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.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Happy Memorial Day

As time passes, I have come to appreciate the real significance of our holidays.
This weekend being Memorial Day here in the U.S. it is more than just a three day weekend. It is a time to honor those who gave their lives defending our country or our allies.
I have many family members who served in our military, almost all U.S. Marines, serving in WWII, the Korean War and Afghanistan, respectfully. I am very thankful they returned home however I know too many of their friends did not. To those lost and to their families I say thank you!
Happy Memorial Day! The official start of the summer season!
Now, go and enjoy a wonderful three day weekend in their honor!
Happy Hunting!  ~Jen

Monday, May 20, 2013

Sunday Flea... Saveloy Tin Plus

My crazy schedule of working at the shop, designing a commercial space for a client, several garden projects and wrapping up an immense estate sale we held for a friend, I was very much looking forward to a quiet Sunday at home, for the first time in months. Instead I found an email Saturday evening informing me I had won 2 passes to a large monthly market not too far from me... well that changed everything! Not that this market charges much for general admission, but the "early bird" fees are much higher and multiply by 2, since my husband and I go to these markets together it was too tempting. So that is just what we did... off early, early to the market.
We had a great day and to say it was an eclectic haul is oh so obvious.
Could not pass up this saveloy warmer. I admit I did not know what a saveloy was and either did the vendor offering this piece, as she had acquired it just a day earlier. So out came my iphone and the search was on. It was fun for all of us to learn about saveloys... red, spiced wieners typically offered at British fish and chip shops. Wieners are kept in these heated warmers either on or just behind the counter. Anyone in the know- please correct me if I am wrong! I will first offer this piece to the owner of a quaint British pub a couple of doors down from the shop.
This nice wall planter is perfect this time of year. It's vertical design allows it to work well in a variety of spaces. Imagine planted with flowers and ivy. As you may have noticed in the first photo, I purchased a taxidermied hen and I must say she looks great in this planter as a nest. A combination of hen with ivy would be fun in a mudroom or butler's pantry. I purchased the hen as a reminder of a kitchen I designed many years ago for a well known comedian and actor and his lovely wife. We lined the top of an antique welsh china cabinet with taxidermied hens in basket nests and stems of rose-hips as accents, it looked beautiful and they loved it. I may end up keeping the hen and doing something similar at home.
We picked up this set of antique garden bench frames. The beautiful design is in the faux bois style. We were inspired to pick these up knowing that friends of ours purchased a spectacular set in France and we thought they were such a great find. We were lucky to also find a vendor selling 120 year old reclaimed American oak lumber. We will be picking up a couple of 10 foot boards from them to recreate our bench- we just need to decide on the bench length.
A small variety of silver, most in the repousse style. Along with the repousse candlesticks I picked up a couple of weeks ago, massed together it will make a nice vignette for the shop.
This is one of my favorite finds of the week... an entire box of antique and vintage poultry award ribbons. Dating from 1906 to 1948, they are still in very nice condition.  They will be great additions to antique silver trophy cups I already have and perhaps a few special ribbons I will have framed. Not only do I love the ribbons but I must say how impressed I was by the young man I purchased them from. He is paying his way through college by selling vintage and antique items at the weekend fairs! I will make a point to find him at future fairs to do what I can to help him realize his dream!
Believe it or not I am working on Fall and Holiday decor and displays for the shop. I made note of several vendors with items such as majolica, antique decoys, transferware and linens all in anticipation of tabletop vignettes. It will be here before you know it!
Have a great week. I will be polishing silver to post as a follow-up to this and the last loot shoot.
Happy Hunting!







Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day Lavender

Sending a Mother's Day message out to the "simply wonderful" women in my life.
To my mother, my special girl friends, and the many women friends I am honored to have met along the path of my life, especially those from here on my blog... Happy Mother's Day!
I wish you a splendid day with those you love.   ~Jen

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Early May Flea Market Loot

As promised, here are some photos of the wares I picked up at the flea market this weekend.
Just some bits and pieces and a few special items I have been actively looking for.
Since I have been looking for a true antique silver, domed breakfast server/warmer I was thrilled to find this one. At over 100 years old, this English piece is quite nice, although tarnished on the outside, it is perfect on the interior and has all its trays and locking pin. The sliding lid has a chased detailing and the top of each leg features a peacock. With a little cleaning it will be lovely.
The antique glove form has been on my want list for some time now and this one is in great shape. 
I was also lucky to find a couple of small vintage Italian micro mosaic frames with their original glass.
How great is this vintage needlepoint? A young boy in his tartan kilt with his dog all on a black background... love it! I have a sweet little antique stool I may cover with this?
Miscellaneous antlers, large and small will be used in fall displays. I would like to fill an extra large cloche with them until then. Also, a pair of vintage Dutch silver, repousse candlesticks, they are very tarnished but I will be cleaning them and posting the before and after in a day or so... stay tuned!
Yes, Julia Child's classic Volume 2 of French Cooking -always a favorite.
The beautiful, large, antique iron frame has already found its way to my glass man where he is fitting it for a new mirror (hopefully he will find a nice vintage piece to use).
Lastly, this nice vintage alligator covered, make-up case has a full size mirror inside (as pictured in an earlier photo with the glove form in it). This is a great display piece and or storage box. As you can see there are a few other fun items, all-in-all it was a good market for me. 
Watch for an upcoming post on the silver candle sticks.
Happy Hunting!


Monday, May 6, 2013

May Flea Market Treasures

It looked more like January than May at the flea market this weekend. The good news is most of the shoppers at this particular market are fair-weather shoppers. That meant a smaller crowd and more motivated sellers.
Here are a few shots of some nice offerings.
 One of my favorite vendors makes her annual appearance at this market offering vintage Louis V
 I always make note of display ideas. I love this old wooden box holding silver and framed art.
Authentic English transferware is getting more and more difficult to find these-days but there were a few nice pieces.
Antique and vintage glass bottles are currently a hot accessory item.
Love this bench for a display riser and really wish that I picked up this raisin canister.
Baskets and decoys were in abundance and went on my short list for Fall displays.
Always love books for risers and this very open weave jute is a nice way to add texture and allow the color of your linens to show through.
Working on my loot shoot. I have a lot of unique treasures to share. Stay tuned.
Happy Hunting!




Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Happy May Day

Just a quick photo of the roses at the shop on this beautiful, first day of May!
Happy May Day!