About Us

From Candles to Curated Gifts: Our Journey So Far

Balfern Grove isn’t just the name of our business; it’s where our story began. We’re Richard and Sargon, and we first met on a street called Balfern Grove in West London in 2013. At the time, Richard had just moved to the city to pursue his acting career, while Sargon was finishing his degree in architecture. Over many evenings spent helping each other—Sargon building architectural models and Richard experimenting with his small candle-making hobby-turned-business, we became best of team mates, started dating, and decided to focus almost exclusively on the candles.

Our candle hobby grew into something much bigger, and in time, The Recycled Candle Company was born. Based in Devon, we took old, unwanted candles from hotels, places of worship, and the public and recycled them into something new and beautiful. Over the years, we poured every ounce of our energy into building a brand that was as sustainable and ethical as possible, with a focus on transparency and environmental impact. We had two shops over the years, first in Ottery St Mary and later a larger one in Exeter, and met so many amazing people along the way who shared our passion for sustainability.

In 2023, after a decade of hard work and growth, we made the decision to sell The Recycled Candle Company and decided it was time for a new adventure. We moved just outside Manchester and are now channeling our experience, network, and passion into Balfern Grove, an e-commerce store dedicated to curating the very best in sustainable, ethically-produced giftware and homeware. Our vision is simple: we want to make it easy for people to shop consciously and understand the stories behind the products they buy.

Radical Transparency and the 5 Seedlings Rating System

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We’re committed to providing a radically transparent shopping experience. That’s why we’ve created our 5 Seedlings Rating System—a unique way to highlight the sustainability and ethical standards of every product we sell. Each item is rated out of five based on criteria that matter to us, such as ethical production, the use of recycled materials, and support for small, independent makers.

Every product on our site tells a story, and we’re excited to share those stories with you. Whether it’s an artisan piece from a maker we’ve met over the years or a brand that aligns with our eco-friendly values, we want you to feel informed and empowered in your choices. We believe that everyone’s criteria for sustainability may differ, and that’s why we’re focused on giving you all the information you need to make the right decisions for you.

Community and Connection

Throughout our candle-making journey, we had the privilege of meeting many incredible people who shared our commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. With Balfern Grove, we’re not just showcasing beautiful products; we’re creating a space where community and conversation are key. We want this website to be a place where you can learn more about the impact of the products you purchase and engage in discussions around the future of sustainability. We’re still on a learning journey ourselves and are always open to new ideas and feedback.

What’s Next

Although candles were our first love, Balfern Grove reflects our broader passions: great design, sustainability, and ethical consumerism. Sargon’s background in architecture brings a keen eye for design, while Richard’s dedication to environmentalism shapes everything we do. This new venture is an expression of who we are—both as business partners and as a couple. (Yes, we’re engaged! We got engaged in 2023, and while we haven’t set a wedding date yet, we’re definitely excited about what the future holds.)

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to making the right choices—for our customers, our planet, and the wider community. We’re excited to have you join us on this journey and can’t wait to share all the amazing products and stories we’ve discovered.

Welcome to Balfern Grove—where every purchase is a step toward a more sustainable future.