Brocante Treasures From Paris

 All my brocante treasures made it home safely!

Not that I bought that much--only what I could fit into my suitcase, but I was worried about these two bistro jugs.

Aren't they cute?

 I wonder what little French bistro they came from?

I couldn't pass them up!

The set of six vegetable botanicals were an easy fit.  I nabbed them for 6 euros each and plan to frame them to hang on the kitchen wall in the wine country.  

Each one is unique...

This one is my favorite because of the vivid color.

I got carried away only once at the flea market when I bought this bolt of linen.

I have no idea what to do with it, but am sure it will come to me!

A tablecloth?  A slipcover?  Pillows?

The possibilities are endless....

 Six forks and spoons also made it home.

Like I need more silverware!

I love their fleur de lys pattern...

...but what really intrigued me was the stamped maker's mark on the front.

Not all of them were stamped but I was able to find six of each that were.

I can't wait to set the table with them.

I bought the bistro jugs and linen from this lovely lady.

She was so friendly and I felt like she was a kindred spirit.  

Not only did she have all the things I love and collect...

 ....but she wore a leopard hat and a paisley scarf!

I hope to go back to the Paris Flea Market some day and visit her again.

Who knows what treasures she will have!

(I'm sharing this post at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday)

Shopping The Paris Brocante

The flea market at Saint-Ouen, just outside of Paris is a must if you love antiques.

In fact it is the largest sales area in the world for antiques with 14 markets spread over 753,000 square feet!

There is something for everyone at the "Puces."

From 18th and 19th century furniture... 

...to more current and trendy industrial finds.

You can even buy squares of antique oak flooring.  

One of a kind pieces as well, like this unique hand-made framed "diorama" of a stuffed bird in its environment.

I had a hard time passing these two up!

The flea market is rich in history too, beginning in the late 1800's when the Paris rag-and-bone men moved outside of the Paris city limits and settled in Saint-Ouen.  Every Sunday they spread their wares on the ground.

Around 1920 the "Puces" dealers began selling from enclosed stalls like above.

I got lost a few times, but it was a good thing!

I found it fascinating that the flea market has its own jazz called manouche jazz which came from the gypsies who worked as chair caners and were influenced by Afro American music.  It is indigenous to the Puces!

I found so many fabulous finds but getting them home is a real problem. 

Yes, there are shipping companies who will arrange to ship.  I got a quote to ship a huge lidded wicker basket that cost 350 euros but the shipping was 700 euros!

It just didn't make sense.  

Imagine what it would cost to ship this huge oak kitchen island with stainless top!

It was another one of a kind piece.

I imagined how much fun it would be to be decorating a Paris apartment and shop here for chandeliers like this rock crystal lovely...

...that would be in the same room as a pair of vintage leather chairs.

Or a pair of caned chairs upholstered in tartan!

We had a blast at the flea market and ended up going both Saturday and Sunday.

It is easily reached by cab, metro or bus.

We took a cab there but had a hard time hailing a cab to go back to Paris.

Some parts of the flea market didn't feel safe and we were told by the cab driver to watch for pick-pockets and to avoid certain areas.

Still, we were in brocante heaven there.

Stay tuned to see what I bought and managed to carry home in my suitcase!

Buy It!

Reese has a new word: "BUY IT!"

It was a beautiful sunny day in Alameda last Sunday--perfect flea marketing weather!

We headed across the SF Bay to the monthly Alameda Antique Fair with #1 daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids in tow, as well as her mother-in-law visiting from Colorado. It was a very fun day.

What my daughter Melissa soon found out is that you don't have your 19 month old child "try something out," if you aren't prepared to "BUY IT." Reese had a melt down when she realized she couldn't take the tricycle home. Needless to say, her mommy had to "BUY IT."

The only thing I was looking for was a pair of crusty, chippy fanback chairs for the reading room balcony. This one was too fragile and there was only one. Darn.

This was the busiest show yet. There were so many great booths too.

Big Daddy's Antiques is my favorite dealer here. He never disappoints. Just back the truck up, because you want to take everything home! I was coveting these columns!

And these wicker barstools.

Oh, be still my heart! A wine stave chandelier for candles! My heart was pounding as I knew this was a one of a kind fixture. Most of them are electric and this one would be perfect in our dining room at the Asti house. People were circling. I knew we might have to fight for it!

After much negotiations with Shane, Big Daddy himself, a deal was made and we decided to "BUY IT"

SOLD!

And so the chandelier obsession continues......

(I think I need an intervention!)

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer. That's where you will find me and others with our outdoor posts.

Brocante in California!

Last weekend we searched out antiques in every possible place. From Salvation Army to The Alameda Antique Faire and all the antique stores in between!

The Alameda Antique Faire was quiet because of Super Bowl Sunday. Fine with me!

I always make a point to visit Big Daddy Antiques. Shown here is one of their industrial tables and two incredible lanterns.

I thought this lamp was incredible too!

This center island for a kitchen is my favorite. If I ever remodel a kitchen from scratch, I would consider this. Can't you just imagine copper pots hanging from that rack? I think I would prefer the surface to be Carrera marble though.

This large birdcage was up for consideration.

I would have bought this cement della robbia but the dealer wanted too much money for it. It was also broken on the back. Too bad.

Isn't this a great idea for an urban "fire pit?" A pot of sand with votives. No pollution!

What we did buy though was this chair! Underneath are two wooden candlesticks.

Back at home, we assessed our damage! Not too bad really. Here is a close up of the candlesticks on the chair.

Close up of the chair detail. I love the fleur de lis of course!

So what else did we buy last weekend? Well, these purple glasses found at Salvation Army Distribution Center in Healdsburg were a great buy. Practically free!

A few pieces of "hotel silver" were also "free!"

I couldn't resist this Weller jardiniere, even though I have two of them already. This one was cracked, so it was also "free."

This chair was such a deal! I know I will find a place for it someday. Can't you see it in a bathroom?

I think I should get back into the antique and collectibles business! I let my space go a couple of years ago, and maybe it's time to find a collective again and start reselling my stuff!

I'm linking up to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.