Sitting in my hallway are some shutters that I removed from one of my windows. I took them down because they just didn’t allow enough light into what is a small room. So I’ve been thinking about repurposing them. Shutters and doors can easily be repurposed as a headboard, as you’ll see in the following images.  The trend of repurposing is environmentally friendly and creates a unique element to your shabby chic home.

This holiday weekend I’ve made it my goal to do some antique and flea market shopping.  I’ve got the family on board and we’re going to make a day of it.  Though we’ve been to a few in our area, we’ll be heading west to some unfamiliar towns and markets.  Flea market shopping can be a bit overwhelming and I need to be prepared so I’ve put together this reminder list for myself.

If you’re headed out this weekend for some shopping here are some tips:

1. Arrive early for the best selection. If you’re traveling far, like I am, this may be difficult.  But if you are looking for a particular item you won’t want to miss out because someone else beat you to it.  For general browsing this will be less important.  Really confident and experienced shoppers (unlike me) may actually arrive late in the day and while selections will be slim, the best deals may be possible at that time.
2. Dress appropriately. Mornings might be cool this time of year so you may want to dress in layers.  Comfortable clothes and shoes especially are important for an all day shopping jaunt.  You may also get dusty or dirty from handling objects, so leave the Sunday best at home.
3. Bring measurement tools.  A pencil, notepad, and tape measure are a must.  Take measurements of your room, space or wall area you’re trying to fill.  Nothing’s worse than buying a piece of furniture that won’t fit into your space!  The notepad is also handy for writing down  the name/number of a booth you may want to revisit later in the day.
4. Money matters. It’s best to bring cash in small bills.  Some vendors don’t accept credit cards.  Having cash allows you to stick to a budget more easily.  As far as haggling goes, yes it is acceptable within reason.  You might try asking the vendor “Is this your best price?” to start negotiations.
5. BYOB. That’s bring your own bags and blankets.  Plastic or cloth tote bags are a very good idea to bring.  If you anticipate purchasing several items and are concerned about lugging them around all day,  a rolling basket or suitcase may do well.  Plan on buying furniture?  Don’t forget to bring blankets and maybe even some ropes or bungees to safely secure your pieces for the ride home.

Most markets have food and even some have entertainment, so enjoy your day out.  Once you get home you can unpack your treasures and dream about their many possibilities.  That’s why this month I’m recommending the book Flea Market Style to help you pull it all together.  Have fun!

Objects are considered antique when they at least 100 years old.  Obviously some are extremely more valuable than others due to period, design, and maker.  What seems to have changed recently is the public’s perception of what is valuable in terms of usefulness and ultimately price.

The Keno Brothers, known from Antiques Roadshow and experts for Traditional Home, are indicating that now is a perfect time to catch a bargain.  Quality antique pieces, especially American made, can be found for rock-bottom prices.  This is partly due to shifts in taste.  For instance,  many people no longer use armoires to hold TVs since the rise of large flat screens.  That creates a greater supply of available antiques.

In my recent experience this was proved true.  I recently attended an antique furniture auction in Sealy TX and the armoires were going so cheap!  I was really quite surprised.  My message to you is to keep a look out, you never know when you might find a bargain.  Don’t assume that you can’t afford an antique piece that you want. Keep looking because one incredible piece (hopefully at a bargain) may be all you need to elevate your shabby chic home to perfect satisfaction!

When I was six, our family moved into an old two story house that had a clawfoot bathtub. I was fascinated as to why anyone would want to give the tub feet and make it look like an animal. I could barely see over the sides when I was sitting in it. Eventually it was replaced because our family was growing and we needed to add a shower, but I’ll always remember that tub. Now that I’m an adult I wish that I could experience soaking in that tub and relaxing with the scent of soothing essential oils. Since I can’t have it, here’s my photo homage to clawfoot bathtubs!

image sources:  1. Country Living 2.  Country Living 3. Bottom of the Ironing Basket 4. Apartment Therapy via Houzz

Summertime.  That fun in the sun time.  Days spent by the pool, or if you’re lucky, the ocean.  I especially love the color of  water -with  it’s depth of translucence, and the way light reflects and dances on the surface.  The next closest thing that captures those qualities is aqua colored glass.  Remember your mother or grandmother canning vegetables with the aqua colored Mason Jars?

If you’re not into canning, the jars can have other functional and decorative uses.  Summer dinner parties and intimate outdoor weddings are perfect occasions for bringing out the vintage jars and adding a touch of class in an inexpensive way.

image sources 1.  Heartbeats and Drumsticks 2.  Bridal Buds 3.  Kitchenisms 4.  High Street Market 5. Country Living 6.  Elizabeth Anne Designs

Much of the appeal of creating a shabby chic home lies in finding one of a kind vintage treasures.  Flea markets offer a perfect opportunity for you to dig around and uncover a neglected piece of furniture, just waiting to be dusted off, freshened up, and debuted in your living room! (If you haven’t experienced flea market shopping, be forewarned, it’s quite addicting!)  

If you’re already addicted or even if you’re just curious about flea market style, then you’ll want to be hanging around your local magazine rack in the spring of 2010.  A new magazine, entitled Flea Market Style will be debuting.  It promises to give you advice on collecting, it will highlight vintage style decorating, and even include some projects for you to try.  

The designers who started this magazine are Ki Nassauer and Matthew Mead, and Linda MacDonald of the Restyled Home chronicles it all in the Flea Market Style Magazine Blog.

Flea Market Style Magazine