Flea Market Fever

I've got the fever and I've had it bad for a long time. I know it's weird, but I can't help it. When I find something that Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware recreates, sitting in a tag sale for a quarter of the price or less, my hands get sweaty and my head gets light. It's magic.

Over the years, I've found some real treasures! Here are a few of my favorite things...

This 1942 lithograph I found framed and matted for 19.99 at Goodwill. I love Goodwill, don't you?



These cute little 1950's era roosters are so cute. I couldn't resist them at 7 dollars for the pair!

I also found the French armoire at a flea market in Tongren, Belgium years ago. It's cool because it folds down flat like a puzzle. The two prints were also flea market finds, matted and framed, 18 buckaroonies!

I keep my quilting fabric in this hutch from the "Peddler's Mall" in Kentucky. It was so cheap and crusty, I didn't feel badly about putting nails in the sides and hanging my quilting rulers where I could get to them easily. Another reason I love second hand... you don't feel anxious about doing whatever you want to make it your own. The inside holds a ton of fabric. My dad thinks it's ugly, but who cares what he thinks.

Occasionally my husband gets into it, like when he found this lovely antique recliner at a junk store for 50 bucks! It's got a brass rod in the back that moves up and down to adjust the position.

Grace's dresser is falling apart, so I've been on the lookout for a replacement. I found this Edwardian "gentleman's butler" a couple of weeks ago. It still has the original labels on the shelves for very British things like, "pyjamas" and "sundries". It smells like moth balls still, so I haven't actually put her clothes in it. All part of the game!

A cheapo bookshelf from a thrift store has been most useful upstairs for keeping bedtime books organized and handy. I did have to paint this one because it had stains all over it.

This rolling desk was just too cute to pass by. The only thing I had to do was repair the leg. I've used it as a desk, a small kitchen island, and now an entry way table. The print above it was bought in Kahl, Germany for 15 Deutsch marks = about 8 dollars at the time. It was my very first flea market find!

And if I had to choose one more of my favorites, it would be this little table. Nothing special really, it just fit perfectly in that spot and cost next to nothing. It also came with that finish.

I'm not posting this to brag about my fabulous finds, but to help anyone looking for inspiration on a budget. Keep in mind it takes a lot of looking to find one treasure, but it's worth it. I have so many fun memories when I look at these things too like, hauling around babies in front packs and strollers at 6 in the morning with other Army wives.... dragging our stuff behind us, exhausted and exhilarated! Bartering when I didn't have the money to actually purchase with cash! Walking my kids at various indoor flea markets when it was raining because I couldn't stand having them in the house for ONE MORE MINUTE. Using vinegar and baking soda to get the "old people/house" smell out of furniture. Fun stuff like that. It's a challenge to decorate a house, especially when money is tight but it makes it fun when it turns into sport!

If any of you like junk shopping as well, call me. I'm so there.

PS. I also love IKEA, can you tell?