Set the Mood: 12 Paint Colors That Are Perfect By Candlelight

"Is this pink or peach or apricot? It's warm and changeable, and those are the two things you want. This color actually magnifies candlelight and makes it more lively. I'll often put candle brackets in a bedroom to create a romantic mood — sort of like having a fireplace, but easier to achieve." —Thomas Jayne

"Nothing can compare to the richness and elegance of a true, deep navy. Dark and mysterious, it has the most intriguing way of reflecting light. The glow of this shade in high gloss is mesmerizing. Candlelight and people sparkle under its spell!" —Megan Winters

"With hints of sage green, this color reminds me of a fall morning in New York's Hudson Valley. It has the ability to stand on its own or be a stunning backdrop, especially when lit by candles for a Thanksgiving dinner of golden turkey, deep red cranberries, and my favorite garnet sweet potatoes." —Sarah Magness

"I'm seeing a lot of coral lately, with those lovely pink undertones that warm up a room. Add some turquoise accents for a Mediterranean vibe. Before guests arrive, I'll light a candle — the fragrance helps get all the senses aroused and sets the tone for a great party." —Kristin Peake

"This is the color of the darkest, sweetest summer plum, and it's luscious on dining room walls. Pair it with pale pink fabric, silver candlesticks and flatware, and fern-green flower arrangements. It's a fresh alternative to the traditional reds and burgundies." —Ann Wolf

"Imagine all the lights off and just that one candle lit, reflected on the watery blue-green walls. It would be a very sexy bedroom. And when I use candles, I like to add some gilt — on a table or a frame — to catch the light, almost like an old Dutch painting." —Barry Dixon

"It sounds counterintuitive to go with a dark color in candlelight, but a pale color just absorbs the light, while this dark gray intensifies it and takes on a beautiful amber cast. A dining room feels more intimate, and food looks like a banquet out of Tom Jones. I recommend a flat finish so the light can spread rather than burn." —Lee Melahn

"I'm envisioning a room the color of the midnight sky. Candlelight dances like stars on the dark walls. Paintings seem to float, and a mirror reflects white sofas accented with Indian and Moroccan textiles in royal purple, raspberry, and acid green." —Jennifer Garrigues

"This is a metallic paint that looks like wonderful old tarnished silver. It gives more texture and dimension to your walls and makes them shimmer. It would look fabulous in a dining room, a powder room, or a woman's office — swanky and glamorous in a very understated way." —Dana Lyon

"Think Drottningholm Palace in Sweden, the Green Salon in the Chinese Pavilion, with white boiserie panels picked out in gold. This green is an 18th-century color but looks completely up-to-date — perfect for a party and raising the spirits. Light the candles and fill your glass with absinthe." —Kevin Lindores

"Firelight and dark colors go back to the caves — it's very primal. This is a plum-andumber mix that flatters every skin tone. I used it in a bedroom done as a tribute to Tallulah Bankhead — very seductive — with gauzy linen sheers, a mirrored dressing table, taupe silk, and burnt orange accents." —Michael Roberson