My passion, after my family of course, is Treasure Hunting. The simple beauty of things from by-gone eras have always spoken to me. Whether these treasures are found at a flea market, fine antique store, estate sale, thrift shop, or in the family attic, surprises abound.
As an interior designer, I believe it is vital to balance your decor by including found and family treasures. Surrounding yourself with things you love should always be the goal, from there you will find your true style.
As I shop, I may have a client in mind or I may want to resell at our french flea market or in my shop. I am lucky to have several outlets for my treasures including my own home! I plan to share my searching, hunting, travels, and treasures with you and encourage you to enjoy adding your treasures to your home.

Monday, December 31, 2012

A New Year Antique Cards & Quotes

“For last year's words belong to last year's language 
And next year's words await another voice.” 
― T.S. Eliot
"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”
– G.K. Chesterton (English Writer)
"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." ~Charles Lamb
"Be Always at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better Man.” 
– Benjamin Franklin 1755
“A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."
~Hal Borland
"The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn."
~Hartley Coleridge
“Hope Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, 
Whispering 'it will be happier'...” 
― Alfred Tennyson
I am very thankful for a year of wonderful blog experiences.
Thank you for visiting and leaving comments from time to time.
I look forward to a new year of experiences and the opportunity to share treasures and treasure hunting with you. 
Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS 2012

Home on Christmas day. 
Generations together.
Full stockings for one and all.
The joy of gift giving.
Phone calls from those near and far.
The door bell finds friends & neighbors bearing gifts & well wishes. 
The glory of a festive home.
Holiday music playing and seasonal scents fill the air.
I hope your Christmas was joyful.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Holiday Flea Market & Copper Lavabo

It was our last flea market treasure hunt of the year. The weather was cold and misty but the heavy rain stayed away just long enough for us to shop. The weather and the wares combined to make a truly festive atmosphere.
There was an abundance of vintage Christmas decor displayed in fun, unique ways. 
I love the vintage lights bunched like flowers in the silver champagne bucket. I may have to try that!
The guys of Atelier de Campagne did a beautiful job creating their splendid holiday display.
The threatening weather and the proximity to Christmas meant a lighter crowd than usual which in turn meant excellent shopping for us.
We spotted this gorgeous antique French copper lavabo and just had to have it for the shop.
It has now been hung by the chimney with care and filled with seasonal greens, pomegranates, pine cones and birch branches... ready for Christmas!
I hope you are taking the time to enjoy the season and that you will be surrounded by those you love and those who love you this holiday.
Merry Christmas and Happy Treasure Hunting!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas Decorating... it's all in the simple details

The past several weeks have been quite a whirlwind. Completely decorating Le Potager from top to bottom for our holiday events, decorating for clients on days off or evenings and expanded shop hours has left me with just a tiny window for recharging. 
Settling into the retail holiday groove, I am thrilled to be back to blogging world.
I wanted to share some photos of the shop focusing on the little things... the details. We all have heard and even remarked "it's all in the details", whether it relates to our wardrobe, a work project, preparing a meal or decorating our homes, the details always make a difference.
Details have the reputation of being time consuming and rather costly, I must strongly disagree.
This approach to home and or holiday decor creates a big impact with minimal effort and cost.
Use wreaths on horizontal surfaces... easy and beautiful from all sides. Here a holly wreath adds a holiday spin to a year round rooster statue.
Fill assorted vessels with pine boughs, apples, pomegranates and pine cones. Any seasonal items including glass ornaments look great enmasse. I love the simple gathered look. 
Using bits and pieces can add a seasonal touch in almost any area. Here a petite bunch of mixed pine and berries top a small wall clock. A small, simple detail.
Topping cabinets with stems and branches gathered in the garden, amended with faux botanicals 
can last all season. A simple way to add rich colors and textures.

Any small area that needs a little extra something is the perfect place to make a nest of cones and berries or rose hips. Just about anything you can gather out of doors this time of year can be used to celebrate the season in our homes.
I hope you are enjoying your Christmas decorating and can add a few simple details with little cost or effort creating wonderful impact.
Flea market this weekend, weather permitting, fingers crossed.
Happy decorating and happy treasure hunting.


Friday, November 16, 2012

Festive Hunt Table and Photo Shoot

We were honored to be asked, by the Orange County Register newspaper, to be a contributing designer of a festive Thanksgiving holiday table for an upcoming story. Le Potager's European country hunt table will be featured along with Jonathan Adler's contemporary style table and WAM Design's Parisian style table. This will be part of a special holiday insert focused on the joys of holiday entertaining.
I wanted to share some photos of our finished vignette as well as the photo shoot itself.
We designed the table more for photos than to actually dine on but our approach takes the front half of the table and sets it as a dining table and the back half of the table is set as a sideboard or buffet table would be.
Set with layers of dining ware and decor, the table is a charming combination of rich and rustic.
We even had a fire burning in the shop fireplace adding to the ambiance.
Beautiful vintage crystal stemware glasses added some sparkle standing upon pheasant placemats.
Vintage stag stirrup cups graced each place setting.
Antique silver and horn handled serving pieces helped to add history to this tables story.
One of our favorite pieces, this very large antique Charter Oak silver loving cup, was filled with spectacular fall botanicals. It is a definite statement piece, regal in design and scale yet rustic with its unpolished silver finish.
It's all in the details.
Although it is a small area to be photographed, it took the expertise of many to get it just right.
We brought our design concept to life and turned it over to the professional. Photos were taken from every angle including the table in its entirety as well as the smallest details. I am looking forward to seeing the photographers interpretation of our work.
The feature is set to be published this Saturday just in time for Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas season.
Create a table for your holiday feast using treasures from your home and garden. Make it a fun process, not a stressful one. There is never a wrong way to set a table and always remember that it is the people sitting at the table that are far more important than the meal or the decor.
Next week I will be posting some photos of our Christmas table vignettes as well.
Happy Decorating and Happy Hunting!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Holiday Displays for our Open House

It has been an action packed week. We prepared the shop for our annual Holiday Open House and completed our tasks just in time for Saturday's event. The weather was absolutely perfect, breezy and only in the 60's (for a change) which meant a fire in the shop fireplace and spicy warm wassail.
I took shots throughout the week of several rooms at Le Potager using my camera and some with my phone, hence the less than perfect photo quality but I think you will enjoy them either way.
It has become tradition that we create a room that is frosty and full of holiday sparkle.
Our woodland room features a more natural ,warm, forest feel.
One of our home decor trees holds new French style wall clocks with vintage French clock faces.
This tree and cabinet hold Parisian style holiday decor.
We layered new and vintage items to create a charming look.
No surface is overlooked. Even the inside of this large armoire becomes a holiday vignette.
A small bedroom mantle in white.
Even the kitchen pantry has a tree this season.
Although the majority of the shop is decorated for Christmas we pride ourselves on remaining 
"true to the season" by having fall and thanksgiving decor displayed as well. 
This hunt inspired autumn table was just photographed for a holiday insert in our major newspaper.
I will be posting more on that photo shoot and details on the table in my next post.
Happy holiday decorating and happy treasure hunting!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Treasure Hunting and My Wish List

I was off and running this morning. The schedule called for part work and part pleasure. First stop, a customers home. Following up on a remodel and consulting on future furniture purchases. This home is simply lovely, as is our customer, and it was an added bonus to see so many of her purchases from our store beautifully displayed in her home.
Next stop... shopping. It was a little too late for the flea markets and since our clients home was in an area that I am rarely in, the local antique shops seemed like a great idea.
First stop, first purchase. This beautiful antique enameled cast iron headboard. This will look great behind an antique french sofa that we have at the shop.
I am still thinking about this antique mirror. At over 8 feet long, it calls for a special spot. I have added it to my wish list.
I searched through piles of vintage linens but did not have any luck finding any holiday pieces.
Loved the demijohn with the green bottle.
Spotted this vintage French foie gras print. Unfortunately it is too big for my kitchen or breakfast room at home and also too big for the pantry at the shop but it is a really great piece. Another wish list item, maybe I should go back for it after all.
This was a little bonus buy. Perfect for the holidays, the classic red and green vintage wool blanket would make a festive table topper, Christmas tree skirt or maybe even several table runners? Any ideas?
Had a great day on the road but duty calls. This week holds a photo shoot at the shop and our holiday open house. Much to do and I am very excited to get started! 
Will keep you posted.
Happy Hunting!