SPOILT FOR CHOICE: To Be Calm (above) stocks soothing scents in its stores at Capitol Piazza, 112 Katong and Pasarbella.

‘CANDLES ARE LIKE LITTLE STATUS PIECES YOU PUT ON YOUR TABLE OR CUPBOARD AT HOME FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.’ - Robert Upton, whose brand of six candles is called A Dose of Something Good. He taught himself perfumery and personally pours a high-quality paraffin-vegetable wax blend by hand into hand-cast porcelain jars, each scented with a specially concocted fragrance

SPOILT FOR CHOICE: Soy wax melts by Artisan’s Garden are gaining popularity for their cleaner burning.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE: Online design portal Bloesem (above) holds special candle-making classes

TEMBUSU SCENT: Tembusu Tree fragrance candle, S$70, by the Gardens Shop at Singapore Botanic Gardens (botanicgardensshop.sg). Made from 100 per cent organic soy wax, this intensely exotic floral fragrance with woody undertones is inspired by the Tembusu tree.

EVOKING AN ASIAN KITCHEN: Bitter Sweet, S$68, by A Dose of Something Good (www.dose.sg). Referencing the smell of herbs most often used in an Asian kitchen, burn this candle for an aromatic whiff of freshly pounded lemongrass hearts and ginger.

ISLANDER AMBIENCE: Singapore Journey (above), S$35, by To Be Calm (www.tobecalmgroup.com). By partnering with the popular Singaporean artist Pamela Yee, who goes by the moniker Papergirl on its illustrated box and label, this candle is perfect for visitors to our island city with its Singapore white frangipani and ginger plant scent.

NOSE FOR TRAVEL Romance of Travel, S$60 for a set of three candles or one for S$23, by The 1872 Clipper Tea Co (www.clippertea.com.sg) From a collection of tea-scented candles inspired by three cities, Singapore Sunrise (above) is a blend of passionfruit, mango and refreshing green tea to evoke the vibrancy of our tropical island city.

NOSE FOR TRAVEL Romance of Travel, S$60 for a set of three candles or one for S$23, by The 1872 Clipper Tea Co (www.clippertea.com.sg) From a collection of tea-scented candles inspired by three cities, Singapore Sunrise (above) is a blend of passionfruit, mango and refreshing green tea to evoke the vibrancy of our tropical island city.