Gien China Platter Collection

It was nearly ten years ago when I happened upon my first Gien platter at a flea market. 

It was Le Boeuf - Le Charolais from Les Aventures du Boucher'.

The graphics were what first caught my eye. Then the combination of fonts and subtle colors paired with the unique subject matter made me want to take it home.

That 12" platter has hung in my kitchen, over my stove ever since. 

Occasionally I would do on-line searches to see if I could find duplicates, as a couple of friends had long admired it, but with no luck.

Then this winter I found three additional platters. Come to find out my platter was one of a 6 piece collection and now I am thrilled to have four of the six.

I have continued to search hoping to complete the set or even just find a duplicate. Well, I thought I knew what I was looking for until I spotted Les Aventures de Mareyeur. Same series, different purveyor. I had to add all six them to the collection. Bringing my collection to ten platters.

In both sets each platter features a favorite of the butcher or the fish merchant on the front and the history of that item in French cuisine on the back. 

I am thinking about hanging the platters rather high on the wall, all around the kitchen.

It may be just too much of a good thing. In the meantime they look wonderful in the china cabinet.

My search continues for the balance of the Boucher' collection and for information on the entire series.

Special flea market coming this weekend... post to follow.

Happy Hunting and Thank You So Much for Reading Me!

Welcome Summer

Today we celebrate 

the first day of summer... the summer solstice. 

As a native Californian, summertime holds a very special place in my heart, in my memories 

and in my life story.

In the 1970's my hometown, Hermosa Beach, was a sleepy and quaint beach community. This was the decade when I experienced the best of beach living. Summers spent on the beach, in the ocean and riding bicycles... everywhere. Sharing long sunny days with friends and family. 

I think of these times often and am grateful to have lived my childhood here.

Summertime. Time to enjoy outdoor living, sunny days and warm nights with starry skies.

Welcome Summer!

Thanks for reading... will be back to treasure hunting this weekend.

Happy Hunting!

Vintage French Copper Cookware

There are those shopping experiences you walk away from feeling like you must have been under a lucky star. That is how I felt after attending a special estate sale on Friday. Since I had a very small window of time, I thought I could get to the shop a little early rather than spend fifteen minutes at a sale. What to do? Well, the treasure hunter in me won the time debate and I am thrilled to report, stopping at the sale was indeed the right choice.

Like a moth to a flame, is how drawn I was to these vintage copper pots. An entire table filled with them. All different shapes and sizes. Some in better condition than others but each with wonderful patina and all in sound construction. Just one piece of copper like this would be quite a find but, to see so much in one place- I was in love! The quality was great and the prices were fair so I decided to take it all. I also found some nice vintage leather bound books to use in displays at the shop.

I placed the bottle of wine in the photo to give some reference as to the size of these copper pieces.

All the pots found their way to the pantry at the shop.

The vintage leather books, marked from the Harvard University Library, are now giving some charm to our new candle display.

We layered our loot into the shop displays right away and I am happy to say that they look as though they were part of our original display plan. That may be a good question to ask ourselves when purchasing new decor items for our homes. Can this item be added to my home seamlessly, complimenting or even enhancing my decor and not visually announcing 

"I am a new addition"? 

Just food for thought. Thanks so much for reading. 

Have a great week... Happy Hunting!

June Jacaranda Season

It is an annual event that I always look forward to. Here in California, turning the calendar page from May to June usually finds the Jacaranda trees in full bloom. This year is no exception.

 For me, the brilliant, blossom filled trees announce a special time... when our sons were small it meant the end of the school year and the unofficial beginning of summer. It is the time of weddings, graduations, days at the beach, dining outdoors, late sunsets and warm evenings.

Each time I look at these beautiful trees I am reminded of those and many other happy events and memories that seem practically framed in the lilac haze of the Jacaranda. 

I feel lucky to drive to and from the shop each day down, none other than, Jacaranda Street. As lovely as driving on Jacaranda Street is, I took the time on Saturday to walk down the alley of purple. It was a true visual feast.

As the blossoms begin to rain down and gather on the street and lawns the color surrounds you. 

It is simply wonderful.

This weekends Loot Shoot coming up next.

Happy June and Happy Hunting!