Thursday, February 25, 2010

Decorating with Flea Market Finds

As we continue to ready the reading room, our friend Jennifer is sharing a guest post here on our blog today. She is a super talented lady and we're so excited to have her!
Her topic- Decorating with Flea Market Finds.
(My favorite!)

Take it away Jennifer!

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Ever find yourself wondering what to do with those unique flea market finds you fall in love with, and trek all the way home with, only to be greeted by the husband at the door who is curiously scratching his head over your so-called “treasure”? Well, if it’s rusty and crusty, industrial and unique, chippy and aged with a great patina, that instantly spells out t-r-e-a-s-u-r-e like no other, in my book!

One of my favorite flea markets is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. On my most recent visit there, we showed up an hour before the sun decided to make its debut. (Note to self: Bring flashlights next time. With batteries that work.) It can be all too easy to get distracted from what you’re there for. So during this visit in particular, my goal was to find a unique side table to sit next to the sofa in my living room.

These fabulous old grain sack pillows are a good example of a major distraction. Their textures were so alluring. I think I squeezed nearly every one!



I found this booth set-up especially inviting too. All that's missing is a bottle of vino, a loaf of fresh bread, a couple of friends and some good conversation...



A trip to the Rose Bowl is never complete without bumping into a character or two. While on the hunt for my side table, my friend Lu took a moment to pose with a rather patriotic cyclist. (Note her stash-filled cart behind the Velocipede wheel. That was just one of three trips to the car and back)...



These old factory light bulbs caught my eye in a big way too. Too bad they weren’t on my want list.



I was still determined to find a unique side table, so we moved on.

Then just when I was about to give up all hope, I stumbled across this gem. The one I’d been waiting for. Yes, I realize it’s an old, industrial medical table- but it had my name all over it, and I couldn’t hand over my twenty-five bucks fast enough!



And here it is! My new side table, in it’s new home. Re-purposed and miles outside of the box...



With the exception of the lamp and rug, everything you see here was either a flea market or antique store find. The fabulous Chateau Bradbury sign came out of an old restaurant in Ventura. The large, white armoire came out of an old nunnery.



Don’t let that little lamp fool you- it really packs a punch, and fills this entire corner with light at night...



I stuck to a grouping of strictly cream and white colored items when creating this vignette. The old ironstone pitcher, vintage clock, piano player paper on a roll, antique French documents and tall bundle of vintage yarn all came from various flea markets and antique stores.



But this side of my sofa looked really naked, so I created some interest by placing an old , black leather suitcase (antique store find) underneath an old, black wooden document box (flea market find)...



To break up the black, I placed an old souvenir book from Paris on top of the suitcases, along with a pair of bleached white antlers. (Both items were flea market finds, and in case you were wondering, the antlers were naturally shed. No animals were harmed in the creation of this vignette!)...



I hope I’ve inspired you and offered some insight on thinking outside of the box, looking at objects from a different perspective, and re-purposing things in unexpected ways.

Thank you for inviting me to guest post on your blog Layla!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Grey
TheOldPaintedCottage.blogspot.com
TheOldPaintedCottage.com

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Thank YOU Jennifer!
I can't believe I lived in Los Angeles for eight years and never once made it to the Rose Bowl Flea Market! Next time I'm in L.A- I definitely look forward to going there with you.

:-)

Layla

48 comments:

DustyLu said...

Omy gosh I completely forgot I took that picture! He was so funny, I wanted to ride the bike but he wouldn't let me ~lulu

Marianne said...

What a lovely post! And what a great find. But it took the after picture for me to realise that. I was not so impressed with the before picture. Just goes to show I still have so much to learn.

Dreamy Whites said...

Layla,
I love this post. I see Lulu is first to comment, just love her, and that's you Lulu in the picture, I love it.
I lived an hour north of Ventura for 7 years, and never made it to the Pasadena flea market. I sure wish I had. This is a great post, and I just recently discovered her great blog. Love how Jennifer shows us how to use these great flea market finds in our home. I think that table pictured made it to the Maison Reve shop in Mill Valley. I love that table.
Thanks for sharing,
Maria

Little Miss Martha said...

The table looks amazing! I really liked the table as well and then you made it look completely different than I thought you were going too!

But I have another question...Where do you find the flea markets!?!? I want to do more flea market shopping, but I can't seem to find any flea markets like the ones shown in the pictures! How do you locate them and do you always know they'll be worthwhile?!?! Thanks in advance!

Terry said...

What great finds! I wished I lived close to the CA but I can only dream of everything I would have to have.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Gorgeous, Jennifer!!! What an eye you have!!

Anonymous said...

I collect old medical stuff and this table is totally to die for. (So to speak.) I'm ... dying ... of jealousy!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Jennifer,
What can I say. I'm speechless!
The medical tray and the vingette is stunning. I love the feel of the room.

Beautiful.

hugs
Sissie

My Cottage Charm said...

I adore flea markets and tag sales...can't wait for spring so I can go again. That's the bad part about living in a place where you have a winter season.....no good sales! But we do get beautiful snow. :) (got it AGAIN last night!)
Thanks for sharing your lovely space with us. :)

Erika Mills said...

I looked at your before picture and thought "what?!" you bought THAT?? (kinda like hubby - sorry!)But I love what you did with it...never would have donned on me...awesome!

Anonymous said...

Don't you love when you know exactly what it is you want -- you have it in your mind's eye and recognize it instantly even when others look at you like deer in headlights!

Thank you for sharing your hunt.

Deborah

Tricia said...

I love Jennifer's blog and home and that table is perfect!!

Stacy said...

wow, i wish we had flea markets like THAT around here! great post!!

Unknown said...

I lived in LA for a few years, too, and naver made it to the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Oh, I am kicking myself. *ouch*

Ms. Grey has wonderful taste. Oh, I would kill for that sign from the restaurant in Venice. Love it and it's a great piece of SoCal.

Great post!

Amber said...

Hmm...maybe this summer I'll have to jump on a North bound train for a day! That looks like fun!

christy said...

Love the Rosebowl flea market! I only went once & it was about 8 years ago, dying to get back ever since.

Allison said...

Love this guest post. Layla, you owe me $200. ;) I could just squeeze you to death - I've been looking for a ici repose for years. Finally found one thanks to you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. And DH thinks I waste too much time on the internet! ;)

Allison
AtticMag.com

Amber Filkins said...

So beautiful! I absolutely ♥ it all!!

Allison said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this guest post. Layla, you owe me $200! I have been trying to snag a ici repose for years - finally found one thanks to you. I could just "hug you and squeeze you and call you George" (another cartoon ;) ).

sincerely,
Allison
AtticMag.com

Victoria Hayden said...

Loved all of it! I love flea market finds!! Jennifer is wonderful and her amazing home.

Hugs,
Victoria

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love that you think out of the box. Your new table is wonderful and I love the mix of things you have displayed. Way too cute. Hugs, Marty

Screaming Meme said...

Great style...Jennifer...:) I love it!

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Layla, thanks again for letting me guest post on your blog today. I had so much fun!

By the way, please tell me I'm not the only one Googling "ici repose" right now.

oxox
Jennifer

Beverly said...

What a great little table. I love flea markets. And believe it or not, I live in Southern CA and have never been to the Pasadena Flea Market. I think I have dragged hubs so many places, that he just cannot take one more. But after looking at those pics, I think I am going to have to go:)

Bohemian chic said...

I live about an hour away from Pasadena and have never been either. With all that eye candy, I think this would be a great girl trip. I'll bring the flashlight.

~Grace Happens~ said...

Fun! I'll be going to the Rose Bowl Flea in a few weeks to meet Eddie and Jaithan. I can't wait!!!!

pammiejo said...

Came to visit from Jennifer's blog and loved her "visit" to your blog. She's got the neatest ideas! PAM

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Stunning.....

Lindsey said...

When you put it all together it looks amazing! I would have never picked that table out and for cheap! Thanks for sharing!

This Little Nest said...

Love what you did with the medical table! Inspires me to do a little thrifting this weekend!

Unknown said...

What a great find. I remember similar tables in an old hospital in downtown Toronto that I trained in. Thanks for sharing your unique vignette. The monochromatic scheme is a great tip.

bj said...

Fabulous post!!

undomestic mama said...

Great post! It looks like they had a ton of fun that day...if only I had a friend who would go through all that with me.

Shannan Martin said...

That table is De-Vine. The whole vignette is perfect!

Tara Sullivan said...

Such an eye...love both these blogs...so great when exceptional blogs come together...instant gratification for us readers!

My Cottage Charm said...

Hey Layla,
You gotta come see what I got in the mail today! I'm so excited!!
:)

Tina said...

I have just found your gorgeous blog and also Jennifer's gorgeous blog via the lovely Lu at DustyLu and am so gald I did. I love how Jennifer walked us through the market and also showed us how she made such a gorgeous display with her new treasure! Thanks so much for sharing Jennifer! ~ Tina x

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Great fun! Great Find! Jennifer I love your home and all your decor.I enjoy seeing what you come up with next.Looks like a treasure haven.~Kim

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Loved this post! Jennifer has great ideas. Love the medical table turned side table. Great pics of the Rose Bowl. Makes me want to go there!

cheryls fascinatingfinds said...

Jennifer your amazing but we all knew that. I like you comment about showing up in the dark, I try not to shop with a flashlight, have made many bad purchases doing that, all of a sudden the sun comes up, you go back to pick up your finds and your like...Omg What was I thinking...LOL. Love your new Viniette.

Rosemary said...

Love it all Jen!!
Glad I have seen it in person. It really works, and you have such a knack for vignettes!!
Rosemary

Grandma G said...

Jennifer!!
You always inspire me! I would never have given that table a second look....but it is perfect!!
I love Rose Bowl too and Ventura....maybe I will run into you sometime!

Georgia
Grandma G's
grandmagscottage.net
grandmags.blogspot.com

yippeevintage said...

That table has such a lovely lines... it looks beautiful in it's new home! Thanks for sharing!

Sweetie Pie Suite said...

love this! and love how another item can always somehow be incorporated into an existing setting - my husband is exactly the same - "where are you going to put that?" when will they learn?? {gotta love them though!}

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Nice! how I wished I lived close to a good flea market! Great style.

Sherry Paulson said...

Love the new addition to your living room...it suits it perfect! Thanks for the pics of the trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market; always wanted to make it up there but now its moving to the top of my list.

Sherry~

Kendra said...

I love that look! Where did you get the cotton?

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

I'm so glad I found your blog!!! It's great, btw. I just moved to LA and will be here until June. I'm SO THRILLED to find out about this flea market. I can't wait until the 2nd Sunday in April now. I'm so there!!