I would be a happy lady if I could spend every Saturday morning at the flea market. When my calendar is empty and the weather is good, I explore my favorite spots. Although you don’t know what you’ll find at flea markets, and you may not win big every time you go, there is always plenty to look through.
Ceramic Bowl
Many flea markets that I frequent feature secondhand products and items made by independent artisans. The woman who made this bowl in black and white told me she used it every day in her kitchen when she bought it. As lovely as a chic cereal bowl may sound, I had other ideas for mine.
I love to collect matchbooks while on the road or at home, so I knew this piece would be a great way to display a part of my collection. It was a great addition to my bar cart.
Dior Suitcase
This was the ultimate flea market find. This bag caught my eye while I visited an NYC landmark one Sunday in December. I spoke to the seller to confirm the item’s authenticity, and I made a price comparison online to find that the suitcase was a great deal. It is a bit more expensive than I would normally spend on a whim.
Although I knew I wanted to use the suitcase for decor, I was surprised at how large it could hold. It is now a part of my living room. I use it to add elegance and storage space to my prints, extra pictures, candle holders, and other decorative items. It’s a win-win situation: storage and sophistication.
Pages from an Old Book
Framing pages of books is a great way to display original art for a low price. But who would want to buy a new book to tear it apart? You won’t find anyone, I promise! Flea markets are great because you can find coffee table books that have seen better days but still have frame-worthy content.
The flea market that I visited this summer went one step further. A vendor sold book pages that were already neatly torn and very affordable. The illustrations of landmarks in Manhattan were a highlight for me as a New Yorker.
I bought some frames online at a reasonable price, but the photos are in, and they now hang in my bedroom, where they make me happy.
Vintage Photography
Vintage photographs are often sold at flea markets individually, and I enjoy browsing them. While traveling in London, I was able to find some amazing ones. I also found them at my usual spot in NYC. I always find the set of photographs quite entertaining to flip through.
You can subtly incorporate a theme into your apartment by looking for photos of flappers. You might also love all the 1970s, and you will find plenty of photos. You can frame your favorite photos and create stories about the amazing lives of those pictured.
Teacups
What’s cuter than a porcelain teacup! There isn’t much more! Teacups are a common sight at flea markets. They can be used to decorate your home and to wash them.
You can place one on your dresser to store earrings and small jewelry pieces. Then, add another to your vanity to hold hair ties and lipsticks. It’s so sweet and feminine!
