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May 18, 2011  in vintage finds

flea market finds

flea market finds

I’ve always been a fan of objects with history that have been well used and well loved, I think it gives them character and soul. I love antique fairs and junk shops and always stop in if I pass a jumble sale sign outside a village hall. Above all though, I LOVE car boot sales and for the last year I’ve been posting photos of my car boot booty every month on my Homemade Home Facebook page.

Here is a selection of my favourite recent secondhand finds, all bought for just a few pounds and even pence in some cases. Have a look on Facebook for more images.

flea market finds

flea market finds

You can always find all sorts of things that can be upcycled and given a new lease of life, or just displayed in an interesting way. And the great thing is that it’s unlikely anyone else will have something quite the same in their home and you won’t see them on every high street shop shelf.

I am usually on the look out for things to incorporate into projects, re-vamp, use as props in photo shoots or just to display. Things like old board games and playing cards, wooden boxes, signs, buttons, fabrics, tools, vintage toys, keys, paintings and embroideries. Anything that catches my eye.

flea market finds

flea market finds

For anyone outside the UK, a car boot (or ‘trunk’ in the US I think) sale is like a giant flea market or swap meet, usually in a field or school playground, where people drive in and sell their old unwanted things from the back of their cars at cheap prices.

I am very lucky as my local one is brilliant and gets antique dealers selling old stock as well as householders. I think I’m addicted – I must be to jump out of bed at 6am on a Sunday morning to get there before the crowds start to arrive!

I will be posting photos of my vintage finds each month and later on today I’ll share a little idea for a gift that was inspired by a flea market find, so do pop back.

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13 Comments

  1. elisa says:

    it takes quite an eye to find such treasures amongst the junk! now that i have a car boot of my own i’ve been thinking about hunting down a market. we went to the ardingly antiques fair and it confirmed a serious passion (luckily my little children share it!). i love old storied objects too. these are delightful. x

  2. Wow – these are beautiful. I have been wanting to go to a car boot sale or flea market for ages but there is nothing on near me. We do have charity shops though – which I love.

  3. I love your finds. You can use them for so many different purpuses. So inspiring!
    Greetings.

  4. Works best when clock faces are put in a Sophie Conran bowl :-)))
    You found some lovely stuff, the buttons are super cute.

  5. Megan says:

    It’s such a treat to discover little treasures at the flea market – the memories of those finds are always special. Thanks for these beautiful photographs!

  6. jeska says:

    lovely collection, I have the same cigar box!

  7. Vicki K says:

    What pretty finds! I love to see what kinds of items are found in different cities…and I’m going to use your candle-gift ideas too – thank you!

  8. Alexis says:

    Hi Sania – your blog is looking beautiful, love these images, especially the lady with her fans!

  9. Sania Pell says:

    Thank you so much everyone! x

  10. Marcela says:

    I love your finds 🙂
    Marce,

  11. Arianna says:

    Sania, this is just a beautiful blog..truly inspiring! I love your finds, you have such an eye. What would you say are your favourite flea markets in London? I fell in love with Vanves in Paris during my holiday. Dying to go to Ardingly too…… X

  12. Lella says:

    I too love items which tell a story. Objects that have had a life and have signs of wear add to their charm. We find them and now they come on new travels and spend time with us. It is lovely to discover another blog which shares so many passions. Loving it! Lella 🙂 x

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INTERIORS, FOOD & STILL LIFE STYLIST

ABOUT SANIA

Sania Pell freelance interior stylist London.

Sania Pell is a freelance interior stylist, art/creative director and consultant based in London. She is a Contributing Stylist at Elle Decoration magazine, with whom she has worked for over 20 years, and is well known for bringing a unique aspect to photographic shoots for national publications, leading international brands and retailers as well as style consultancy for architects and property developers. She is the author of best-selling book The Homemade Home and The Homemade Home for Children. A trained, former textile designer, Sania is also involved in many multi-disciplinary creative projects.

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