Wearing Many Hats This Spring

This month has proven a real scheduling challenge for all things including posting here. Today I received yet another call, from a dear friend, telling me "my people" were missing my posts.  So here is my quick check in to share the happenings.

The shop has been set with new spring decor and garden wares with shipments continuing to arrive.

Garden pots are full of strawberries,

 lettuces and herbs.

We are wrapping up one garden landscape project and set to begin this one next.

Then there are the estate sales... I am currently in the middle of preparing two homes for estate sales.

This is a collection of antique glass, handled serving dishes from one home.

An antique plate found in our client's sideboard with a wonderful family note attached:

This plate is all that is left of the tea set given to Grandma Hastings by her girl friends in Brattleboro, Vermont in about 1884. This was one of two biscuit plates.

This just adds to the beauty of an otherwise wonderful dish.

These are just a few of the treasures we will be selling at these estate sales... yes, almost everything goes, right down to the vintage light fixtures! 

Although scheduling can be a challenge this spring, it is indeed a fun time.

Hope to check in sooner next time.

Happy Spring and Happy Hunting!

  

The Perfect Flea Market Vehicle

Today, while shopping the flea market, I happened upon the most charming vendor with the most quaint market vehicle I have ever seen.

The Gypsy Wagon, as he calls it, is a modern version of the classic gypsy carts of by-gone days.

Although painted on the outside, it gives the illusion of an old wooden horse-drawn cart.

The interior walls were even decorated and it was filled with all sorts of treasures.

Shoppers are encouraged to enter the side door and walk about inside to view his wares up close.

Although I am not certain that the quaint qualities translate here, it was indeed a fun find.

As for the market itself, I was not as lucky as I would have liked but I did find a few little treasures. Best of all, I ran into some old friends and was able to do a little catching-up.

I enjoyed some really unique displays today. Although a little tough to make out, I wanted this large wooden box with drawer and flip top. Try as I may, the vendor was just too attached to it. I may try again the next time I see her.

Next week, yet another flea market to share.

Happy treasure hunting!

Zig Zag Tire Bouchon Corkscrew

While shopping at an antique fair in Les Andelys, France last fall, my husband and I were browsing the wares of a very nice woman. She spoke very little English and we speak just a bit of French, yet the three of us were having fun trying to communicate as we made our purchases. Ready to move on, my husband noticed an interesting item and upon picking it up, drew the attention of yet another shopper. Suddenly, there was so much French conversation surrounding us, relating to the item in his hand, we were quickly out of the loop. My husband decided he would purchase the vintage Zig Zag corkscrew that he still held, thus disappointing the other shopper. After we paid, exchanged our final pleasantries, and turned to walk away we were met by yet another shopper who wanted to commend us on our find and after asking us how much we paid, she was simply elated for us. The entire interaction was so fun. That morning became our introduction to French Zig Zag corkscrews.

You can just see our Zig Zag on the bench along with some of our other treasures.

Jump ahead a week to a large flea market in Paris where we met yet another charming vendor. This elderly Frenchman sold only vintage corkscrews, mostly French, and had display boxes full of Zig Zag corkscrews. He was a remarkable fellow who shared so much with us. His passion for Zig Zag was contagious to say the least!

These events, paired with the fact that this corkscrew opens a bottle of wine perfectly, have made us true Zig Zag fans.

The Zig-Zag corkscrew or “tire bouchon” was designed and patented shortly after WWI, in 1919, by Jules Bart from Nancy. His creation uses a series of levers to ease the force required to pull the cork out of a bottle of wine. The design is of simple mechanical functionality with a beautiful pull handle with the words ZIG ZAG pressed into both sides.

The more recent Zig Zag models feature cap-lifters on the sides to allow for the additional function of opening bottle caps, while earlier versions are without. All parts are nickel-plated and chromed to make them both pretty and practical. These Zig Zag corkscrews are truly classic example of both form and function.

In days-gone-by, a number of ‘lazy tongs’ corkscrews were produced all around the world, that used a series of levers, a pull and/or a rotating handle. Most of these makers are now gone however, Zig-Zag remains in production today using it’s original 1920s moulds and presses.

May I suggest adding the Zig Zag tire bouchon to your bar cabinet or wine cellar or even gifting one to the wine enthusiast in your life? It is a gift that will keep on giving!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

More treasure hunting this Sunday and Monday. Will share my finds next.

Happy Hunting everyone!

Absinthe Ware and Tradition

The “Green Fairy” as she is known, has quite a reputation among those who bravely enjoy the centuries old spirit known as Absinthe.

My interest in the Green Fairy began with this simple, yet intriguing find at a local thrift. 

There, sitting on the shelf was a stack of sweet little bistro-ware dishes with French franc prices printed on them. I have a soft spot for price cards and signs in francs so of course I brought these little dishes home. It was then that I began my research to see what it was I had found.

This opened a door of information about Absinthe and its history. Apparently, these dishes were how your Absinthe cocktail would have been served in a bistro or café. Depending on the brand and/or volume of alcohol the appropriately marked dish would hold your glass and subtly announced the price of your drink.

 

I have come to learn probably more than I need to know about Absinthe and the deep history it has in Europe and later in the U.S. but I found it all so interesting. 

The fascinating thing about absinthe is that it’s not just a drink, it’s a ritual. There are many components to the proper creation and presentation of an olde school absinthe cocktail and my little dishes are just the beginning.

Ice cold flat water, never tap, was often placed upon the bar in beautiful glass fountains. Your order would arrive with what could be a daunting array of accessories for a novice.

The presentation… A certain style of glass with what is called a “dose line” determines the amount of the straight, bright green spirit to be served. The glass placed on the price dish was also served with a carafe of ice-cold water, an absinthe spoon and a large cube of sugar.

 

With the absinthe in the glass, the pierced absinthe spoon is placed across the opening, a cube of sugar is set upon the spoon and the ice cold water is poured from the carafe through the sugar and into the glass thus creating your cocktail.

This spirit has such a high alcohol content that it was known to make those who consumed it actually hallucinate. This incredibly strong, potentially psychedelic, bright green spirit contains wormwood, anise, and fennel.

The Green Fairy was the mischievous muse of Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allen Poe, Ernest Hemingway, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Paul Verlaine. “She” heavily influenced their art and writings. “Elle vous fait aimer la vie,” wrote Arthur Rimbaud, perhaps her most famous poet-consort—“she makes you love life.”

This ultra-potent alcohol has enjoyed a resurgence recently, after a nearly 100 year ban was lifted in 2007. Although I have not tried it myself, in speaking to those who have, the Green Fairy retains her wild reputation. So, if you are brave, give it a try. I may try it, just as research of course, and let you know how it was! Well, maybe.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

*Some photos thanks to “the virtual absinthe museum”

Winter Market Accessory Trends

January is a month of preparation and renewal for retail. It is also a market month, where manufacturers and their vendors present their latest wares to retailers. To say that the design mart is a barometer for our economy is an understatement. For many years, and even a couple of my past postings here at TTBJ, I have witnessed very safe offerings where companies simply continue to offer their strongest sellers and very little in the way of new or innovative wares.  

I am thrilled to say that there appears to be a change in the air (and at the market!). This market was the first time in over five years, that we saw larger collections with a wider variety of price-points, better quality items, out-of-the-box innovations and even an increase in U.S. & European made lines.

Market is a time for companies to showcase a hot item or a look that is trending. The equestrian look continues to be a big trend. Lines have expanded and include nearly every room of the home.

 Traditional upholstery, pillows and even a saddle!

Hunt style barware.

Spring-time looks of neutral garden decor, including these great urns paired with greens.

Another big garden focus was herbs. 

Platinum had a very strong showing for Christmas... yes sorry, we are already preparing for Christmas.

Tartan plaid is still strong.

Neutral upholstery and light wood tones continue to be a welcomed look creating a decor statement alone or as accents to darker upholstery and/or wood tones.

To top it off, there was a big improvement in decorative lighting. Many lines even included vintage components and designs.

All in all it was a great show. When I come away inspired to create new and different looks for the shop, I know it has been time well spent. Now the hardest part of all... waiting for our orders to arrive.

Next weekend treasure hunting and post to follow.

Happy Hunting!

Flea Markets on Film

There are dozens of television programs about home decor and design offered on U.S. channels on any given day. These shows generally follow trends in the market and currently the shows that highlight the antics of the picker, treasure hunter, flea market shopper and/or tag sale scout are fetching big ratings. I do not have the opportunity to watch most of these shows but week after week and month after month I have been seeing their film crews at our local flea markets.

Last week, I ran into Lara Spencer filming her show, Flea Market Flip at the Hollywood flea market.

Last month it was the crew and contestants from Market Warriors at yet another flea market.

At this market, contestants were being filmed in their flea market space working hard to sell their repurposed treasures.

Since we are in Southern California, filming of some sort, is rarely given a second glance. That is probably why it is easy for production companies to create their shows here with very little interruption.

Whether it is Flea Market Flips, Market Warriors, Flea Market Mania, Cash & Cari or any of the many, many others, these shows are responsible for bringing new customers to our local flea markets. This is great news for vendors, as for me... well, I think it is great for the vendors! Even with this new found popularity, the flea market is still great for treasure hunting. Just keep in mind, what they say is true... the early bird really does get the worm!

Hope you have found some wonderful treasures.

Happy Hunting!

Star of the Hollywood Flea Market

One of the things about treasure hunting which I love is learning about items from the past. Items I have never seen before and whose time have come and gone. We call these pieces "daunting decor" items. We may not know the original function but their design is still greatly appreciated. When I came upon this scene at the Hollywood flea market I was intrigued. 

I learned these two pieces came from the collection of a 94 year old dealer in Michigan. The vendor was generous with both time and information, sharing the design/workings of the front piece, a very nice victorian cast iron water heater and next, the purpose/function of that interesting copper piece standing behind.

Any guesses? Hum... well if you guessed a barber's towel warmer you are correct! From the turn of the last century this piece would have stood proudly in a barber shop. It's purpose was to steam towels and even sterilize instruments. Although from a bygone era, the style and form still have appeal.

The copper has a beautiful warm patina.

The base banding features a beautiful pierced star motif and the makers plate reads Kingory Mfg Co. out of Buffalo, New York. There is a date on the top box of 1901.

The top towel box still holds it's original ceramic liner. 

These artistic utilitarian pieces were an important part of a barbers business from the late 1800's until approximately the 1930's when they were replaced by electric versions. Shortly thereafter many of these copper beauties were donated to the WWII war effort leaving very few examples remaining today.

After walking about the flea market, continuing my treasure hunting, I just could not stop thinking about the barber's towel warmer. You know what that means... it came home with me. Since there is a resurgence of old-time barber shops here is California I may know just the right customer for this amazing piece.

Here are a few of the other treasures from Hollywood. The antique cigar forms in the back are from Holland circa 1920's. The Italian leather pipe holder and English humidor tin are great items for a Father's Day vignette at the shop. The silver egg cups for an Easter display and I am hoping that some of the antique terra cotta seed pots I have at the shop will fit into the silver double handled bowl holders to add to our spring garden decor- could be fun. Also, the cast iron woodpecker toothpick/match holder and the cute little dish from a restaurant in Cannes just because. All in all, it was a wonderfully fun day at the flea in the big city.

Happy Hunting!