Of the Nick and the Candlestick, Santos says, “I'm obsessed with these simple candle holders. Unusual and ethereal, these are the perfect addition to any tablescape or mantlepiece.” The piece is comprised of nine brass candleholders that rest on a rich walnut tray.

LUP CANDLE HOLDER Inspired by Scandinavian tradition and the short daylight hours of the Northern climate, the Lup Candleholder brings warmth and light into the home. The minimal construction creates a continuous line and minimal form.

LUMBERJACK CANDLE HOLDERS Danish designer Simon Legald was inspired by the silhouette created in a tree trunk as lumberjacks slowly chop away toward its center when he conceived of this colorful series of Lumberjack Candle Holders. Each set is carved from a single, cylindrical piece of solid wood. Made in Denmark.

Something Festive: Giving something festive is all well and good but even better is if that something can also be displayed year round. Consider a beautiful candle holder like the Lup Candle Holder designed by Shane Schneck for HAY.

LES PERLES CANDLE HOLDERS For Les Perles Candle Holders, FX Balléry drew inspiration from classic wooden beads produced in the Jura Mountains. Its steel base comes with eight interchangeable wooden pieces that can be put together to create unique and changeable candlestick designs.

Posada also shares a topographic candle holder, pictured here.

All prototypes have been designed, manufactured and glazed in Heath's San Francisco studio.

With a shiny copper-plated base and a mirrored luster glass cover, the Hurricane Lamp is a decorative element that looks sophisticated, whether or not the inner candle is illuminated. The mirrored glass reflects the hurricane’s surroundings when the candle is not lit, adding dimension to the accessory.

A comely trio of Dansk candle holders.

Morrison and collaborator James Irvine, a friend from college, unveiled this influential line of home goods for Cappellini at the 1992 furniture fair in Milan, making a strong case for pure, minimalist design. In addition to re-investigating the form and function of everyday objects, it also featured the work of then up-and-coming designers such as Tom Dixon and Konstantin Grcic.

The Asymmetrical Candle Holders are a functional work of sculpture—The bowl-like silhouette of the holder is designed to reflect light and catch wax drips. And when the holder stands without a candlestick, it creates a striking accent for a tabletop or mantel. Available in three sizes, the holders can be grouped together or used as standalone accents.

The Cog Candleholder series from Tom Dixon blends elegance and industrial inspiration. Each statuesque holder is made out of machined raw aluminum on a traditional lathe that is brass plated and finished with a clear lacquer. According to Santos, “These industrial cog candle holders are so elegant. I love using them on entryway tables.” Enter for your chance to win two Tom Dixon Cog Candle Holders here. Be sure to enter by December 19, 2014.

Inspired by Scandinavian tradition and the short daylight hours of the Northern climate, the Lup Candleholder brings warmth and light into the home. The minimal construction creates a continuous line and minimal form.

Set a mood with the Marble and Copper Chunk Candlestick Holder. The play of elegant marble and copper makes this table accent an ideal Valentine’s Day decoration, while still being subtle and modern.

Lup Candle Holder by Shane Schneck for HAY, $45 at store.dwell.com The gentle loop of this solid-copper candle holder won't block views of the person on the other side of dinner table.

The Wave Candlestick Holder combines traditional craft production with a contemporary design sensibility. Hand-turned by artisans in Jaipur, India and designed by Michael Dreeben for AKMD, the Wave Candlestick mimics the undulating curves of sine waves. Each candlestick is made from repurposed, sustainably harvested Mango wood—a native tree to India— and is burned and oil finished.

The Asymmetrical Candle Holders are a functional work of sculpture—The bowl-like silhouette of the holder is designed to reflect light and catch wax drips. And when the holder stands without a candlestick, it creates a striking accent for a tabletop or mantel. Although the candle holders are asymmetrical in nature, they are physically sturdy. Available in three sizes, the holders can be grouped together or used as standalone accents.

Designer FX Balléry was inspired by the classic wooden beads produced in the Jura Mountains when he created his series of Les Perles Candlestick Holders. Featured here, the Extra Large holder includes a steel base with three candlesticks that can be reshaped and restructured by interchanging the wood beads. Les Perles is both a plaful and refined holiday gift. Also available in small and large sizes.

From a new location at Hudson Mercantile, Sight Unseen Offsite will present its annual showcase. Look out for various designers' takes on the candle holder, like these versions by Joe Doucet, presented by the American Design Club and Roll & Hill. (500 West 36th Street)

Like a forest of pyrex tubes, the glass Mistic Candle Holder/Vase, designed by Gaia & Gino, can be used as either a candle holder or a vase. This collection won the Red Dot Design Award in 2008, Wallpaper's 2007 Best Centerpiece Design Award, and the Design Plus Award in 2006.

Toronto industrial designer Dylan McKinnon's black metal candle holders come in three configurations: tea light, single candle, or candelabra.

Originally inspired by components of Bower NYC’s furniture line, the Forma Sculptural Candle Set began as a small sculpture. After deciding that the piece needed another element to bring it to life, the designers added a candle—fire—to create a more complete accent. The set is comprised of a soy wax candle with a cedar scent that is housed in a simple glass vessel, a brass tube that can be used as a match extender, a corian surface, glass mirror, maple wood, and brass shapes. All of the elements combine to create a candle holder that is a truly functional work of art.

The Carrie Candle Lantern is a distinctive accessory that can be used both indoors and out. Featuring a handle and base crafted from powder-coated steel, the Carrie includes a glass vase that can be used with a tall candle, flowers, or other items that deserve showcasing.

The Orbit Sconce is a modern interpretation of original American wall-mounted candle holders. The sophisticate light source is as much a functional lamp as it is a work of sculpture. The lamp features a spun brass disc that orbits around the stationary bulb, similar to the way in which planets orbit the sun. The brass disc and arm help frame the simple light bulb.

Tallow candle by Ontwerpduo.

Designed by Ariane van Dievot, the Avandi Candlestix Candle Holder Set is a series of three sleek candlestick holders. Made from machined solid brass, each candle holder has a decidedly modern shape, and includes a pointed top for both securing a candlestick and stacking other holders in the series.

An Alvar Aalto table is surrounded by a quartet of the designer’s Chair 65.

Two overlapping pieces of mouth-blown glass form the Loistava Candle Holder by Harri Koskinen for Marimekko. Available in the Dwell store, the Loistava candle holder exudes softly colored light.

The barware, candle holders, dining set, lantern, terracotta planters, outdoor seating, and side table are all from the Modern by Dwell Magazine collection for Target. The fire pit is from Restoration Hardware.

Based in Minneapolis, photographer Chad Holder captures people and spaces around the world. He returned to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to shoot a creative home designed by Tonino Vicari that he first captured in 2006 for Dwell, when the residents’ son was only five. “It was so much fun to walk back into the home and see the family again,” Holder says. “Gary is now 14 years old, and he was much more helpful—I put him to work as my assistant.”

Product Design: You’ll be the star of the next charrette by throwing around some of these words. Illustration by Andrew Holder

Each featured artist is introduced before a selection of his or her work is presented on the following pages. Here, one of the images used in the opener for San Diego-based printer Andrew Holder.

Check holders are made from aluminum-cast bones.

Quickly recalling the warm, organic, functional design of Scandinavian modernism, the Marstrand Candle Lantern ($180) by Skargaarden can be used indoors and outdoors. Its leather strap can be comfortably held or easily hung on the wall.

Last but not least, the Carrie Candle Lantern ($110) also mixes modern design with time-tested illumination (in this case, the humble candle). Designed by Norm Architects, its powder-coated steel design is at home on a patio, in a living room, atop a dining table, and throughout the modern home.