In The Hothouse with Sarah Bell
This month, we spoke to Sarah Bell, Founder of Evermore Candles. After searching for clean fragrances to scent her home, Sarah was inspired to start natural candle brand Evermore London in 2014.
Guided by sustainable and eco-friendly principles, Evermore London candles are crafted from a blend of rapeseed and soy wax, packaged in recycled glass jars and hand-poured in the UK. From alpine forests to open seas, each scent is a celebration of the beauty of nature.

Please tell us all about you and Evermore
In 2014, I decided to revisit making something with my own hands and bought myself a candle-making kit online. That’s when I realised just how many candles were made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances. I thought there must be a more natural, authentic way to create them, and I soon became obsessed with researching fragrances, essential oils and natural waxes.
Eight years later, the business has grown and is now stocked at Net-a-Porter, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. We’re still a very small team, but that keeps us reactive and on our toes. We have some very exciting plans for this year, which we’re excited to share more about.
Do you have a favourite cut flower and why?
I love parrot tulips. I adore their unusual shape and the way they elegantly droop over time; it makes them appear to be swaying from side to side. There was a time in the 1600s when tulip bulbs were considered more valuable than gold! I’ve always loved that little fact.
What do flowers mean to you?
Hope. When the bulbs start to peak through in my garden, it brings me so much joy and it’s really quite humbling to see how nature has such powerful effects on us. Flowers also remind me of all the big life events which I find very beautiful to look back on – my wedding, the birth of my son, anniversaries, birthdays, my first home – the list goes on.
“Flowers also remind me of all the big life events which I find very beautiful to look back on – my wedding, the birth of my son, anniversaries – the list goes on.”
Sarah Bell
How do you like to display flowers around the home? Do you have a favourite vase or place to put them?
I have a huge array of vases – they’re something I do like to collect and although they are beautiful on their own, they look even better with fresh blooms inside. I like having flowers on my bedside table – it’s a lovely thing to wake up. I always put a little vase of flowers in our guest room too when we have someone staying – I hope it makes people feel welcome.


What flowers do you like to receive?
I like receiving much more wild arrangements and like to go with the seasons. If possible, I would like them to be from the UK too. It’s important to me to support local British growers and the flowers speak for themselves.
“I like having flowers on my bedside table – it’s a lovely thing to wake up. I always put a little vase of flowers in our guest room too when we have someone staying – I hope it makes people feel welcome.”
Sarah Bell
What’s the connection between flowers and your creative process?
Although not all our fragrances are floral, I usually have a bouquet in my mind for the scent we’re about to create. Flowers feature consistently in our lifestyle photography; it’s a nice way to bring it all back to nature, both in my mind and with the visuals we create.


Describe a favourite piece from your collection or a particularly memorable collection that you have designed and tell us why it stands out?
I loved creating Venus – it’s a floral fragrance – the main note being tuberose. The final scent is deeply luxurious and reminds me of the of spring in full bloom. My inspiration was British gardens in May, full of colour and beautiful fragrances. When this candle was released, we were just emerging from the covid pandemic, and it felt like a whole new lease of life. On set for the shoot, the entire photography studio was covered with beautiful flowers and I was in my element.
Each Evermore candle is crafted in the UK; how important is local production to you?
Extremely important. We work really hard to ensure our supply chain is as close to home as possible. It isn’t always completely possible, but we work to make changes where we can.
Please provide your top tips for a memorable Valentines Day?
I would say that the best Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost the earth. It’s always nice to receive flowers and gifts, but really it’s about making the day memorable.

What exciting things do you have in the pipeline that you can share with us?
We’re in the process of moving studios which is exciting. We’re working with Coat Paints to redecorate the space and I’m very much looking forward to getting stuck in on the project. It’s going to be an open-door candle studio where clients can visit and learn more about our process.
Later this year, we’ll also be releasing a new product line, which has been in the works for some time now!
Quick-fire questions:
Neutral or colourful flowers?
Colourful
Neat or wild arrangements?
Wild
Pretty, dainty flowers or big, showy blooms?
Both! but if I had to choose, showy blooms
Top Evermore product recommendation right now?
Favourite design from the Paul Thomas Spring Collection (inspired by English Country gardens)?

