Weekend Finds: Part II

Like Tammy said, we like to head out to the monthly flea market obnoxiously early. This gives us a first look at what people have to offer and also to chat with our friends and vendors. Getting up at the crack of dawn paid off in at least my favor. More of that to come.

One of the first things I purchased without any hesitation were these two watercolors. My husband and I recently updated our bathroom from early 90s crazy to something more in style with our house. There’s a blank wall staring me in the face right when I walk in. I got worried when the seller mentioned they’ve been hanging in her living room for 30+ years that maybe she wasn’t ready to give them up, but the price she shot was great and I loooove them and promised her to give them a good home where they will be appreciated. They’re paintings of houses from the South of Grand neighborhood in Des Moines by a local artist. They will look beautiful in our bathroom. And don’t worry, that little octagonal frame isn’t going to show a farmyard scene forever. That’s a project in waiting. The pants hangers will be used to hang a tapestry in the living room. All of these are things I set out looking for and they seemed to flock right to me.

I almost bought this fabric. Four yards for $5. Is it crazy-pants crazy or not crazy enough? Part of me loved it: the rooster, the ship, old-fashioned sign, but part of me couldn’t get on board. Austin was in the background chanting, “Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!” What are your thoughts?

After the flea market we hit up a large indoor flea market. Near the end of our shopping Tammy looked down and said, “Look how cute our cart is!” Yes. We cart-coordinate like masters. I was also searching for containers to use in our open shelving in the bathroom. We luckily scored a booth that was clearing out everything at 75% off. All the pottery in there was less than $5.

A few other lucky finds were these fantastic lamp shades and white enamel trays. If you find a lamp with no shade, you might want to wait to run out and get a new one at the store. These used and in great condition shades were $4 total. I’m thinking about keeping the lamp base with the orange glass globe but the verdict is still out.

Where my luck truly hit the roof was in a booth at the flea market that had just taken off the sheets covering his tables. And there it was.

Did anyone else just gasp in astonishment? No? Just me? Alright.

The Birds of America by John James Audubon, 1937. You probably don’t realize this yet, but I have a thing for old bird books. There’s even a gallery wall of old Audubon prints running up our staircase. I have the fourth printing of this book, but this is the second and oh so much better.

Check out that cover and title page.

Plus there’s 500 pages of these beautifully illustrated lithographs.

The book is in great condition except missing its dust jacket and there’s a faded spread in the middle, but for where it was found I can’t believe it still functions as a book. The seller mentioned this book was holding up the leg of a dresser when he found it. A dresser. Thank you for rescuing it for me.