Casa de Coralina is a soulful candle brand blending Brazilian roots with British craft. We create soy candles that turn everyday rituals into moments of belonging.
The Founder
I’m Raph – the hands, heart, and mind behind Casa de Coralina.
As a Brazilian living in the UK, I haven’t always felt at home here. There were times I felt like a stranger in a strange place, searching for a sense of belonging. That search led me to create candles – small rituals of light and scent that soothe my heart and mind.
Now, through Casa de Coralina, I craft fragrances that I hope will do the same for you – helping you feel like you belong wherever you are, and reminding you that home is not a postcode, but a feeling.
The Poet’s Home
When I was a child, I visited the home of a poet. She published her first book at the age of 75 and became one of the most important voices in Brazil. I fell in love with her story.
Her name was Cora Coralina.
Where Do I Belong?
When I sold everything I had and bought a one-way ticket to the UK, I carried a mix of excitement and loss.
At first, I didn't feel like I was home. The language, the food and the way people lived their lives felt alien to me. Don't get me started with the weather...
But strangely, when I went for holiday in Brazil, I also didn't feel like I belonged there anymore.
I was in a nowhere place for a while.
Holding it tight
It was a long journey to feel like I belong where I am.
When I started making candles, I was drawn to the scents that reminded me of my childhood home. Lemongrass, cinnamon, fig, lavender... They sent a direct message to my brain that I came from somewhere, that I cared deeply about my memories and I loved that part of my story.
But I also fell in love with new scents, like honey, spiced orange and caramel, that represented this new chapter in my life.
I finally felt like I could hold both my past and my present really tight with both arms. I had given permission to myself to belong where I was, to love the present and be proud of my past.
What makes you feel at home?
Is it a citrus smell from childhood? A flame that brings comfort? Beautifully designed objects or maybe handcrafted products?
You deserve belonging and love, and I hope you always find it.
