Stwert, I just moved this thread to the challenge archives, let me know if you want to continue on it and I can move it WIP instead.

I agree with the light thing. Take a look at this, it's a nice ref for indoor candle light.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jalalspages/2177964819/

I'm not sure what the easiest way to do it would be, but you could try adding a wall in the background for light to bounce off and sample the colors from that image on the color ramp of a volume light it should give you a nicer fall-off.

Nilla