What Is the Marstrand Candle Lantern?

The Marstrand Candle Lantern is a decorative storm-style lantern made from glass and leather. It was designed by Martin Dos Santos for Skargaarden, a company known for modern Scandinavian furnishings and accessories intended to work comfortably in outdoor living spaces.

The lantern measures approximately 7.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches long, and 9.4 inches high. Those proportions make it larger than a typical votive holder but less imposing than the oversized floor lanterns often positioned beside front doors.

Skargaarden offers the lantern with either light-colored or dark-colored leather. Copper buttons secure the leather around the glass and allow the wrap to be removed, making the lantern easier to handle and clean. The contrast between clear glass, warm leather, and small copper details gives the design much of its charm.

A Storm Lantern Reimagined for Modern Homes

Traditional storm lanterns were practical objects designed to protect a flame from moving air. The Marstrand borrows that familiar enclosed form but turns it into a refined home accessory. It does not pretend to be camping equipment, nor does it arrive looking ready to guide a ship through fog.

Instead, it translates the storm-lantern concept into a modern decorative language. The glass body showcases the candle, while the leather softens the silhouette and helps the lantern blend with wood furniture, natural textiles, stone surfaces, and neutral interior palettes.

Why the Marstrand Name Fits

Marstrand is also the name of a coastal community in Sweden, so the lantern’s name naturally brings to mind sailing, rocky shorelines, weathered docks, and long evenings near the water. That association suits a portable candle lantern built around glass, leather, and warm illumination.

You do not need a Swedish summer house to appreciate it, however. A city balcony, suburban patio, modern living room, or quiet reading corner will do perfectly well. Fjord not included.

Design Details That Make It Stand Out

Clear Glass Creates an Unobstructed Glow

The transparent glass body allows candlelight to remain visible from nearly every angle. Rather than directing illumination downward or hiding the candle behind decorative perforations, the Marstrand lets the flame become the center of the composition.

Clear glass also makes the lantern visually lighter. Even though the piece has a strong presence, it does not form a dark block in the middle of a dining table or shelf. During the day, surrounding colors and materials remain visible through it. At night, the surface reflects the flame and produces a warmer, more layered effect.

Leather Adds Warmth and Character

Leather is an unusual material for a candle lantern, and that is precisely why the design feels memorable. Metal lanterns can appear industrial, while all-glass hurricanes sometimes look formal or fragile. Leather sits comfortably between those two extremes.

The light leather version has an airy, relaxed appearance that works beautifully with pale woods, linen, rattan, and coastal decor. The dark leather option feels moodier and more architectural, pairing naturally with walnut, blackened steel, concrete, and deeper color schemes.

Like other natural materials, leather may develop subtle changes in tone and texture over time. For many owners, that aging process is part of the appeal. The lantern can acquire a lived-in personality instead of remaining suspiciously perfect forever.

Copper Buttons Provide a Small but Important Accent

The copper fasteners are functional, but they also keep the lantern from feeling visually plain. Their warm metallic color complements the leather and candle flame without adding excessive decoration.

This is a good example of Scandinavian restraint: the design includes enough detail to remain interesting but stops well before the lantern begins wearing the decorative equivalent of three necklaces and a feathered hat.

A Portable Size for Flexible Styling

At roughly nine and a half inches tall, the Marstrand can move between rooms and outdoor areas without becoming a logistical project. It can sit at the center of a small dining table without blocking conversation, rest on a side table beside a lounge chair, or anchor a group of decorative objects on a console.

Its compact footprint also allows several lanterns to be arranged together. A pair creates symmetry, while a group of three can establish a more relaxed, collected look.

Where to Use the Marstrand Candle Lantern

On an Outdoor Dining Table

The lantern is especially well suited to outdoor meals because it provides atmosphere without requiring electrical wiring. Place one in the middle of a round table or use two along the center line of a longer rectangular table.

Keep the surrounding decorations simple. Linen napkins, ceramic plates, a low arrangement of herbs, and one or two lanterns are usually enough. The Marstrand already combines three attractive materials, so it does not need to compete with a centerpiece shaped like a small rainforest.

Beside a Patio Seating Area

Position the lantern on a stable side table near an outdoor sofa or lounge chair. The gentle light can define the seating area after dark and make conversations feel more intimate.

Remember that a candle lantern provides accent lighting rather than strong task lighting. It can make a drink look inviting, but it probably will not help you locate a tiny screw that fell between the deck boards.

On a Console or Entryway Table

Indoors, the Marstrand works well on a console, especially when paired with a mirror, a simple ceramic vessel, or a stack of design books. The transparent glass keeps the arrangement from appearing too heavy, while the leather introduces warmth.

A flameless pillar candle is a practical option in an entryway. It can be activated with a remote or timer, producing a welcoming glow without requiring someone to patrol the foyer with a candle snuffer.

Near a Fireplace Hearth

A lantern can add visual warmth to a fireplace even when no fire is burning. Place the Marstrand beside the hearth with a second lantern or a low basket of neatly arranged wood.

Maintain generous distance from active flames, sparks, hot surfaces, and fireplace tools. Decorative layering is lovely; accidental experimentation with combustion is less charming.

In a Bedroom or Reading Corner

For bedrooms and reading corners, use a high-quality LED candle rather than an open flame. The flickering effect creates a restful atmosphere, while the clear glass distributes the light softly around the space.

Pair the lantern with warm table lamps instead of relying on bright overhead lighting. Layered, low-level illumination can make a room feel calmer and more comfortable at night.

How to Style the Marstrand Candle Lantern

Keep the Scandinavian Look Minimal

For a classic Scandinavian arrangement, combine the lantern with pale oak, off-white textiles, matte ceramics, and a restrained palette of gray, beige, cream, or muted green. Allow empty space around the lantern so its materials remain visible.

Minimal styling does not mean the room must look like nobody lives there. Add a folded wool throw, a bowl of fruit, or a small branch in a vase. The goal is calm, not witness protection for household objects.

Create a Coastal Setting

The Marstrand’s glass-and-leather construction works naturally in coastal interiors. Pair the light leather version with weathered wood, woven seating, soft blue textiles, and natural linen.

For a sheltered outdoor table, place the lantern near a shallow bowl containing smooth stones or shells. Keep loose decorative fillers outside the lantern when using a real candle so they cannot shift toward the flame.

Build a Modern Rustic Display

Use the dark leather lantern with reclaimed wood, black metal, stoneware, or textured wool. The result feels rustic without becoming overly themed.

A dark Marstrand Candle Lantern also makes an effective contrast on a pale limestone hearth or light wood console. The key is to repeat at least one dark element nearby, such as a picture frame, vase, or lamp base, so the lantern looks connected to the room.

Decorate for Fall and Winter

During fall, surround the lantern with a few small pumpkins, dried leaves, or branches in muted colors. In winter, add evergreen clippings, pine cones, or a simple ribbon to the surrounding display.

Never attach dry greenery, paper, ribbon, or fabric close to the top of a lantern containing a burning candle. Use flameless candles for elaborate seasonal arrangements, particularly when decorations extend over or around the glass.

Use Multiple Lanterns for Greater Impact

One lantern creates a focal point; several create an environment. Place two lanterns at opposite ends of a dining table or arrange three along a broad outdoor ledge.

When grouping lanterns, vary their surrounding heights rather than placing each on an unstable riser. Books, trays, and pedestals are appropriate for unlit displays, but real candles belong on level, heat-resistant surfaces.

Choosing the Right Candle

Real Pillar Candles

A properly sized pillar candle delivers the authentic movement and warmth many people want from a glass lantern. Choose an unscented candle for dining areas so the fragrance does not compete with food, flowers, or that heroic garlic bread you spent all afternoon making.

The candle should sit securely in the center and remain separated from the glass and leather. Follow the lantern manufacturer’s instructions and the safety label supplied with the candle.

Flameless LED Candles

A battery-operated LED pillar is the easiest option for homes with children, energetic pets, crowded surfaces, or residents who occasionally forget why they walked into a room. Modern flameless candles can provide convincing flicker effects without open flame, smoke, soot, or melted wax.

Models with timers are particularly convenient. Once programmed, the lantern can illuminate automatically each evening and switch off later without supervision.

Scented Versus Unscented Candles

Scented candles can work in open living areas, but fragrance should remain secondary to the lantern’s visual effect. Strong scents may overwhelm a compact room or interfere with an outdoor meal.

Unscented pillars are the most versatile choice. They allow the Marstrand Candle Lantern to create ambience without making every gathering smell like vanilla frosting, cedar forests, or an aggressively festive cinnamon warehouse.

Candle Safety and Proper Use

Decorative lanterns make candlelight easier to control, but glass walls do not eliminate the risks associated with an open flame. Safe placement and supervision remain essential.

• Place the lantern on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface.
• Keep it away from curtains, paper, dried plants, upholstery, and other combustible materials.
• Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep the lantern beyond the reach of children and pets.
• Avoid locations exposed to strong drafts or moving air.
• Trim the candle wick to approximately one-quarter inch before lighting.
• Do not move the lantern while the candle is burning or while the glass remains hot.
• Extinguish the flame before going to sleep or leaving the area.

Because the Marstrand includes leather, avoid placing a live flame where excessive heat could affect the wrap. Use only a candle size appropriate for the lantern, and never improvise with multiple candles unless the manufacturer specifically approves that arrangement.

For unattended decorative displays, timer-controlled LED candles are the smarter choice. They provide the evening glow while dramatically reducing the possibility of a surprise visit from the fire department.

Cleaning and Caring for the Lantern

Cleaning the Glass

Allow the lantern to cool completely before cleaning. Remove the candle and, when appropriate, detach the leather wrap using the copper buttons. Wipe the glass with a soft, lint-free cloth.

For fingerprints or light residue, use a small amount of mild glass cleaner applied to the cloth rather than sprayed directly onto the assembled lantern. Avoid saturating the leather or copper hardware.

Caring for the Leather

Dust the leather gently with a dry or barely damp cloth. Do not soak it, scrub it aggressively, or apply an unknown household cleaner. Leather conditioners can change color and sheen, so test any approved product in a discreet area first.

Store the lantern in a dry, temperature-controlled location when it will not be used for an extended period. Prolonged moisture, intense sunlight, and severe weather can alter natural leather and create deposits on the glass or hardware.

Removing Wax

If wax drips onto the glass, wait until it has cooled and hardened. Carefully lift away the bulk of the wax with a nonabrasive tool, then clean the remaining film according to the manufacturer’s care guidance.

Do not pour boiling water into cold glass or subject the lantern to sudden temperature changes. Thermal shock is not a cleaning method; it is an excellent way to turn one glass lantern into several inconvenient pieces.

Is the Marstrand Candle Lantern Worth It?

The Marstrand is best viewed as a design object rather than a basic candle holder. Less expensive lanterns can certainly contain a candle, but few combine glass, removable leather, copper hardware, compact proportions, and Scandinavian styling in quite the same way.

It may be worth the investment for homeowners who appreciate natural materials, restrained design, and accessories that can move between indoor and sheltered outdoor settings. It is also a thoughtful housewarming, wedding, or anniversary gift for someone whose home already leans modern, coastal, or Scandinavian.

Buyers seeking powerful illumination, rugged camping equipment, or a completely weatherproof lantern should consider another category. The Marstrand’s purpose is atmosphere. It is there to make the table glow, soften a dark corner, and quietly convince everyone that the evening is going remarkably well.

Experiences With the Marstrand Candle Lantern

The first noticeable quality of the Marstrand Candle Lantern is that it feels decorative even in daylight. Many candle holders look unfinished without a flame, as though they are waiting for their shift to begin. The Marstrand behaves more like a sculptural accessory. The broad glass surface catches reflections from windows, while the leather wrap adds enough texture to keep the piece from disappearing into the background.

On an outdoor dining table, its size feels particularly well judged. It is tall enough to create a visible pool of warm light but short enough that guests can maintain eye contact across the table. That detail becomes surprisingly important during dinner. A beautiful centerpiece loses some of its charm when everyone must lean sideways to ask who wants more salad.

With a real pillar candle, the glass produces small reflections that make one flame appear richer and more dimensional. The result is not bright, but it is effective. Plates, glasses, and nearby faces pick up a warm highlight, while the rest of the patio remains gently shadowed. Used alongside string lights or a low outdoor lamp, the lantern helps create layered illumination rather than a single harsh source.

The leather also changes the emotional tone of the object. A plain glass hurricane can feel formal, especially in a carefully arranged room. The Marstrand feels more relaxed. The material suggests luggage, saddlery, sailing equipment, and other objects designed to travel and age gracefully. The copper buttons reinforce that sense of practical craftsmanship.

Moving the lantern between spaces is easy because it does not dominate a tabletop. It can begin the evening outdoors beside appetizers, move to a sheltered side table after dinner, and later serve as a soft accent in the living room. Naturally, a live candle should be extinguished and the lantern allowed to cool before it is moved. A flameless candle makes this routine considerably simpler.

The light and dark leather versions create noticeably different moods. Light leather looks fresh beside pale oak, white ceramics, and linen napkins. It is particularly attractive in coastal or modern organic spaces. Dark leather feels richer and more dramatic, especially against stone, walnut, or black metal. It can make the same flickering candle appear warmer by contrast.

After repeated use, practical habits quickly develop. Fingerprints are more visible on the glass after guests move the lantern, so a soft cloth nearby is useful. A centered candle burns more attractively and keeps the composition balanced. LED pillars are more convenient for long evenings, while real candles are worth using when the visible movement of a natural flame is central to the occasion.

The experience ultimately depends on expectations. The Marstrand will not illuminate an entire patio, replace a reading lamp, or survive careless treatment like an industrial utility lantern. What it does exceptionally well is create a focal point. It turns an unused corner into a destination and makes a simple table feel prepared for company.

That may sound like a small achievement, but ambience is often built from small decisions: a softer light, a comfortable chair, a drink within reach, and a phone placed face down for once. The Marstrand Candle Lantern fits naturally into that ritual. It provides just enough glow to make people stay outside a little longer, continue the conversation, and postpone the universally unpopular task of clearing the table.

Final Thoughts

The Marstrand Candle Lantern succeeds because it does not overcomplicate a simple idea. Clear glass displays the flame, leather gives the object warmth, and copper fasteners add a subtle crafted detail. The result feels modern without being cold and decorative without becoming fussy.

Whether placed on a patio table, beside a fireplace, or on an entryway console, the lantern brings a calm Scandinavian glow to its surroundings. Choose light leather for an airy coastal mood, dark leather for deeper contrast, and a suitable pillar or LED candle based on how and where the lantern will be used.

Most importantly, treat the Marstrand as ambient lighting rather than a utility lamp. It will not help you perform surgery or assemble flat-pack furniture after midnight. It will, however, make the room look considerably better while you decide where that mysterious extra screw belongs.

SEO Information