On the Hunt for Flea Market Treasures
Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your copper sink.
Sunshine and warm weather are finally making their return to my little corner of the world, which means that flea market season is upon us! Thereās nothing I love more than waking up early on a weekend to meander about rows and rows of treasures. A love for old things was instilled in me early on by my mom and, as a result, my style now is what I would call a āvintage-modern mix.ā Sometimes, I head into a flea market looking for something specific. But most of the time, Iām not on the hunt for anything in particular at allā¦and those are the times when I usually find something I didnāt know I couldnāt live without!
I wanted to share a few things that I always find myself drawn to when I go to a flea market or even a thrift or antique store. I usually end up buying these kinds of items even if I donāt have a specific plan for them right awayā¦only because theyāre unique and really versatile when it comes to home dĆ©cor.
Unique Artwork
First up, artwork! Iām a sucker for vintage oil paintings, watercolors, sketchesā¦any type of original artwork, really. Iām always fascinated by the subject matter and the amount of hours and talent that went into creating each piece. I also love the unique nature of each pieceā¦definitely a way to jazz up your walls with something no one else has! I live on a farm and old barns have a special place in my heart. I found an oil painting of a barn at a flea market a couple of years ago and couldnāt pass it up. Since then, Iāve amassed a small collection of vintage barn oil paintings that are now hanging as a gallery wall in my mudroom. Some were gifted to me by friends, which makes the collection all the more sweeter because Iām reminded not only of these special people in my life, but also of the fun I had collecting each piece of art.
Vintage Frames
You canāt talk artwork without talking frames, right? Old frames are another thing Iām always keeping an eye out for at flea markets, auctions or antique stores. In the case of frames, Iām not so concerned with whatās in them. I buy frames I like and take the photo or art out so I can put something else in. OId frames donāt always come in standard sizes, so if you want to use one for a photo or print you have, you can always order a custom mat. You can also get creative with mounting options. A lot of the barn paintings I have didnāt come with frames. So I found old frames that were close in size to the paintings I had. If they werenāt an exact fit, I covered the back of the old frame with canvas, left the glass out and glued the art in place.
Antique Silver
Thereās something about old silver pieces that always draws me in. Maybe itās the intricate work and the fact that these elegant pieces were once used as everyday serveware in households. Serving trays, creamers, compote dishes ā I love them all and I get especially excited if I find a one with a monogram on it. Such beauty in these personalized pieces! I like to use these special items in unexpected ways ā like propping silver trays up in layers on a shelf or using an old sugar bowl as a planter for succulents.
Glass Vases
Glass vases are on this list? Yep! Not fancy, ornate, cut crystal vasesā¦just plain olā sturdy glass vases. Iām about to let you in on a little secret of mine. One of my favorite ways to decorate a shelf or table top is with a grouping of same-shade pottery. But specialty vases can get expensive. So to get the look without the price tag, I buy glass vases in various shapes and sizes at flea markets or thrift storesā¦usually for 25 or 50 cents each. I take them home and spray paint them in my desired shade and they take on a whole new look! I used white chalk spray paint for these ones I keep on display in my navy blue cabinet. The entire shelf cost me less than $5!
Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration
So now that Iāve shared some of the knick-knacks Iām always searching out at flea markets, Iām going to wrap this post up with my absolute favorite thing to find: inspiration! There are so many creative people out there doing so many creative things. Sometimes, I walk the rows of flea markets or estate sales and donāt end up buying anythingā¦but I always leave with some inspiration. Whether itās an idea for something new to collect or an idea for a cool new way to display something, I pick up a lot just roaming around and meeting new people. Case in point: I snapped this pic at the famed Brimfield Flea Market last year. Seed to Stem was one of my favorite booths to visit and this old filing cabinet of theirs, filled to the brim with plants of all kinds, just stole my heart. Now if only my camera had a copy/paste feature so I could transport this display right into my home!
Show us your flea market finds! Tag us on Instagram at @Sinkology and @FarmhouseRedefined.
If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.