My pal and fellow style-setter Eddie Ross (perhaps you remember his wonderful wit on last season’s Top Design on Bravo?) knows how to navigate a flea market better than anyone. So now that spring has sort of sprung and the outdoors beckon, I asked Eddie for some of the hottest trends in flea market finds right now.
Vintage Lighting
Vintage lighting fixtures are one of the best ways to make a room feel unique. Whether a French crystal chandelier or a mid-century chrome pendant, English two-arm wall scones or art deco table lamps, period lighting instantly lifts (and illuminates) a room.
Look at Eddie’s latest find, a fabulous, curvy alabaster lamp, perfect for a cozy side table.
Side Chairs and Ottomans
These days, most people buy their sofas new. But to give a room a more eclectic feel, mix in side chairs and ottomans from a flea market. To update them, pick a fabric you love (Kravet and Calico Corners are two of my favorite sources). It’s an easy and inexpensive way to create a stylish mix.
Eclectic Tabletop
These days, people are spending more time at home doing something I love, entertaining. But just because you’re dining in doesn’t mean you have to settle. To bring new life to your table settings without breaking the bank, head to the flea market for, say, a set of six antique glasses or eight salad/dinner plates. Mix them in with what you already have, and your table will feel like new.
DIY
New furniture can be super expensive, but there are many great options at flea markets that you can update yourself. If you like the lines of a piece but not the finish, paint it out. Swap out the glass for mirror. Change the hardware. Wallpaper the inside. There are as many options for doing it yourself as your own imagination allows.
Dressing the Room
Right now, it’s all about re-use, and one of my favorite ways to spruce up a room is by adding pillows made from vintage fabric and clothing. Take an old fur and reupholster a small chair. Turn a men’s suit jacket into a boxed pillow for a tuxedo sofa. It’s inexpensive and, best of all, one-of-a-kind.
For more on the country’s best flea markets and antiques stores, check out my latest book, Mobil Travel Guide Antiques & Collectibles: A Treasure Trove of Information on the Best Antiques Shopping Around the Country. Now get outside, and go rummage!