A New Antique Store In Healdsburg

 Antiquing in Healdsburg is one of our favorite pastimes, especially in January.

Recently, we discovered a new antique store called French Market Antiques.

It's right next door to our favorite antique mall that recently closed, so it was kind of bittersweet to discover something new, yet sad to see the mall all closed up and empty.

We realized that the proprietor was actually in the mall next door and now has her own store.

Although not a lot of merchandise, what was there was very good.

I was wishing I had a place for the marble top bistro table which was very reasonably priced.

Lately I've been falling for baskets like this one, but ended up passing it up.

A beautiful green pharmacy bottle caught my eye.

A great map of Paris!

What I couldn't resist though is this French wine poster.

It is perfect for the wine country!

Although it could use a nicer frame and Mr. A wasn't happy with the water stain on the corner, I didn't care.

It now hangs in our little rental cottage!

I love antiquing in January!

French Market Antiques
226 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, California
415-306-1363

Antiquing in "Juneuary"

What to do when it's June and record setting rainfall?

Go antiquing!

Darting in and out of shops, trying to stay dry, we found this kilim ottoman for a song.

I had no idea where to put it, until I got home. It is perfect in front of the leather chair in the reading room in Asti!

We also found an iron settee, chair and table for the pool house balcony.

It has been a three year search, and of course I don't have a photo since it was raining so hard!

On our way home yesterday, we stopped in the sleepy little town of San Anselmo and braved more rain.

San Anselmo has some great antique stores. I found this lamp! One of a pair, stay tuned to where it is going to go!

Even the Alameda Antique Faire was rained out. Rescheduled for next Sunday, I'm praying for good weather!

Treasure Hunting Across the Bay

My friend Lisa has been telling me about an antique store on her side of the Bay that has more majolica than I could ever imagine! So, last week, I drove across the bridge and met her for lunch and treasure hunting.

The lovely Terri, treasure hunter extraordinaire from La Dolfina also joined us for lunch. Two bloggers and a designer together! Needless to say, we had a lot to talk about!

After lunch, they were both excited to show me Friendship Farm Antiques. Sure enough, this store has a ton of majolica. I was in heaven!

They sell transferware too. I should have bought this Masons Vista pitcher!

All three of us walked out empty handed. No worries though, Terri knows all the best consignment and thrift stores, so off we went!

I lucked out at the cutest little cottage, turned thrift store when I spotted this ironstone butter tub. $4 please!

Also, this bee skep for $8! After I finish my planting project on the side porch, it will fit right in!

My "big ticket item" though is this faux bamboo etagere. Only $125! The tops of the shelves have been painted black, so that's probably why it wasn't more. However, I like it that way.

Now, where to put it. Certainly not in this bathroom!

It was such a fun day! What could be more fun--friends, antiques and lunch!

The Hillsborough Antique Show

The Hillsborough Antique Show and Sale is held three times a year. I almost never miss a show, especially the first one of the year held in February.

You most likely won't find any bargains here, but if you are a collector, this is show!

You can find your missing sterling silver pieces here, as well as fine art and jewelry. I like to go just for inspiration and to visit some of my dealer friends, however this time I was on the hunt for another confit pot to add to my collection.

With my new Droid in hand, I managed to capture a few images of unique items on display, like this Hermes wicker covered thermos. Wow! It was very expensive though!

A lovely "squash blossom" turquoise necklace. Someday....!

I thought this would be perfect for that cabin in the woods!

I resisted though....

Loved this mustard jar from France.

The dealer had a few items like this. But which one to choose?

After much wheeling and dealing, I bought this wonderful old mustard pot from France. Not the confit pot I was looking for originally, but a new addition to the few bistroware pieces I already have.

Here it is on the kitchen island waiting for me to decide where it will live. I can see a huge bouquet of flowers in it!

I also found this three tiered victorian stand. Not sure what I was thinking!

It can be used for many purposes though. I put it beside this chair in the sunroom for now.

And finally, this wicker chest. When I saw it, I thought it would be perfect as a night stand next to the bed in the pool house bedroom in Asti.

Southern Living

I had saved this photo as inspiration, so when I saw the wicker trunk, the lightbulb went off! Question is, should I stencil black letters on the front or just leave it? Either way, don't you think it will make a great night stand?

With one last weekend of warm weather, we're heading up to Asti with a new mattress strapped on the roof. Yes, we will look like The Clampetts! But finally, we can set up the bedroom in the pool house. I can't wait to put it all together! I wrote about the pool house bedroom back in June here.

Hunting and Gathering at Candlestick Park

Northern California's newest antique fair is held at Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco 49ers. BFF Maureen and I went yesterday, and had a great day of doing what we love to do more than anything: hunting and gathering!

We both ended up finding our treasures within the first half hour!

Maureen considered this pair of lamps, but ended up walking away from them. I was lusting after the angel in the birdcage. Actually, the birdcage was calling my name too!

What I did buy from this dealer though is this pair of candlesticks.

Maureen fell in love with this "fake" trumeau mirror. The dealer said it came out of a hotel and was probably from the 40's. Priced right, she bought it without hesitation!

Close up of the linen scene on the mirror.

I could have arm wrestled her for this! But she had the perfect place for it, and I didn't!

I can't wait to see where this ends up in her home.

The popular antique linen and pillow dealer was there.

I was tempted to buy this adorable pillow for the granddaughters....

Uh oh! How cute are these tartan slippers?

Another favorite dealer has lots of wool and flannel shirts, mostly from Pendleton.

A nice pair of botanical prints.

Just enough rusty, crusty stuff to look at!

The Candlestick Park Antiques and Collectibles Faire is held on the third Sunday of the month...

...Unless it's football season.

Not yet as big as the Alameda Antique Faire across the Bay, I have no doubt that it eventually will be.

My candlesticks from Candlestick Park now have a new home!