There’s a quiet power in scent – the way it can soothe, uplift, and completely transform the feeling of a space. That belief is at the heart of Lemon Canary, a bespoke candle and aromatherapy studio based in Perth.
Founded by creative soul Denise Watson, Lemon Canary began with a simple desire – to craft beautiful, natural candles that not only fill a room with fragrance but also with feeling. Each piece is lovingly handmade using premium essential oils and pure, ethical ingredients, thoughtful creations that have found their way from Denise’s Perth studio into homes around the world.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Denise about her inspirations, the journey of building Lemon Canary, and how scent can play a meaningful role in creating a nurturing home environment. Her passion is evident in every flicker of candlelight and every delicate note of fragrance, each product a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and find beauty in the everyday.
Can you share your journey from your first candle creation to creating Lemon Canary?
My journey began with a deep love for natural wellness and a desire to create moments of calm and connection in everyday life. I’ve always been drawn to the magic of scent and its ability to transform spaces and moods. When I discovered candle-making, it felt like the perfect marriage of artistry and aromatherapy. I took the leap and acquired Lemon Canary in 2021 because its ethos resonated deeply with me. Since then, I’ve poured my heart into creating candles that are not only beautiful but also made with intention, using natural soy wax and pure essential oils.
Does the name Lemon Canary have special meaning? How did you decide upon the name?
Lemon Canary was founded with a vision to create light and joy, and the name reflects that beautifully. Canaries have historically been symbols of warmth and positivity, while lemons bring to mind freshness and clarity. Although I didn’t choose the name myself, it felt right to honour its origins while infusing my own passion into the brand.
The crystal-embellished candle bowls are so special. How did you come up with the idea to combine crystals and luxury candles?
Crystals have always held a special place in my heart. Their energy and beauty align so naturally with the intentions behind aromatherapy and candlelight. I wanted to create pieces that offered more than just fragrance — something that felt like a ritual, inviting customers to slow down and connect with themselves. Each candle becomes a mindful experience, blending scent, light, and the quiet presence of crystals.
What emotions or experiences do you hope your customers feel when they light a Lemon Canary candle?
I hope they feel a sense of peace, comfort, and connection. Whether it’s creating a soothing bedtime ritual, celebrating a milestone, or simply unwinding after a long day, I want each candle to be a gentle reminder to pause and breathe. It’s about creating space for small moments of magic in the everyday.
How do you choose the scents for each of your gorgeous candles? Do you follow any particular aromatherapy principles when selecting blends?
Absolutely. As a certified aromatherapist, I carefully select oils that offer both emotional and therapeutic benefits. Each scent is crafted with intention — whether it’s to uplift, calm, or ground. I think of the stories each blend tells and how it can support someone in their daily rituals. It’s a balance of intuition and knowledge, creating blends that feel both meaningful and luxurious.
As the creator of such a luxurious brand, do you have a favourite scent that you can’t live without?
It changes with the seasons, but I have a soft spot for our “Happy” blend. It’s bright and uplifting, a little burst of sunshine in a jar.
Let’s talk about the air we breathe. Why is it so important to have non-toxic candles at home and how do the added aromatherapy qualities of your candles benefit the home environment?
The air we breathe is sacred. Traditional candles often contain synthetic fragrances and paraffin wax, which can release toxins into the air. At Lemon Canary, we use natural soy wax and pure essential oils to ensure a clean burn. Aromatherapy enhances this by filling the space with scents that can calm the nervous system, boost mood, and create a nurturing environment.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own artisan brand?
Start with your why. Know what makes your heart light up and let that passion guide your process. Don’t rush to fit into trends; build something authentic and stay true to your values. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Building a brand is a journey, not a race.
If we peeked into your creative space, what would we find? Is it calm and serene, or more of a beautiful, creative chaos?
It’s a bit of both! There are moments of calm when everything is in its place, soft music playing, and sunlight streaming in. But there’s also a beautiful chaos — jars, oils, and wicks scattered about as I blend new scents or pour candles. Creativity needs a little mess sometimes.
You’re already lighting up so many lives. What’s next for Lemon Canary?
I’m passionate about deepening our connection with the community. We are currently testing locally grown and distilled essential oils for new candles and aromatherapy products. We are always looking for new collaborations with other local artisans, like our latest project with Teesh Turner Designs for new custom greeting cards. I’m also exploring ways to make Lemon Canary even more aligned with my values, ensuring every product is a reflection of care, authenticity, and love.
Take a Look at Some Favourite Products from the Lemon Canary range below
‘Aphrodite’ Crystal Candle Bowl – Inspired By Love & The Divine
The Aphrodite intentional crystal candle bowl. Inspired by love and the divine. Handmade in Australia and designed with intentions of happiness, love, divinity, clarity, intuition and enlightenment with the essential oil benefits of calm, peace and lightness of spirit.
$169.00 BUY NOW
2L Vintage Jar Soy Candle – With Essential Oil Scents
Choose to fill your gorgeous 2 litre Vintage Jar with any of our beautiful Organic Essential Oil Scents or Fine Fragrances. These candle classics are filled with creamy soy wax, the finest essential oils and premium cotton wicks.
$145.00 BUY NOW
Essential Oil Reed Diffusers – 200ml Clear Glass, 24+ Scents
Freshen your home or space with our lovely scented reed diffusers. We make these in Australia at our studio. You can select a 100% organic essential oil scent or a scent with a combination of essential oils and fine fragrance oils. Each reed diffuser is blended with love and housed in a gorgeous glass bottle. Just insert the bamboo diffuser reed sticks to release the beautiful scent. And to increase the intensity of the scent, rotate the sticks regularly.
$44.95 BUY NOW
Swan Room & Linen Mist – Peony & Marshmallow
Swan is a beautiful scent and it’s now available in this amazing room and linen mist.
Spray around the home as an air freshener or use in the bathroom to say bye bye to odours. Lightly mist linens to freshen up musty rooms.
$24.95 BUY NOW
See more luxurious aromatherapy products from Lemon Canary at www.lemoncanary.com.au
