My Melange

Mon Petit Jardin

Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to have acres of green land and sprawling flower gardens.  That's my Mom.

Instead I have a challanging situation.  I have a small porch. And It is longer than it is wide.

We have worked hard on it, but it is no way finished.  I like to refer to it as Mon Petit Jardin.

That sounds much prettier than My Plants on the Porch, doesn't it?

I'll have a big reveal, once it is to the point where I am happy with it. 

Chris would argue this will never happen, or at least not until the summer of 2015.

I scored a pair of shabby cream colored shutters for twenty bucks from a local salvage yard that will serve as a privacy screen once Chris adds hinges and rigs them to stand up. 

I would argue this will never happen, or at least not until the summer of 2015.

And of course, we are still sans our café table and chairs.  I can't wait until I can sit out there with a book and drink my morning café au lait. 

 In 2015.

Here is a sneak peak.  Click on the smaller image to see it in full size.

 
        

How are your gardens coming this year?  What are your gardening projects?

Stormville Flea Market

Still in search of a French garden table and chairs and some antique garden ornaments, like urns, iron fencing, shutters and statues, we went to our local Stormville Flea Market last weekend.

Though I did come home with a few treasures, including a wonderful cast stone garden cherub with a broken wing (remember broken is better), we are still in search of our table and chairs.  I am convinced we will sit on the wooden floor, surrounded by plants this summer. 

Here are a few photos taken of our excursion.

There were boxes of these old shoes lasts.  The best part was many had the words Frenchie orItalia stamped by the maker on the sides.  I was all set to take several home when I realized that they were high heeled shoe lasts, which did not allow them to sit flat for display.  They looked funny and crooked.  They were very cool and very inexpensive.

And this antique Victorian photo album covered in velvet.  It had brass finishings and a brass lock on it.  The old pictures were still inside.

What is the coolest thing you have ever found at a flea market?  What's the most interesting piece you ever brought home with you?

More Brimfield Photos

I love this iron bed, it reminds me of Art Nouveau

 

An iron French youth bed would make a great daybed.  If only I had the room...

A different kind of flower bed

Antique phonographs in pristine condition grace the front of the J&J show in Brimfield.

Even the RCA dog showed up!

 

Look at the horn on that one!! 

For more information on The Brimfield Antique show, click here.

A Chandelier Fantasyland

Chris stumbled into this tent and ran to find me in the pouring rain.

He said I had to come.  Now! 

"Chandeliers, all chandeliers" he whispered. A Chandelier Fantasyland.

I dropped everything.  He led me by the hand, we sloshed through the puddles and wove through the tents.

There it was.  A stepped into the tent. He wasn't kidding.  I gasped, loudly. Took a deep breath in. My heart skipped two beats.

Chandeliers, everywhere!  What more could a girlie-girl Francophile want?

And then there was the artist.  Dorinda.  She hails from Atlanta.  She tells me she is not on the Internet.  This is only her third time at the Brimfield show and she loves doing it.

Her creations are unique.  These aren't just antique chandeliers. She takes an old chandelier metal base, rewires it, adds her own new 100% leaded crystals (which reflect more light) maybe some crystal garland and voila.  A one-of-a-kind chandelier. All wired and ready to hang once you get it home.

Her creations are amazing and she gladly makes custom orders.  She brings her tools and supplies with her and creates during shows. 

Since I have no other contact information, you'll have to visit the Brimfield Antique Show to find her.  Or look up Dorinda  in the Atlanta yellow-pages.

Which one would you pick?

Brimfield Show Photos

Finally, we arrive in Brimfield

An old cabinet waits to be unloaded from a trailer, while aqua green coke bottles in a crate sit atop an antique coke machine.

An old electric powered rocking horse was running perfectly, though you can't tell from my photo

This spectacular antique stagecoach gets a fresh coat of paint on site.

Photos from my trip to the Brimfield Flea Market, which ended today.  Additional shows will be held in July and September of this year.  Visit the website for show dates and details. 

More pictures will follow in the upcoming week.

Treasure Hunting-Brimfield

 

I have gone treasure hunting in Brimfield.  Brimfield is the Queen of all flea markets in the Northeast.  It is miles long and lasts for an entire week.  You will rub your eyes (and your feet) the first time you visit.  You won't believe it.

I made the mistake the first time I went of being unprepared.  I didn't bring a big enough vehicle, we only went for the day and of course, I ran out of cash.  Yeah, story of my life.

Needless to say, I corrected these faux-pas.

We are staying overnight. check
I rented an SUV.  check
I have been saving since the last trip.  check

One mistake I never make is paying top dollar.  I love the wheelin' and dealin'.  I never pay the first price quoted.  I guess if they are not willing to bargain with me, than I don't need it that badly.

Here are some links for you to check out the flea market.

Brimfield.com 
BrimfieldShow.com 
BrimfieldExchange.com 

What do you want me to find?  What treasures would you be looking for?  Where are your favorite flea markets?  And what are your bargaining tips for getting a great deal at the flea market?

Antiquing in the Hudson Valley

 

A while back, one of my readers asked me to write about my favorite spots in the Hudson Valley to find antiques.  It has taken me awhile, (bet you thought I forgot, Rose) but I think I have been able to compile a list of  my favorites.  Of course, my absolute favorite markets are in France and Italy.  But I do need to be able to act on my obsession when I can't get there, so I need my local places just to get me through.

I frequent a mix of flea markets, antiques stores and what I would call mish-mash, junk-a-tique barns or second hand shops.  You will find a hodge podge of very different things at each place, but I hardly ever leave empty handed.

Flea Markets

These are generally organized events that occur at regularly scheduled times throughout the season.  Since our winters are bad here, the season usually runs from April to October.  Each market is different in terms of hours and days of the week.  Some even charge admission.  Click on the links provided for more specific information.  Here are my local favorites.

Stormville Flea Market
Elephants Trunk
The Antiques Garage & Annex
Dutchess County Fairgrounds

Antique Stores

There are a few stores that I frequent during the off-season, when I can't go scouring around the markets.  These are ones I find reasonably priced and able to score a good deal.

Vintage Studio
Hyde Park Antique Center
Beekman Arms Antique Barn
Attic Memories
The Annex Antique Center

Barn Sales

I often find barn, yard or garage sales listed on Craig's List or in the local newspapers.  These are always great for a nice weekend drive, hopping from place to place to see what treasure you might uncover.  I have a few spots that are fixtures in the community that carry second hand stuff.  These are not for the faint of heart, or those who are germ-phobes.  You have to be comfortable around dust and dirt and getting on your hands and knees to dig through boxes.  If you learn how to bargain, you can get amazing deals at these places.

Hoffman Barn
Bottle Shop Antiques
The Barn
Stanz

Auctions

We have two reputable auction houses in my area.  Just like E-bay, make sure you come early and check over what you are buying.  Set a price in your mind and DO NOT go above it. It is easy to get sucked in, caught up in the hype and loose control.  If you do, you may win a piece that you love, but you may end up paying through the nose for it, if you are not careful.

George Cole Auctions
Absolute Auctions

Publications

Two well-known, reputable publications for more information are the Northeast Journal and the New England Antiques Journal.

And finally, there are some towns in my area that have an abundance of antique shops.  These cute villages make great day or weekend trips, and have much on offer to do.  Cozy B&B's, great shopping and Zagat rated cafe's and restaurants.  I have provided a link to websites with information on these towns, but if you would like additional information or are thinking about planning a trip to any of these areas, feel free to contact me with questions or advice.

Beacon, NY
Cold Spring, NY
Rhinebeck, NY
New Paltz,  NY
Millbrook, NY
Hudson, NY
Great Barrington, MA

In addition to my local haunts, I have 2 antiquing trips planned for the 2008 season.  In May I am going to the Queen Mother of all antique fairs in Brimfield, Massachusetts (que choirs of angels).  Sometime before fall I will be going to Chicago to visit my lil' sis and will be attending one or two shows out there.  Stay tuned, I will of course give you full reports!!

And speaking of flea markets, the pictures in this post are of new items here in my flea market.  Contact me if you are interested in purchasing or want additional information.

Happy Antiquin' Y'all !!   

Our Newest Addition

For the last seven years, I have been looking for the perfect piece to provide stylish storage in my kitchen.  Problem is, the space.  It is a small space.  The piece couldn't be too long, or too wide.  It would also need to be relatively short, because it will be placed in front of 2 big windows...and there is no way I would completely block the natural light.  So, while I would have loved a full fledged hutch, it would not work. *sigh*  And I am fussy.  I know what I like and I can't see spending the money on something I will grow unhappy with in a few short weeks.  I'd rather wait and find it.  Now you can see why this has been so difficult. 

But magic happened last weekend...

We were wandering up and down the aisles of Hoffman's Barn, not looking for anything in particular.  Placed in the corner, on top of another dresser...there it was.  A dresser.  A small one. With a wonderful, shabby, chippy, uneven, worn looking cream finish.

With some even lovelier detailing.  Turned legs.  A scalloped design on the bottom front facade.  Old painted hardware.  Carved wooden accents on the sides and front of a drawer.

Lots of storage for glasses, silver, candles, table linens, napkins, over-sized platters, and whatever else we want to hide from view.  And enough room underneath to stack some cooking magazines. The top can serve as extra space for drinks and appetizers when we decide to entertain.  I was in heaven.   

There it sits, filling in the empty space in my kitchen.  It is a perfect fit, exactly what I wanted.  It is no longer a dresser, but a sideboard.  We may even buy a piece of marble for the top of it, to add a cutting surface.

This just proves two of  my rules when looking for antiques or flea market treasures.

1.  Always think outside the box. Just because a piece was originally used for one thing, doesn't mean you can't transform into something else. Use your imagination.  Be creative.  Make it work.

2.  Don't settle.  Be patient.  If you are like me, and you know what you want and love....only spend the money on what you love.  It may take time, but you will find it.  Have faith...it will come.  And when it does, it feels soooo good.  Like the perfect mate, you will know when it is the one. 

Do you have a story about a piece?  Something that took you forever to find, but when you finally found it, angels sang?  Or maybe a treasure that you turned into something other than its original purpose?  I would love it if you shared....

 

Mantiques

This past weekend, I planned to go antiquing.  Sometimes Chris tags along...other times he prefers to let me loose on my own.  I often make lists of specific things that I am looking for, most of which is decidedly feminine.   I rarely stick the list, but it is a reminder of the things I do need and/or specific measurements for furniture.  This was one of the times Chris was tagging along. 

I called out to Chris in the other room to chat him up about what he might be shopping for....

"Honey?", I called to get his attention.

"Yeah?", he replied.

"What is on your list?", I inquired, sounding interested.

"List, what list?", he questioned.

"You know, your treasure list.  What kind of trinkets will you be keeping your eyes open for today?  Anything in particular you will be searching for?", I explained.

" You mean frilly, girlie, lacy stuff like you buy?  Hmm, I'd just love some Limoges plates with roses all over them, frou-frou Frenchie lace or I would adore some crystal perfume bottles", he teased in his high falsetto feminine voice. 

"Perfect, I'll put them on the list for you!", I managed to answer back.

"No thanks.  I'll be looking for money clips, cuff links, cigarette cases, old lighters...and tools.   You know, manly stuff ", he said in his deep macho voice. 

"Ohhhhh, so you're going shopping for Man-tiques!", I cleverly replied.

We both burst out laughing knowing that I had just coined a new phrase in our home.  From now on, when I go antique hunting, I will ask him if he wants to go Mantiquing.   I think he much prefers the sound of that.

Photo:  Masculine and feminine treasures, co-habitating peacefully.