Last week, I went to Junk Bonanza with my friend, and partner in decorating adventures, Jen. Junk Bonanza is a local twice-yearly flea market style event. I had never been before. Jen was my guide, since she had gone a few times.
Generally, I would say my style is not flea market. But, I love to find great pieces with character to spice up my decor, specifically small items. At Junk Bonanza, I was on a mission to spot styling staples you can find at the Flea Market. The below list are classic objects perfect for decorating in any style.
The next time you go to the flea market, be on the look out for these great styling staples:
1. Wooden Bowls – We saw lots of these. They ranged in price from $10 to well over $100 for larger bowls. The small ones are great for corralling smaller items on a nightstand (think: jewelry you take off at night) or on the coffee table (think: remotes). The larger shallow bowls can almost act as a tray on an ottoman or console table. All sizes are great for a rustic centerpiece. This time of year, fill one up with mini pumpkins or gourds!
2. Cloches – New cloches or bell jars cost just as much or more than ones you can find at the flea market. Elevate the status of anything you have on display by putting a cloche over top.
I scored this amazing seeded glass cloche at Junk Bonanza for $29. It is 14 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter! I will be back later in this series to share ideas for styling with a cloche, specifically what to display under it.
3. Silver Trays – Large or small, simple or ornate…the flea market is full of silver trays. Polish them up for a great way to add a little shine to any arrangement. Or use them with their natural patina, to give depth and age. I love this gorgeous centerpiece with a simple cluster of blooms on a large silver tray.
At Junk Bonanza, I picked up this adorable scalloped tray for $12. The seller showed me how awesome it looks with a candle on top (she makes repurposed candles in wine and liquor bottles). Seeing the tray with a wine bottle candle on top made me think this little tray would make a gorgeous wine bottle coaster.
4. Jars, Jugs, and Bottles – You name it, you can find it at the flea market…glass vessels of all shapes and sizes. Look for mason jars (we saw the gorgeous vintage blue ball jars everywhere), apothecary jars, and milk bottles and jugs. They look great on their own, or they can be used as an interesting vase.
This blue Parisian apothecary jar was the one that got away for me. I loved it, but not the $65 price tag. The seller explained the blue is the rarest. It was stunning.
I also loved bottles with intact, vintage labels. These would look really cool in a Halloween vignette.
5. Marquee Letters – This fun industrial decor addition is one trend that is here to stay. As a statement piece, a cool marquee letter can work with any style. One of my favorite Minneapolis shops, Hunt & Gather, was at Junk Bonanza and they brought their amazing marquee letter collection with them. Sadly, I never see an H. Find your initial or spell out a fun word with the letters. Or look for your lucky number!
6. Old Books – Look for old hardcover books. If you can’t find covers you like, you can always recover the books with paper or fabric, and still have the great discolored, aged book pages. Books are a must for styling, either to fill a shelf or to stack under and item to give it extra height.
Are you a flea market regular? Help this newbie out…what are the best things to look for at the flea market?
Yesterday I went to a popular flea market, here in Texas, called First Monday Canton. They say if you can’t find it at Canton, they don’t make it! It is so fun looking at all the Vintage goodness and the vendors are so helpful and knowledgeable too. One particular vendor that I spoke with told me that te pretty blue mason jars predate to 1940, with the exception of a few special additions i.e. 1776-1976 celebration jars. He also shared that the numbers on the bottom of the jars determined their lot. The size of the jars varied and there as actually a 2 1/2 qt jar that is more rare. He showed me how to place the jars next to one another to determine the size and to look for the more rare sized ones. I’m sure there is much more to learn about these beautiful blue mason jars of our past but I feel I have a sense and better appreciation of their history.
I absolutely love what people can do with their findings from flea markets– but when I go, all I see is dust and broken down objects! I also need to learn the art of “flea marketing”.
Keep up the blogging!
I went to a fleamarket recently and found a wonderful basket that went perfectly under our coffee table:
http://inside9b.blogspot.de/2013/10/flohmarktfund.html
Before I went, I thought about the things that I wanted to look for: picture frames, mirrors, trays, baskets and alarm clocks (I love the old ones). I found this basket and it made my day. I am not going to fleamarkets often but having the list in mind – and my new knowledge about our style ;) – helped immensely.
Jule
Jule, wow! That basket is the perfect fit! Great find. I love the camel picture, too :)
Slate and marble pieces! I bought a huge slate table that needed the base repainted for 5 bucks and sold it for over a hundred! Also look for primitive pieces or cast iron. It often looks like junk, but clean up very well quite often. Old lamps can be rewired and the kits are not too expensive.
I love snatching up old ornate frames, mirrors and brass accessories.
Good morning, Jackie,
Thank you so much for this post and all of the affiliated free design tools. It is truly a joy to find reflections and affirmations of my design style here on your blog.
I look forward to sharing time and learning from & with you in the coming days.
Happy 2016!