STANZA Artigiana

Italian fragrance expert and Stanza Artigiana founder, Danilo, is as passionate about sharing his craft as he is creating heavenly scents – and with a background in biotechnology and business management for fragrance brands, there's not much he doesn't know!

Danilo started making candles from a little wooden shed in North London as a way to slow down and switch off, and what began as something personal became a way of sharing his creativity,  heritage and love of fragrance. Now, he uses his Italian upbringing to shape how he hosts, saying, "I want people to feel welcome, settle in and enjoy being together. There’s something lovely about watching people who have never met start talking as they choose their fragrances and pour their candles. They leave with something they’ve made themselves, but also with a shared memory. That’s what makes teaching so special to me."

Walk us through what happens in one of your classes, from start to finish.

"We start with a warm welcome, a glass of Prosecco and a little introduction to Stanza Artigiana. Once everyone is settled, I share my story, introduce the materials we’ll be using and explain the candle-making process, so everyone feels comfortable before we begin.

Then comes one of my favourite parts: exploring the fragrances! I encourage people to take their time, notice what they’re drawn to and share any memories the scents bring back – this is often where the conversation really starts. From there, I guide everyone through preparing their vessel and wick, measuring and mixing the wax and fragrance, and pouring their candle. I explain each step as we go and make sure everyone gets plenty of individual support.

While the candles cool, we explore the connection between scent and memory, and how our sense of smell is closely linked to the parts of the brain involved in emotion and remembering. We talk about why a fragrance can suddenly bring back a childhood memory, a familiar place or someone we love, often sparking some really lovely stories around the table. At the end, everyone takes home their own handmade candle, along with the knowledge and confidence to try again. I want them to leave feeling relaxed, proud and glad they took that time for themselves."

What's the difference in energy between a class of close friends versus a table of strangers?

"With close friends, there’s usually laughter and conversation from the beginning. They know each other’s stories, tease each other about their fragrance choices and feel comfortable straight away. The class gives them a chance to spend time together doing something different. With strangers, the energy tends to be quieter at first. Being southern Italian, I bring that sense of warmth and hospitality into the room. I want people to feel as though they’ve come round to my table, so I welcome everyone personally and help them feel at ease from the moment they arrive.

Scent is a lovely conversation starter: someone mentions that a fragrance reminds them of their grandmother’s house or a holiday, and someone else shares their own memory. Those little exchanges help people open up! Making something together also takes the pressure off having to make conversation. You can focus on your candle, ask the person beside you what they’ve chosen, and let things develop naturally. I love that moment when a quiet table starts chatting and laughing. By the end, it often feels as though they’ve known each other much longer than a couple of hours."

Do you find many people come for catch ups with friends, or for date night activities? 

"Yes, and we welcome both! Friends come because they want a proper catch-up while doing something creative together: there’s plenty of time to chat, explore the fragrances and enjoy each other’s company.

For couples, it’s a lovely way to discover something about each other. A scent can bring out a childhood story or a memory their partner hasn’t heard before. Choosing fragrances and making candles side by side gives them something to share, and each candle becomes a reminder of that time together.

Whether it’s friends catching up or a couple on a date, I want it to feel relaxed and welcoming, with no pressure to be good at anything!"

Is there a myth about candle making or aromatherapy people almost always believe before class that turns out to be wrong?

"One common misconception is that you need to be a creative person to make a beautiful candle. People sometimes arrive saying, “I’m not artistic – I’ll probably get it wrong!” There is a science to candle making, and getting the measurements and temperatures right matters, but that’s what I’m there to guide them through. You don’t need any previous experience at all.

People can also worry about choosing the “right” fragrance, but I always encourage them to trust their own response. The same scent might remind one person of a summer holiday and another of their grandmother’s home. Exploring those differences is part of the pleasure. There’s no need to smell what everyone else smells!"

Do people worry more about the technical side, or about choosing the 'right' scent? How do you reassure them?

"At first, it’s often the technical side: getting the temperature right, measuring correctly or worrying they’ll miss a step. I reassure people that I’ll guide them through everything and that there’s no rush. Once they get their hands involved, that nervousness usually starts to disappear.

Choosing a scent can be a more personal kind of hesitation. People sometimes look to me to tell them which is best, but I encourage them to pause and notice their own reaction. Does it remind them of somewhere? Is it something they’d enjoy coming home to? I bring a bit of Italian warmth, and a little humour, to help everyone relax. It’s a shared table, and I’m there to help. They don’t have to arrive knowing anything; they just need to be curious."

What's the very first task you give a beginner, and why start there?

"The first thing I ask them to do is explore the fragrances. Before we get into measurements and temperatures, I invite them to smell, take their time and notice what comes to mind, a place, a person, a memory, or simply something they enjoy.

I start there because it’s an easy way into the experience. You don’t need any technical knowledge, and there’s no right or wrong response. It gets people curious, starts conversations around the table and makes the candle feel personal from the beginning."

What's the most unusual scent combination or candle design a student has ever created in your class?

"Roasted potatoes! One student created a combination using rosemary that reminded us of potatoes roasting in the oven. That’s probably the most unexpected scent that’s come up in class, and I love it!

We tend to think of candles smelling of flowers, citrus or wood, but the smells that mean the most to us aren’t always the obvious ones. Those warm, savoury notes can bring to mind a Sunday lunch, a busy kitchen or sitting around a table with family. It’s such a lovely example of how personal scent is. A comforting fragrance doesn’t have to be floral or sweet – sometimes the smell that makes you feel most at home is dinner in the oven."