ILLUMINATIONS original Founder Wally Arnold was on a quest to find something unique and inspiring. While visiting London, Wally found himself standing before a shop window mesmerized by the flicker and dancing light pattern of a candelabra. The warm aura of the candlelight drew him into that welcoming space, where inspiration struck as he explored the many candles on offer.

Returning home to the U.S., Wally sought to bring his passion for candles, and the idea of living with candlelight every day, to homes and other spaces all across America. He launched the first ILLUMINATIONS retail store in 1996. The newness of using candles in everyday life as a means of transforming and enhancing environments became a welcome standard.

The brand was acquired by Yankee Candle in 2006 but the magic of Wally’s original vision was lost in the transition. Faced with recession pressures, Yankee shuttered the ILLUMINATIONS stores, and in 2009 the final ILLUMINATIONS candles were sold. After more than a decade of sharing the simple joys of living with candlelight, the ILLUMINATIONS dream was extinguished.

In 2019, one of ILLUMINATIONS loyal former customers, Mitch Davis, resolved to rekindle the dream. He sought out Wally Arnold—who provided early advice, and some of Wally’s original resources, including the brand’s favorite fragrance house and an ILLUMINATIONS former product expert, Pamela Donnellan. With great reverence for the original company and its compelling dream, the new team planned a rebirth of ILLUMINATIONS that pairs inspiring product with the intention to give back to the community.

And as before, the new ILLUMINATIONS seeks to transform the rooms people use every day into better balanced living and working spaces, where life is both accomplished and enjoyed. We plan to relight the marketplace with innovative, best quality products and inspire a sense of connection between the company, our customers and the community.

ILLUMINATIONS welcomes back our loyal customers and encourages those new to the brand to have a peek and see what’s coming for Fall and Holiday 2019!