French Flea Markets & Brocantes

We have been so very lucky to have Sharon Santoni show us around her beautiful region of France.

She has taken us to flea markets in simply beautiful French villages.

To the charming brocante shops of dealers that Sharon knows who welcomed us with open arms.

We even popped into a few retail shops with very unique items and even more unique displays that I was sure to study carefully. (Unique displays not pictured here- just good stuff!)

All of the shopping stops had great varieties of wares and with some patients, we were able to find

some really lovely things.

My loot from the Normandy region is packed and ready to ship and now the shopping begins in Paris.

Wish me happy hunting... tomorrow a Paris post.

French Homes Along the Way

It has been a whirlwind of very productive shopping throughout the Normandy countryside. Here is a quick view of a few of the beautiful homes, both public and private, that we have been fortunate enough to visit along the way to our many shopping destinations. 

 Of course, Giverny, Claude Monet's Home & Gardens. The weather was perfect and gardens were full and colorful.

 An absolutely gorgeous Normandy Chateau with beautiful old growth trees. 

A wonderful country home, now restaurant, where we enjoyed an incredible meal.

The stately and stunning Chateau d'Emallville. Our home away from home while in Normandy.

And of course, last but not least, the absolutely lovely French Country Home of our most gracious host, Sharon Santoni. We were treated to an evening of great food, wine, conversation and much laughter with Sharon and her family. Our deepest thanks to them and especially to Sharon for the countless hours of preparation that went into making certain this weekend was perfect. 

To Sharon... merci beaucoup and cheers!!!

Watch for the next post showing the charming villages and shops that we have been shopping in.

Happy hunting!

Normandy Loot Shoot

I have been brocante shopping with our team and our hostess extraordinaire, Sharon Santoni for  two days in the Normandy region. 

Have been able to purchase some very nice items in small villages and towns through this beautiful area. Here are just a couple shots of the weekend's loot. 

The shopping continues at the break of dawn tomorrow. 

More photos of purchases and in addition I will post some shots of the gorgeous villages and the chateau where we are lucky enough to be staying.  

Until then, wish me happy hunting!!!

A Quick Note from France

Bon jour! Today is the first day I have found a WiFi connection to post. 

This will be a short and sweet note. 

Having a really wonderful time. Arrived in Paris and spent the day. Here are a few quick shots of the city.

Took the train to the Normandy region. Have been brocante shopping for the last two days and have found some absolutely lovely items. 

Will post a fast loot shoot tomorrow. Off to an antique faire in the morning in a quaint village nearby... wish me happy hunting!

Ready, Set, Go to France!

We had a light Chinese dinner last night and what could be more fitting than this...

The day is finally here. Off we go on a whirlwind buying trip to France. My husband and I arrive in Paris, stay overnight then catch a northbound train bright and early. We are joining none other than Sharon Santoni, from My French Country Home, for a brocante marathon. In addition to treasure hunting we will be taking in as much of the Normandy region as we can. 

We will return to Paris and continue our quest to find unique vintage and antique wares to bring home.

Of course, while in Paris we have many destinations planned however, we have no schedule, we will be enjoying the early fall in Paris. 

Be assured, I have a list as long as my arm of places to shop and eat and shop and eat that we will never fully conquer, but we will try!

More posts along the way... WiFi permitting. Wish me safe travels and happy hunting!!!

Mobile blog post test

I will be blogging and facebooking while away on my buying trip. I have not yet posted using my iPhone so I thought I would give it a test run before I go.
I stopped this morning at an estate sale that I saw on my way into the shop. Since I was short on time, I gave myself 10 minutes to shop. I was rewarded with this beautiful antique mirror and a nice pair of vintage silver candlesticks. Not bad for 10 minutes!
Happy hunting!
P.S. I cannot seem to place the photos
where I want... will figure it out.

Tortoise Shell Bamboo Find

I just couldn't resist making a quick stop, on my way home tonight, at a local resale boutique. Not really in the market for anything as I am saving my pennies for my big buying trip next week, so my pace was a little quicker and my scanning a bit more selective. I was about to leave empty handed when I decided to take a look in the back room. The golf clubs, garden tools and old skis all pointed toward a neat little stack of tables leaning against a pile of old suitcases. 

The closer I got the better they looked. The more I opened and closed them the more I liked them... SOLD!

These 3 vintage folding side tables would be perfect for a 3 season porch or conservatory.

 Made of classic tortoise shell bamboo they are beautiful in both form and function.

Tortoise shell bamboo has been used for centuries by Japanese, Chinese, English and American furniture makers. It was a staple material in both the Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles.

This bamboo has a very unique growing pattern. In Japan, it is refered to as 'Kikko' means "tortoise shell". The trunk growth alternates on either side creating a pattern much like that of a tortoise shell. 

However, this characteristic is only present in the first few feet at the trunk or base of the plant making the bamboo itself a rather unique material.

I am very happy to have found today's treasure. When I return from my sojourn I will have glass cut for each of these and display them in the garden room at Le Potager. I think they will be quite smart looking. 

Thank you for visiting. I will post more about my buying trip this weekend.

In the mean time... happy hunting!

Farewell to a Family Treasure

How does one thank a dog for 16 years of unconditional love?

How do you thank her for teaching your children how to be loving and kind?

How do you say thank you for being such a big part of the family?

For putting up with the silly things we asked her to do?

Can you place a value on seeing her sleeping with the kids?

How about for playing hockey for hours with the boys and being the best defensemen of all?

Or how she greeted each of us when we came home, everyday, for sixteen years?

There are just not enough words to express my thanks.

I am so sad that she is gone.

My heart hurts to think she will not be here to greet me tomorrow or the next day.

However, I am so grateful that she was here for as long as she was. 

Farewell my special girl, we will miss you so.

Our Molly... aka "miss molly" "molly tamale"

Mystery Treasure... Table and Chair?

I seem to be in a furniture mode these days. I have been finding some rather nice furniture pieces at local estate sales and flea markets. Most of them I have left behind as the selling climate is weak this time of year. So, when I scanned across the warehouse at a local charity thrift, I nearly passed this special mystery item by.

It was the classic lines that originally caught my attention, as I have a soft spot for mission or arts & crafts style furniture and accessories. 

However, it was it's function that captured my imagination.

It appears to be a simple side table.

The table top is hinged in the back like the lid of a truck thus creating the back of the chair or the top of the table. 

When the lid opens it exposes the little pillow chair pad.

I have been unable to identify the original function of this piece but I find it interesting and unique.

But whatever it's purpose, it is a very nice, well crafted, solid piece of vintage furniture. 

Any ideas what it could be? I would love to hear your ideas.

Also, starting the count-down to my summer buying trip... 14 days 'til departure! 

More on that very soon.

Happy hunting! 

Décor Trends at Market

I am a glass is half full kind of girl, always have been and hope I always am. However, when I was at market wrapping up our holiday buying, I took some time to really look at what vendors are offering us in the year-round home accents and furnishings world.

Frankly, I was disappointed this market. I am well aware of the influence a challenging economy has on what is available to us but, it was very apparent to me that most manufacturers have taken a bandaid approach to their catalogues. We are being fed pretty little things but very little in the way substance, quality or originality. I have come to believe that when we look back upon this time in history there will be no contributions to home décor and design. I think that is a shame.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many strong wonderful lines out there but even they are cautious to venture beyond what they have been doing for the last several years. I am ever so thankful for the continued popularity of global vintage and antiques in interior design. I think without that influence we would be in a bad spot.

What did I see trending? An interesting twist of vibrant décor items such as carpet and lamps paired with monochromatic accessories. Painted furniture, unique hardware and antique reproductions

 Bright colored carpets.

Colorful printed lamp shades.

Painted furniture.

Lots...

And lots...

of painted furniture.

Accessories did not appear to be out of the ordinary either, however they too have added more vibrant colors to their lines. Yes, many of the items have been the same for the last several seasons but the happy color schemes did breath some new life into them.

The bottom line, for me as a retailer is, I have my work cut out for me. We will continue to create our own look and set our own trends by combining small selections of many, many lines.

I think that is what is so inspiring to our customers, creating vignettes with antiques and very well chosen new items just like we all do at home. There is nothing less inspiring than walking into a shop and seeing an overabundance of the same thing. Generally not very appealing in the shop or in your home. We work diligently to avoid that at all costs.

I apologize for the photo quality on this post. I was using my phone rather stealthly as some showrooms do not like photos being taken. They are always worried that their lines may be copied. No worries with me.

More treasure hunting this week... stay tuned.

Happy Hunting.