really needs is space, no clutter, plenty of air. You never want too many things pulling your attention in all the wrong directions. I like to think that this is the one room that should feel like a good hug.
I'm a lover of books and always have a pile by the bed. It calms me, unless I haven't finished one in a reasonable time, and then it starts to feel judgy. Play that one your way. Add flowers or a plant, and open the windows whenever you can, even if it's only for ten minutes.
And ALWAYS make the bed. It's my ultimate good-luck habit; I genuinely can't leave the house without doing it.
The last word
This isn't a to-do list. It's more a pick-what-calls-to-you list, so make up your own rituals that mean something to you. I find it fascinating that almost every culture has its own spring-cleaning customs and folklore. We forget them, or ignore them, but there's a real comfort in coming back to them.
What are your non-negotiables? Or is there something you've been meaning to try? Tell me in the comments, or hit reply if this landed in your inbox.
Ladies, we sweep at dawn.
Kathryn x
Our seasonal recommendations
The Granny Smith Candle. Crisp, classic, and with a mischievous gleam.
Molded from a real apple and hand-poured in a paraffin-free blend of soy and beeswax, this cheeky little number is as glossy as the fruit bowl’s prize specimen. With its clean single wick and a burn as steady as an orchard breeze, the Granny Smith proves that simplicity can be positively sparkling. A candle for those who delight in wit, freshness, and a touch of the unexpected.
Crafted with Care
Paraffin-free blend of soy & beeswax
Molded from a real Granny Smith apple
Hand-poured in small, artisanal batches
Single wick for an even, clean burn
Dimensions
Length: 7cm
Width: 7cm
Height: 6.5cm
Burn Time: Approx. 28 hours (may vary by room conditions)
Melt Style
This apple burns with admirable composure. Neat, even, and steady to the core. Best enjoyed upon a protective tray, naturally.
Care Instructions
Our candles are crafted with organic materials and artisanal hand processes, so each one is unique. To preserve their elegance:
Burn away from drafts for a steady flame.
Trim wick to 6mm before each lighting.
Never leave unattended, nor near children, pets, or curtains.
Always place on a tray or dish to protect surfaces.
Retire the candle when 5mm of wax remains.
Positively bursting with charm, our Cherry Candles are the life of any table. Each one is cast from real fruit, and with mixed colouring capturing the plump curves and irresistible shine of perfectly ripe cherries. Gathered in a box of ten, be warned, they may cause swooning.
Infused with the spirit of a long New Zealand summer, they bring a touch of cheeky indulgence and nostalgia wherever they appear, from bougie picnic tables to midnight suppers.
Presented in our signature Fable Candles box, beautifully wrapped and ready to gift (or keep, should temptation win).
Details
• Approx. 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm / approx burn time 30 mins
• Crafted from our signature blend of 100 % natural soy and sustainably sourced New Zealand beeswax
• Each piece is individually hand-poured in Auckland
Candle Care
Burn on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Trim wick before lighting and never leave unattended.
The Still Life, Brought to Life.
There is something profoundly charming about a pear. It’s the shape of heritage, of sun-drenched orchards, and now, of your most intentional tablescapes. Our Mini Pear Trio is an exercise in sculptural whimsy, designed to bring a touch of the "extraordinary" to the everyday.
Hand-poured using our signature blend of natural soy and local beeswax, these aren't just for birthdays. They are for the quiet Tuesday night dinner, the bedside table, or as a sophisticated "thank you" to the host who has everything. With no added fragrance, they emit only the faint, nostalgic scent of warm honey, a clean, honest glow that won't compete with the aromas of your kitchen.
At 5.5cm tall, they are perfectly petite but surprisingly enduring. Whether styled as a trio or scattered amongst your favourite ceramics, they offer a generous five-hour burn - ample time for the conversation to go deep and the wine to run dry.
Details
~40g pure NZ beeswax and natural soy wax blend per pear
Naturally honey-scented - no added fragrance
Multi-wick for an even, mindful melt
Approx. burn time: ~5 hours
Dimensions: 5.5 cm x 4 cm
Limited run
Melt Style - this candle burns nice and neat, it can get a little waxy and if near a draft or on an uneven surface, can burn much faster! Please always ensure that you place it on a candle tray or plate.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Our candles are crafted with organic materials using artisanal hand-processes, so no two items are exactly the same. As natural materials, they can be expected to change over time and in exposure to the elements. To best preserve the beauty and longevity of any of these candles, special care is recommended to maintain their optimum condition.
We can suggest the following special care instructions. To ensure a clean and burn, ensure that there are no drafts in your room from open windows or doors. To avoid soot and smoke, trim candle wicks regularly to approximately 6mm. Never leave lit scented candles unattended. Keep lit candle away from curtains, children and pets. Always protect the surface on which your candle is to rest when lit with a candle tray. Do not burn your candle all the way down, always leave at least 5mm of wax at the base.