I’ve been exploring uncharted territory...for me, at least! My neighbors and I decided to check out the flea/antique shops in another section of Atlanta and…I hit the jackpot with some fabulous vintage frenchy finds…and more!
We started out at Kudzu in Decatur where I found myself drawn to the things I love…a fabulous bouillotte lamp for $49 (Mine is similar and was $15) and a Victorian castor set for $90 (Mine is nowhere near as elegant, but was only $20). But I wanted to cry when I saw the Victorian ink well painted white! Why? You may remember my post about the one I found that had no lid and my search for something that would work. And this one has a lid! Waaaah!
There were also a few interesting vintage-ish pieces that I checked out and filed away under possible ideas to copy! lol
My visit there netted me this little stool for $13. It tugged at my heartstrings and had to come home with me. I had a stool just like this as a little girl and it somehow got lost in the shuffle when I moved to France. Now I have its twin for my grandsons to use!
But it wasn’t until we hit Avondale Antiques in Avondale Estates that I found true frenchiness! There was a small collection of vintage French postcards, including this little booklet of 24 cards from Carcassonne…a place I had visited as a college student. And best of all…it was only $5.00! Woo hoo!
It is filled with delicately colored cards in pristine condition depicting the medieval walled city…beautiful! There was still tissue paper between some of the cards. The owner told us that it had come from the estate of a couple who had traveled to Europe in the 1920s…interesting! I will add these to the Parisian postcards I found a few weeks ago. It seems that I am beginning to collect vintage French postcards!
But my absolute favorite frenchy find is this fabulous vintage Henriot Quimper candle holder! It's in the shape of a leaf and is trimmed with those famous stylized Quimper flowers and the little Breton man...and it was very reasonably priced! I don't have anything like it in my collection.
Of course, the staff had to check it out...up close and personal!
Hmmm...it seems that Baby Kitty has deemed it bor-ing! lol It's easy to get over Quimper-ized at my house! But that's OK with me...I love it!
I added the postcards to my bundle of books from the Yale Shakespeare series and created a little vignette with my Quimper candle holder. As usual, our co-host Baby Kitty had to oversee the shot. Can you see his reflection in the silver tray?
And a special frenchy find…a gargoyle (although I am told this is actually a grotesque since it doesn’t serve as a water spout) for my 10 year old grandson’s little collection of mini monuments and buildings! They hang out around his computer along with the snake he made, which you see lurking in the background! I am always on the lookout for more monuments to add to his collection while I am thrifting.
The gargoyle is actually a replica of one at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris! It is very accessible from the cathedral’s towers and is on his must see list for our trip this summer! (Click here for a panoramic view of Paris from the bell towers plus a close-up look at some of the gargoyles. Just drag your mouse and look around. Be sure to go to full screen!) We are so excited! It won’t be too much longer now until we will be standing there!
And finally, I’d like to invite you to visit the home of my friend Babs through her new blog Upstairs Downstairs! She lives in a beautiful split level home…thus the title…decorated in her lovely English country style! I met her through blogging and discovered that she lives just around the corner! Isn’t Blogland wonderful?
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my frenchy treasures! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Frenchy at Le Château des Fleurs for the French Obsession Party the first of each month
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for French Inspiratin on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Linda at A la Carte for Junkin' Finds on Fridays
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!
What a fun, fun day! Love that candle holder. And the postcards. And...and...and! I'll go check out your friend's blog. Love the title.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your Saturday.
Great post, Deb.....love the vintage postcards from Carcassonne - what an amazing place it is! The stool is a wonderful memory AND usefule, too! And, of course, the Quimper candlestick. Glad it found its way to your home and beautiful collection! Linda
ReplyDeleteSeems like you had a lot of fun Debbie, with some really cute finds. I don't think I could have walked out without that little stool either ;o)
ReplyDeleteI've spotted a Quimper plate in my local charity shop, but as I'm trying REALLY hard to de-clutter some 'stuff' I walked out and left it there - I'm sure it was under £2Hope someone has found it a good home as I'm going to 'pop in' there again in the next half hour!
Have a great weekend
Rose H
It is so fun to go "hunting" and finding new place and to bring home treasures! love the postcards, I just picked up one on ebay for 2.99!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for scouting out new shops. We should get together and go some day, too. Maybe Linda and Babs, too. I love the stuff you found. That candlestick is perfect. Thanks for telling me Babs started a blog since she hasn't told me. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovin' your new candlestick Debbie! The pic is cute with Baby Kitty's reflection too-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteWhat great finds! have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, smiling BIG for you at the moment. Great finds. Your Q candle holder is a super find. It truly is one of my favorite forms. I like most of the pieces with leaves. ;-) So happy for you that it is now among your collection. It makes a perfect vignette with the books and vintage postcards. You have a terrific eye for great finds. Did the bouillotte lamp go home with you too? I've been keeping my eyes open with hopes of finding one. And the gargoyle for Mr. A is perfect for the anticipation of your trip. Love the idea of getting him started on a collection of his own. What better genre than mini monuments and buildings. Tell him I think the snake is amazing. He is very talented! But I already knew that!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the day. ~ Sarah
Debbie you find the best things on your junkin hunts! I love the postcards but the candle holder is amazing. Love the vignette you made...the reflection of baby kitty made me smile. Thanks for joining JFF! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteDebbie, New places to shop?? Whoo hoo! You DID find some treasures! Love the vintage French postcards and the Quimper candleholder. I get such a kick from Baby Kitty and seeing him checking out your new finds. Great shot with his candle lit reflection in the silver tray.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks again, and again for introducing me to the blogging community. And thanks to everyone who left such sweet and welcoming comments. I'm on my way to visit everyone's blogs. Have a great weekend.
Everytime I look at your blog and have the urge to get in my car to go thrifting.. love what you do
ReplyDeleteI've just nominated your for the Stylish Blogger Award for such a wonderful blog! If you choose to accept the award, you can read about how to do it at http://southernhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2011/02/award.html
Hope you are able to accept this award and pass it along! Have a great weekend.
DEbbie, I love your new treasures. How fun are they. Love your Quimper, that is such a wonderful piece and I know A love the gargoyle. I'm sure he is so excited about your trip this summer. Hope you're having a super weekend. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteOh, dear friend, what fabulous Frenchy finds! I, unlike Baby Kitty, could have looked and drolled all day! Those postcards are absolutely gorgeous! The pastel colors are so rich and elegant for the time peroid of 1920's! Hm~m~m. . .do we see framing in the future? Love that you met a fellow blogger nearby! I'll check out her blog today! Thanks for such an uplifting post. . . today,once again, it's a dreary day on the prairie!
Fondly,
Pat
Yay for Decatur (where it's greater) LOL! That's where we plan on moving to if we can sell this house.
ReplyDeleteManuela
What a great find with the candle holder Debbie..It just screams your name for sure..What no GW this week ha ha!! Hugs and smiles Gloria
ReplyDeleteWow-what great finds! I really like the quimper candlestick holder. Apparently Kramer is interested too as he joined me while I was reading your blog post. However, I do believe he's more interested in Baby Kitty than your treasures:).
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kim
You done good. Richard at My Old Historic House.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so pretty. Love the candle-holder. Thanks for introducing the new blogger. Have a great wknd. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you would such wonderful things! I get excited every time I see a new post of yours, knowing that it will be something wonderful!
ReplyDeleteTerrific finds, Debbie, just beautiful! Love your grandson's collection, such interesting things!
ReplyDeleteand too cool to find a fellow blogger right around the corner!
Sounds and looksw like you had a wonderful time. Now you have new 'haunts' to keep checking on.
ReplyDeleteI'll try and email a photo of the gargoyle I have..so ugly it's cute!!
I love your Frenchy finds, Debbie. Funny, we both went to an Avondale Antiques from 2 different states and have posted about it at the same time...Christine
ReplyDeleteYou are the best finder of lovely things Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI adore your frenchy postcards and the candle holder and stool!
And you have the most cooperative Kitty's! They really love having their pics taken!
Great post!
Hugs,
Cindy
Cats can be such critics! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those postcards Deb, what a beautiful find. And that candlestick was meant to come home with you. The staff might be more impressed if you placed some kibble on the plate portion LOL. Yep, yesterday was a horrid day - some people should just NOT own pets. But as Scarlet said, tomorrow (actually today) is another day :) Kat
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, You knew I would love the Quimper candlestick and the postcards! I climbed to the top of Notre Dame on our last visit to France. I am claustophobic and this was not a pleasant experience for me. It did not help that the lady a head of me was crying and wanting to turn around the whole time! I look back and it is funny now.
ReplyDeletexo,
Sherry
I hope Laurie and Sarah don't cry when they see your Quimper. It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI keep watching that show with the auctions near you in GA, Auction King. I look for you!
Love your new Quimper candlestick. I didn't even know what Quimper was until I started "visiting" so many homes in blogland! Isn't it wonderful to find unexpected treasures?
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie! Oh, that is so interesting about your Confederate soldier. You know how hard those times must have been. I seem to be the only cousin in my family on both side who seem to care about genealogy! Well, I'll pass it on to my children.
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a great weekend.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Debbie you found some wonderful things! Ooohh I love that quimper candlestick! And the little french postcars are wonderful! Love the tray reflecting Baby Kitty too! *winks* Vanna
ReplyDeleteJackpot for sure Deb. WOW
ReplyDeleteCan Kitty's mouth get any bigger? lol. CUTE
We talked about you. Were your ears ringing? Julie was here last week. We had a ball. We talked about our GA. trip and our shopping and wine drinking adventures all over again.
Coming to say hi.
I have a new blog.. just started it actually. Testing the waters.
Hugs Deb
Love Claudie
xoxoxo
What a great day of treasure hunting! I'm you neighbor form Between Naps linky party!
ReplyDeleteWonderful finds! Baby kitty is so adorable ~ I am in love!! Thanks for a lovely post and I am off to visit your friend too!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Every one of these pictures brought a smile to my face. Love the picture of your kitty checking it all out:)
ReplyDeleteWell Debbie, I don't what I can add that the others haven't already said....well maybe that I'm pea green with envy :). Thanks for sharing your beautiful new additions.
ReplyDeleteDeb, your French finds are the best! I love this kind of ceramics. My husband used to have a ceramic factory and I used to design china...I have a last year's Thanksgiving table with one such china.
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower as I love your things and wish to be friends with so much in common. Come visit me, your welcome to.
XOXO
FABBY
What great finds. Isn't it fun to explore antique shops? I love when I find a new one too.
ReplyDeleteGreat cat shots.
Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I love your blue and white plates in the heading of your blog...I asume you have them all. Gorgeous! I'm an addict like you, but, will not go on rehab!
ReplyDeleteLOVE
FABBY
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteHappy to see ya at my birthday party...how cool that she lives so close by:)
Blessings,
Linda
Always fun to see what you come up with. Lots of treasures. I know your sweet kitties agree. You know everytime I go into GW I look for a bouillotte lamp and of course think of you. I have never seen one at a thrift shop. I won't give up! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to a new blogger. I've already joined as a follower. I too loved seeing your grandson's collection.
Enjoy your week.
Donna
Lots of great finds but my favorite is the candle holder, one day I'll find a piece of quimper at a good price too.
ReplyDeleteSCORE!!! I love it all, especially your kitty cats, so cute! I love going to antique shops, getting ideas of what others do and then try as I may to do a little creating when I get home. You really found some fabulous beauties!
ReplyDeleteI'm just swooning over those French postcards ... and how extra special that you have visited there! Simply wonderful! Thank you for sharing at the French Cupboard today!
ReplyDeletexo
Jill
Great find! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your Frenchy finds. Very beautiful. That gargoyle is too fun. My son collects things like that too. You grandson did a wonderful job on that snake. He (the snake) would give me the shivers.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Oh, the postcard book is soooo cool. And I love that wire basket with the burlap lining.
ReplyDeleteThanks for playing along with our first VOILA!
Blessings... Polly
Counting Your Blessings & French Cupboard
Great finds. Glad your staff approves of your finds. Wonder if you could strip the paint off the ink well? Well, I'm off to check out your friend's blog.
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing finds. Yes, sometimes just a trip across town yields a truckload of new treasures. Stopping by from Debras Vintage Inspiration party. Love your kitties as well. New follower.
ReplyDeleteFrench and Vintage...woohoo...love those finds...your kitties kill me...cats are so cute...I just love 'em...they have to be in the middle of everything and lo and behold if you bring in anything new....they are the first on the scene :)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
Queenie
I'm laughing at the "over Quimperized". Love the staff, they're a great group. mine really help SOOOO much. Thanks for linking up with VIF!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Debra
Wow great finds. Enjoy Paris this summer it is amazing. Here in Quebec Canada we have a small replica of Notre Dame basilica in our Vieux Montréal. It is beautiful, but scaled down. I also love gargoyles I have them everywhere. They have them on churches to protect and keep evil spirits at bay. No spirits lurking around my home.
ReplyDeleteI want ALL your stuff !!!
ReplyDelete:)bj
You made some wonderful finds. I love the Quimper candlestick. My Grandmother collect Quimper and this brought back nice memories. ~~Sherry~~
ReplyDeleteLooks like you did good there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteSherry
That lamp is to die for! I NEED one of those. I think I will be on the search for one for a while!
ReplyDeleteI do have a little orange kitty like that one though :)
Best,
Ashleigh
Debbie, I knew when I saw your thumbnail on my blog that I needed to prepare myself to be extremely envious, and I wasn't wrong! That candleholder is so unique and so pretty! I NEVER see ANYTHING LIKE THAT in stores around here! The book of postcards was a great find too. I enjoyed seeing some of the other Frenchy finds, and I'm sure I will be envious again when you replicate them perfectly! Thank you for linking to Favorite Things, even if you did make me turn green! (Well, I guess if I'm going to be green, this is the month to do it.). laurie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for linking up to the French Obsession party !
ReplyDeleteCome back on April 1st for another party !
Debbie, Of course you know I'm always in for anything French. Some great pics! I'll bet you and your grandson are SO excited for your Paris trip...oh my I would love to get packed in your suitcase to trek along. :) You'd be a great guide, for sure. I must visit your friend, Upstairs Downstairs blog. English decor is my shared favorite alongside French. Her opened door into her home is a great and enticing welcome photo! As far as Baby Kitty, she cracks me up - I always love you incorporating her into your posts. :)
ReplyDelete