KaarsKoker candle sleeves add warmth and a touch of pizzazz to light fixtures

When I was growing up, my parents had a gold chandelier in our dining room that I always thought was a little much for our casual suburban lifestyle. But since we never really ate in the dining room, with most meals spent around a well-loved round oak table in the kitchen, the chandelier added a little glamour to the special occasions we spent under it.

The fixture itself was pretty standard, no doubt purchased from a department store in the late 1970s. No real flair or pizzazz, just a run-of-the-mill chandelier with faux white candles as lights. It didn't even have hanging crystals, which would have made me infinitely fonder of it, given my love of sparkly things.

I have no idea where that chandelier ended up, but after discovering KaarsKoker, a newly launched line of decorative replacement candle sleeves for light fixtures, I wish I had it to hang in my house. These candle sleeves are so gorgeous that they could make even the dullest chandelier shine.

KaarsKoker is Dutch for "candle sleeve." Developed by local interior designer April Pride Allison, each sleeve is a cardboard tube covered with beautiful art paper in a variety of styles, from solid colors to patterns, including seasonal and kid-appropriate ones. The cardboard tubes come in standard candelabra diameter, and are either 4 or 6 inches long, but are easily customized by cutting to the right length for your fixture.

The designs for the patterned sleeves reflect classic motifs. The "Clover," dubbed the "gateway koker" by Allison, is a rich-looking pattern reminiscent of a Renaissance tapestry. The "Fretwork" is pure style, reminding me of the classic Greek Key motif, and the "Cone," with half circles that overlap like fish scales, comes in a variety of chic color combos to add a little Art Deco to your décor.

Some of the more whimsical options include the "Skull," perfect for Halloween (or a pirate-themed room); the "Cane," which comes in blue and silver stripes for Hanukkah, and red, pink and white for Christmas; and the "Dot," which is just the right shade of pink to fluff up your chandelier for a girly-girl's birthday party.

KaarsKoker candle sleeves are sold in pairs and range in price from $12 for the solid colors to $12-$23 for the patterned ones. The sleeves are sold online at kaarskoker.com and at Great Jones Home.

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