Article originally published for House Beautiful by Kathryn O'Shea Evans, February 14th, 2019.
Paisley Acres Sitting Area Vintage Sign
The origin of the term flea market couldn’t be less romantic: Vendors hawking their wares in the slums of 19th-century Paris were said to work in a marché aux puces, literally “the fleas’ market.” But today’s swap meets are proud destinations, not to mention the ultimate choice for sustainable shopping. I'm an unabashed, compulsive rummage-sale buyer, but I'm also pragmatic. Don’t go to a flea market at the end of a decorating project, when you’re looking for something specific. You’ll end up in tears! Instead, keep your eyes on the prize: the thrill of the search itself (ok, and a few very specific items). Here are some of my top flea market finds you should never pass up.
Sarah's Rental Cottage Aged Ceramics
1. Aged Ceramics
Look for pieces that are useful and functional. No knicknacks! My two go-to pottery-makers are McCoy and Haeger. If I see stuff in cream or green, I just buy it. They make your table tell a more interesting story.
2. Vintage Signs
We’ve reached market saturation on these, but original ones can be amazing. Avoid reproductions with fakey aging to keep the look from being corny.
Paisley Acres Sitting Area Vintage Sign
Paisley Acres Bedroom
3. Bold Quilts
I find quilts quite hard to pass up! Seek out graphic, geometric patterns and elements that can inform an entire colour scheme.
4. Decorative Chairs
If you have a deep, loungey sofa, you may want to accent it with what I call ‘guest chairs’: smaller pieces with great decorative value that also give you extra seating. Go for something with wow factor in terms of the silhouette.
Sarah Style Decorative Chair
Starlight Wooden Desk
5. All. Wood. Everything.
Older furniture is going to be much better quality—think dovetail construction—at a lower price point than it would be to get that level of detail now. If it’s not the right colour, don’t worry: Just paint it!
6. Corbels & Brackets
Old architectural details supply instant charm in a home. I usually spot them in the $75 range, and either leave them in their original finish or tweak the colour with a subtle whitewash.
Paisley Acres Corbels
Fiona's Room - Starlight Farm
7. Botanical Prints
Pages from old books make for great vintage art and cost just a few dollars each. Frame them up and hang them as a unit.