Marble Paper Matches

House Beautiful once called Susan’s petite matchboxes the best around, and every box that leaves the studio today is still hand-marbled the same way. A box of fireplace matches shouldn’t look like an afterthought sitting next to a hearth.

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Decorative Fireplace Matches for Modern Homes

A plain box of matches usually gets shoved into a kitchen drawer, but decorative fireplace matches are meant to sit out in the open, right next to the hearth where they’ll actually get reached for. Susan handcrafts the paper covering each box the same way she crafts everything else in the studio, the technique taught in her marbling workshop.

These matches burn longer than a standard kitchen match, designed specifically for lighting a fireplace, a candle across the room, or a grill without singeing your fingers. Keep a box on the mantel or beside a favorite armchair, and it quickly becomes part of the room’s decor instead of something hidden away in a drawer until it’s needed for a special occasion.

The Shandells’ Collection of Decorative Fireplace Matches

Here’s what makes this small object worth displaying rather than hiding.

  • Award-winning craftsmanship. House Beautiful named the petite matchbox one of its favorites, an honor Susan still brings up often.
  • Hand-marbled, always. Every box starts with paper marbled individually, wrapped around a striker strip, which Susan finishes by hand.
  • Extra-long matches. Built for safely reaching into a fireplace or lighting several candles at once without any risk.
  • A ready-made gift. Pairs naturally with a coaster set or marbled tray for anyone setting up a new home.

From the mantel to the dinner table, these matches are built to be seen and used, right alongside a marble coaster set.

Frequently Asked Questions

They’re noticeably longer than a standard kitchen match, giving enough reach to safely light a fireplace, a tall candle, or an outdoor grill from a comfortable distance. The exact length is listed on each individual product page for reference before ordering.

Yes, every box is covered in hand-marbled paper, one sheet at a time, never machine-repeated. Patterns vary slightly from batch to batch, so no two boxes ever look exactly the same, even side by side.

Yes, they’re made for precisely that purpose from the very start. The added length keeps a hand at a safe distance from the flame, whether lighting a fireplace or setting the table with linen cocktail napkins.

Most orders ship within a week of purchase, since each matchbox is finished by hand rather than pulled ready-made off a shelf. If matches are ordered alongside a custom or larger piece, Susan will confirm if the timeline shifts at all.