Craigslist Archives - French Country Cottage

The Best Place to find Copper Pots & Pans

Courtney — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 21:56:00 +0000

Do you know how sometimes you walk into a store and find something you weren’t looking for

but that you have to have because it fits perfectly with you,

your decor, your home, your style

your everything?

It happens.

And it happened again recently.

I walked into HomeGoods

and something jumped into my cart.

Just like a cat hops up on the counter.

It was a shiny treasure- that instantly caught my eye.

A perfect mix of favorite brass and copper details.

And you guessed it- it had personality galore.

After it landed in my cart- I stared at it for a few seconds and listened to it

as it whispered sweet nothings…

and I saw that it was a copper fish poacher with a brass fish on top

that was batting it’s pretty little eyes at me.

I shook my head

as I explained that I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years

and I don’t NEED a copper fish pan.

I don’t eat fish.

And I don’t need more copper.

And it laughed at me.

Like the falling over and landing on the floor kind of

laughing.

Of course, I knew it was laughing because even as I said

I don’t need any more copper and definitely not a fish poacher….

I was flipping it over to see the price.

I made a bit of a face as that copper laughed at me as I saw the price.

It was like

‘What did I tell you? And you thought you didn’t need me… HA.’

So, I smiled and said whatever under my breath

and brought that little chatty fish & copper pan home with me.

I knew the copper was on clearance because it looked a bit tarnished and had a

few scratches on the bottom.

The inside was clean – so it likely wasn’t used-

maybe just displayed.

And so, when I went to polish it up- I peeled back the clearance tag just to see what it said…

Compare to $357.

Original price at HomeGoods $249.

Clearance price $69.

Seriously. A STEAL of a price.

I polished it up with CopperBrill and it looks good as new.

And did you know that HomeGoods and TJMaxx

are both some of my favorite sources for copper?

This is another example from TJMaxx.

Another slightly tarnished & scratched piece- marked at a discount.

This was before polishing was done- but it polished with just a little work.

My best tips for finding copper while shopping there:

Of course scour the housewares/cookware aisle-

there are often clearance pieces mixed in with the everyday priced pieces.

Check the clearance aisle too- because sometimes the stores like to corral all the clearance in once place.

This fish poacher was actually stacked up with a bunch of aluminum pots and pans

in the clearance section

And don’t forget the .com- TJMAXX .com has a TON of great finds- as does Marshalls.com.

I have picked up several pieces of French and Italian copper there at incredible prices- including an entire pots and pans set of Mauviel at probably 1/3 the regular price.

And even if something is tarnished- bring it home!

Tarnished copper is just as beautiful as polished and if you want polished- polish it up.

That discounted price because the copper isn’t gleaming or perfect

is like a voice convincing you to bring yet another piece home.

And as you can see, I know that voice well.

You can read my post about the Easiest way to Polish Copper HERE

What do you think of this cute new addition to my copper collection?

Would you have brought it home too?

Since a lot of us are not out perusing stores all.the.time like before- and doing more shopping online right now- I thought I would update this post to reflect that and add a few more sources where I have found some great pieces.

Of course- vintage- try Ebay and Etsy. They have some wonderful pieces.

I have also found great prices on copper at stores like Macy’s and Amazon. If you have a set in mind- such as a hammered copper pots and pans set or a French Mauviel set- keep an eye on those places and search often when they have sales. And remember that something with more than one piece means you have an ‘instant’ collection. Which is kind of like a green light to add other pieces as you find them.

Some of these are a bit of a chunk in price- others are super affordable.

One of the best things about collecting copper is that if you take care of it- it develops that delicious patina and lasts and lasts-

so it is a good investment. Happy collecting!!

Mauviel Stock pot

Set of Copper Storage Bowls- (just $23!)

Hammered Copper Salad Bowl

Set of Copper Pots & Pans

Copper Stock Pot

Copper Pot

Copper Pot & lid

Engraved Copper pan (under $70)

*affiliate links

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French Country Fridays- The one that didn’t get away

Courtney — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Treasure hunts can often involve those treasures that got away.

Maybe you got there just a few minutes behind someone who snatched that perfect piece up already- but sometimes- that search pays off. And you find yourself the proud owner of the one that didn’t get away.
See more in my post here

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | Quick guide to creating a farmhouse fall look

Designthusiasm | Warm Autumn Decor Ideas for the Kitchen

Edith and Evelyn Vintage | How to Make Your Own Moss Pumpkins

French Country Cottage | The one that didn’t get away

Maison de Cinq | Fall Mantel in Shades of Burnished Copper

Shabbyfufu | Fall Centerpiece Ideas With Vegetables

The post French Country Fridays- The one that didn’t get away appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Tips for Collecting Vintage & the ‘triple love’ rule

Courtney — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:59:00 +0000

I get a little weak in the knees for vintage sometimes…

Things like a piece of furniture covered in chippy paint, old gilding and loads of patina, brassy golds and anything with character.

Those pieces that talk to you. The ones that tell the story and try to ‘woo’ you while you are shopping. That whisper sweet nothings in your ear while you are trying to sort through pieces and find the right one. That tell you that THEY ARE the one you are looking for.

So you take a closer look.

You notice that lovely brassy gilding and all that delicious patina.

The price? Leaves a bit to be desired – but isn’t that always how it is with those pieces that talk to you? So you decide to think about it.

But then just try to walk away from it.
You know what happens next. You grab it and bring it home.

I am always collecting- and wrestling with pieces that talk to me and make me weak in the knees.

Because, to be honest- A LOT of pieces talk to me. haha. And I fall in love at least a dozen times at flea market. So how do you sort through all of those loves? All the ‘weak in the knees’ and ‘must haves’…. and decide which ones are THE ones- and which ones are more likely to be just passing fancy type loves?

I have a method to my madness- but I will be honest…
it doesn’t always work.

Sometimes I DO bring home something that I scratch my head about later wondering what in the world I was thinking. It was cute when I found it. It had great lines, details, etc. but … it didn’t have staying power. Usually, it is something with a huge amount of ‘potential’ that I was envisioning it somewhere, somehow, looking a little different with a bit of ‘Love’.

I have learned to take an extra pause when it comes to things that speak that ‘potential’ language.

Though our house would be the biggest example of something that needed love and why you shouldn’t overlook that- so I guess I am kind of contradicting myself in some ways.

But that is a whole other subject… today it is a few tips for collecting vintage. Number one?

Collect what you love.

But that is everything right? haha. I hear you. My overflowing vintage china filled cupboards hear you.

So how about we start with simple tips. Because- I have a lot of tips for collecting that I will be sharing over the next month but really it starts with some pretty basic ones that are my top ones- starting with if you should even bring it home.

#1. Is it LOVE LOVE LOVE?

Yes, we just talked about this- but it is a number one.

I have a 3 love rule. I LOVE a lot of things. I even LOVE -LOVE a lot of things.

But they don’t come home with me.
It has to be heart pounding, sweaty palm ooey gooey almost borderline start of a panic attack level fear of leaving it behind kind of love. There isn’t even a question about if it is YOURS. IT IS.
And that is what I refer to as LOVE LOVE LOVE.

So if it is 3 loves and then some- it is basically almost in the car.
Next question is – is it a passing fancy or something that is hand me down quality- that you will enjoy for years?
Because, I have Love Love Love for a lot of things that my wallet does NOT feel the same about. haha. And if it is hand me down to my great granddaughter level love- has ticked another box.

#2. Decide how much you should spend

There is nothing wrong with collecting those passing fancy type items. They inspire us to see and use a space in a different way and it is FUN to redecorate all the time.

But those things that are not hand me down type items- that you might sell or donate in a few seasons or years- you don’t want to spend too much on.

It is common sense but I have seen too many people spend way too much on something for their room that they are selling 6 months later because they don’t love it anymore or it was just a passing fancy.
For starters- don’t follow a trend. Follow your heart.
And make sure that if it is more than your everyday not even thinking about it budget for vintage shopping- it has that staying power.

#3. Broken bits

A dilemma quite often. You fall in love with a piece that has damage. Broken or missing parts or is in need of a major overhaul to be usable.

This is a tough one- because sometimes those are 3 love items….
I know. I HAVE SOME WAITING TO BE FIXED EVEN NOW. haha. What I have learned is some of those 3 love items sit because to get them usable or fix them is

A LOT of work.

So where I once dragged home upholstered chairs in need of reupholstering, pieces that had chipping veneer and broken legs that just needed a bit of glue… (and a bracket, and 3 screws and possibly Gorilla Glue strength glue to tighten even after all that) I now pause and think about the work and ask myself if I want to commit to it.

Does the price justify the work- and possibly the price it will cost to fix something? If so- yes. If not- but it is still 3 loves… well that is a tough one.

I do even now bring home those wayward treasures that need fixing if it something like this marble fireplace mantel that was in 27 pieces.
A big yes.

So it really depends on the piece and project.

If you don’t want to or have the know-how to repair something you love- are you okay with parting with the cash to have someone do it for you? Questions that make you go ‘hmmmm’ but are good to ask BEFORE you bring another piece of misfit furniture home that might just sit.

#4. Upholstered pieces- often a ‘No’

Back to those upholstered pieces… these are usually a no for me- for the above reason.

I have put a mask and gloves on and tackled upholstered pieces before- but it is not easy to do and do right- and it involves a lot of sneezing and sniffling from dust and allergies. So generally- a ‘no’ from me unless they are a super easy job and something I cannot walk away from-
and that I know I would be willing to pay for someone to repair if I hit a snag.

But those upholstered pieces that speak my language that you can easily lysol and clean up and enjoy? Oh you know they are coming home with me.

#5. Pieces that need painting

Another pause usually. But this is a personal thing. I used to paint every piece of furniture that was damaged and thought it was an amazing way to make it fresh. And it is. But I also struggled with a lot of them- because I also always loved original so much more.

If it is a piece you love and it just needs paint- and you love the look of a freshly painted made over vintage piece- go for it. But if it is hours of chipping off veneer & sanding old lead based paint off and if it involves any kind of chemicals that eat through gloves and your fingers?
Those are a no personally.

I tend to stick to and prefer pieces with their original finishes- damaged or not. This fireplace was damaged enough that it did need a coat of paint to seal up the old horsehair plaster that was broken- but that was all that it needed. No repairs, chipping, peeling, etc. I used a milk based paint to keep it as vintage as possible- and the $100 it cost me for this antique beauty & $20 in paint- was well worth it.

#6. Patina and Character

I just bought a mirror that has a looking glass that is so mottled it is beyond mottled and there is not a whole lot of reflecting going on. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

I am all about that patina and character. The more the merrier. Chippy, mottled, raw wood, carvings filled with old paint, dings and dents and old damage- I love it all. And those mirrors that don’t have that crystal clear reflection- beyond love for them. They tell so many stories with that age.

So a tip here is to use those pieces that have more ‘character and patina’ to your bargaining advantage. Sometimes the things that speak the loudest to you are the ones that no one else appreciates- which means you can grab a steal.

#7. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE

Back to to the top. Because this truly is the most important tip and if you are only going to pay attention to one thing when shopping vintage- this is THE ONE to pay attention to.

If it gets a whole body response from you when you see it.
That heart pounding, sweating, running to pick it up feeling.
If it makes you nervous to walk away from it because you are worried someone else will grab it.
If you sigh and can’t even find the words to talk about how much you love it – but you just know it is THE ONE.

Well, it might be.

That 3 love rule has saved .me so many times. I LOVE a lot of things. Even LOVE LOVE a lot of them. But they aren’t always 3 Loves. And sometimes, for whatever reasons there might be something I am not sure of, something I am contemplating or something that takes away enough that I am pausing and thinking too long instead of saying ‘Sold!’
When it is that enthusiastic, no questions, no thoughts- it is GOING IN THE CAR NOW response- I go with it.

That thing that makes your knees weak is different for everyone- so pay attention to that response and it will absolutely help guide you to making the best purchases for you.

Stay tuned for those new to me vintage pieces that I just ordered (and that new antique mottled mirror) and where they will land.

For tips on shopping craigslist- you can find those here.

Happy Monday all.

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Cane chairs & Craigslist shopping tips

Courtney — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 19:45:00 +0000

It is the thrill of the vintage treasure hunt.

The boxes and bins and old garden sheds full of who knows what you are going to find when you start sorting through. Summer is prime flea market and garage sale season- and there are so many treasures just waiting to be found.

Shopping flea markets and yard sales for those elusive perfect treasures…
definitely addicting.
I have furnished quite a bit of our house and cottage with vintage – and quite a bit of vintage that was just a handful of dollars. I am definitely a bargain shopper- but I will pay more for something unique or that is a must have when I find it.

So what do you do when there are no yard sales or flea markets that week- or you just need something very specific for right now? You shop online sources- my favorite is craigslist.
And the other day when I was searching the ‘list’ for a few bistro chairs- I bumped into a listing for these.

A set of cane dining chairs & settee.

Something you might not know about me… I have a chair addiction. It is right up there with my addiction to flowers, all things chippy with old patina and history and anything and everything French.

My husband used to laugh at me for always finding a random chair somewhere that I ‘needed.’ and those chairs would be refashioned in the perfect fabric for the bedroom or living room.
And I have a huge soft spot for vintage cane chairs.
So yeah, I was emailing the seller.

When we got to their house to take a peek at them- I basically was already handing over the cash and loading them in the truck.

These are a few photos while grabbing them- they actually had cushions that were not so fabulous and sometimes if you have a bit of vision- you can see more of what something could look like with a few tweaks. I will share a detailed post about these chairs along with where they end up soon- but today I wanted to share a few of my tips for shopping online for vintage.

I tend to spend a bit of time perusing craigslist with coffee in hand in the morning. Though it is a little less exciting than rummaging through boxes in the middle of an old barn- it is thrilling even so.

What to search

I search broad things like ‘vintage’ ‘french’ ‘farmhouse’ ‘antique’ and if I am looking for something specific I search that as well. For these chairs- I searched ‘French vintage’ and they popped up.

And also search…

Other spellings, misspellings and ‘common’ names as well as unique. Do you know how many times I have found amazing pieces by searching the wrong spelling? A Fireplace ‘Mantel’ is a perfect example. A lot of people list it as a ‘Mantle’ which is something completely different. As well, less common names for something- the French cafe chairs I was looking for were ‘bentwood chairs’ some people call those ‘bendy’ wood chairs, curved wood or even just cafe chairs- though they would technically be ‘Thonet Bentwood Chairs’

What to ask the seller Before looking in person

I ask several things right away- are there any issues, broken pieces, age and history and has the item been stored in a smoke free environment.
If it has been in a smoke environment – it is an upholstered piece- that is a stop. Even wood pieces soak up that smell and residue but upholstered pieces are a pretty definite no.

If it has damage

Make sure you can use it or fix it as it is- or negotiate a price that works for getting it fixed- or walk away. Especially if it is furniture. Things like broken legs on a chair are not going to be a good thing if they are unable to be repaired. Even if it is just a ‘for looks’ chair- you don’t want to have to string a piece of caution tape across to keep guests from sitting in it. (total joke- but you know what I mean) So I avoid bringing home things that have issues that prevent them from being safe.

To Negotiate- or not

The question… to negotiate or not. It depends on several things. How much do Have to have the piece? Are you feeling good about the asking price- or are you feeling like it is a bit too high? I often will ask if the price is flexible ahead of seeing the item in person- and see what they say. In this case- they were happy to lower the price if I knew I wanted the chairs. I did- and so we had a deal before I had even seen them in person. Because, even with that fabric on them shown in the ad- I knew they were perfect.

A key to making sure you bring those treasures home with you- don’t wait to reply to the ad, don’t negotiate and then be a flake on picking them up and don’t offend the seller. If a price is off by a little bit- maybe decide to get over it or respectfully ask about their best price. If it is off by a TON- you run the risk of offending by low balling- in that case- I recommend expressing interest and then watching the ad to see if they drop the price.

I love the charm and character they have and we used them last week for a few quick photos right after picking them up. I will share more about where they land soon.

And if you have any other tips for shopping vintage- please share in the comments!
Happy treasure hunting!!

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French Cupboard & 4 things I look for when shopping for antiques

Courtney — Tue, 28 May 2019 18:36:00 +0000

Sometimes instant love just happens.

You meet ‘the one’ and fall in love in a second. It might be your partner, a new furry friend or even a place to call home… and it might also be a beautiful piece of furniture.

This antique cupboard had me at hello. I was actually not just browsing for fun when I found it. I was on a quest. A quest for something for a specific area of our home.

And my wish list was lofty.

I needed something for storage.

But that also looked incredible.

Something with lovely warm patina and carvings.

And a light wood finish.

Something that was stately and tall.

And wide.

But not too wide.

And something that had age and character.

That was French.

I know. It was a wish list that was likely to not be able to check every box off quickly.

But… my favorite source for French antiques was exactly perfect for finding that perfect fit.

I found this gorgeous piece at Eloquence. (look at the wheat carving on this door!!)

And honestly, when it arrived, we were just getting ready to leave for Europe so, we literally carried it in the house and plopped it against the chalkboard and I played just a bit and took a few quick phone snaps before heading off on our trip.

And since we are currently knee deep in painting inside and outside- I haven’t moved it to get it all styled and in place yet- but so many of you have messaged asking about seeing more of it- I thought I would share a quick peek and a few tips for shopping for antiques like this one.

Patina

When shopping for antiques-I am always on the hunt for a piece with patina. Whether that is chippy paint or a hand rubbed wood finish that comes with age and a piece being used over the years. I believe this piece is from the 1850’s ish – and it is what is known as a buffet deux corps- or cupboard with two parts. For me, the age of a piece has less to do with what I love than the patina. This cupboard has the most delicious bleached wood patina and wood graining that dances across it. And the carvings are pretty much basically insane.

Character

I don’t know if I have ever seen a piece with this amount of detail in the carvings in person before. The doors are covered in carvings. The drawer fronts are covered in carvings. The crown in covered in covered in carvings. Basically, carvings galore. For me, character- such as something that comes with carvings – is another thing I look for. It doesn’t have to have carvings to have character- just something unique and interesting to me that I feel brings ‘personality’ to a piece.

Beauty

I am always drawn to beautiful things- and I want our home to filled with beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder- so what is beautiful to me- may not appeal to you. That is okay. My biggest motto when decorating is that if you walk into a room and it makes you happy- it is perfect. So when shopping for something to bring home- and maybe it is the ugly duckling at the flea market- but to you it is a beautiful swan- you know it is the right piece.

Function

Okay okay, once we get past all that beauty, patina and character- when you are looking for an antique – you generally are looking for something that functions in one way or another.

Whether it is to merely bring beauty to a room- or it is for extra storage or even for using everyday like a chair or table. Whatever it is- it has to function for your needs.

This one obviously holds a ton of dishes, linens, treasures, etc. And it has 3 drawers that charm the socks off you while hiding all the extra stuff. Currently, this cupboard is empty just waiting to be moved and styled- and I cannot wait to fill it up with treasures.

It is most definitely love- all around over here and of course after wrapping a photo shoot – I placed all the bakery bits and dishes and candles on those shelves for a couple quick snaps to share – and I cannot wait to share more when this beauty gets into place and styled and is ready for a full debut.

What do you think of this? Would you have fallen head over heels for it too?

The post French Cupboard & 4 things I look for when shopping for antiques appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Inspiration- a Vintage Step Ladder in the bathroom

Courtney — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 19:16:00 +0000

I was minding my own business while at a book singing recently

when I bumped into something that had to come home with me.

It was one of those little treasures that I didn’t know I needed…

Which yes, that seems to be happening more and more these days.

haha.

This was a totally unexpected need though.

So I can’t really be blamed for my insane love of it instantly can I?

I am telling you

the silvered wood patina shouted to me

from across the room.

Not a whisper.

Not a sweet little ‘hey girl, come over here and take a look at me’

It was more like a

‘HELLO!! Yeah you!

Right here. Are you picking me up? ‘

And after looking around to see if anyone else heard that

I took a few steps and found myself replying…

to a step ladder.

I know.

It is a whole new level of crazy over here folks.

But just look at it.

Old paint.Split wood. Wonky not so level legs.

That little ladder back construction.

And the most ridiculously charming silvered patina.

So, I wasn’t just replying to a little old ladder or step stool- this was a special one.

Full of charm. Full of possibilities.

And yes, full of a little bit of an attitude too.

Well, as you can see.

It won.

I tried to argue with it.

I tried to explain that I just didn’t neeeeeed another little ladder or stool…

and I had nowhere to put it…

and as I mumbled I was like.

What am I even doing.

Of course it’s going in the bathroom.

It’s going to hold candles. Soap. A towel.

Or in the kitchen.

Or by a chair.

Or in the greenhouse.

Anywhere.

So basically- it went in my car.

And so that is how I met the little step ladder I didn’t know I was missing.

I brought it home, put it in the bathroom and absolutely love it here.

Best part- it is from my friend Sandy’s shop Tumbleweed & Co.

And I know it talked to her before it talked to me.

It is a chatty little thing.

What do you think?

Would have brought this cutie home too?

Incidentally, we are getting ready to refresh this bathroom again. New paint and trim- and some repairs around the tub and ceiling again. All.The.Rain. we have had in California has brought

a few leaks that we need to fix.

Fun. Fun. haha. At least the step ladder is looking cute doing it’s thing.

Happy Monday everyone.

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8 tips for shopping and scoring vintage Craigslist

Courtney — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:22:00 +0000

You know that moment.
When you are walking through a flea market
and you spot something in the corner of a booth just ahead.

Your palms start to get a little sweaty
Your heart starts to pound and your pace picks up just a bit
because in the corner of that booth just ahead
you found the treasure you have been searching for.

You may gently push past a couple folks in your frantic walk to get there and claim it before anyone else- it happens. And hey- I hear you. I have been there.
As you probably already know… I am a huge fan of vintage.

From flea markets and tag sales, to thrift stores to classified ads and craigslist.
And while the thrill of the hunt and the unknown treasure you might stumble upon at a flea market is an amazing day- sometimes you are looking for something specific that you haven’t bumped into yet-or you don’t have a flea market on the calendar anytime soon.
So you shop online. And one of my favorite spots to shop vintage online is Craigslist.
Some of my most favorite big time LOVE finds-
have been on Craigslist.

Like this incredible, absolutely perfect for my style
antique French daybed…

That HUGE antique pier mirror… I mean, I am obsessed. I have no shame.

That pair of victorian marble fireplaces

Serious love. I searched for those for several years- and then found a pair.

That fireplace in the cottage bedroom.
An absolute treasure.

And that french settee – I found this while we were in the middle of a rain storm and a renovation project and hopped in the car to go pick it up.
And this is kind of like the little settee that could-
as it made it onto the cover of my book.

And that is just a few of the treasures I have found shopping Craigslist-which in my opinion is a gold mine for vintage and antique treasures.

But something I am asked all the time is how do you find things? Just search the antique section?
Or what do you search?
Do you go pick them up on your own?

Do you pay full price?
How do you know it is a good deal?

All great questions and so today I am sharing a few tips for shopping and finding the best vintage out there.

#1. Search the right Keyword

First thing I do is get on Craigslist and start searching.

I don’t search in the ‘categories’ as much as I do with keywords. Just like when you Google something- you aren’t going to Google ‘antiques’ to see what comes up and hope you find that table you are looking for- you will google ‘antique table’ etc. to shop. So if you have an idea of what you are looking for- search that in addition to doing a broad overall category search for an item.

And don’t forget that oftentimes things are put into the wrong categories. Which is why a specific search is good.

#2. Search Vintage, Antique, Old, etc.

I tend to use ‘Vintage’ rather than antique. Most people thing of antiques as older than 1920’s-40’s ish and so use Vintage when describing something instead. To note- people brand something as ‘Vintage’ far more often – even things from the 90’s though so you have to be careful. I mean, I guess technically, something from 1990 might be considered Vintage to some- but that isn’t what most of us are looking for. And I like to search ‘Vintage’ ‘Antique’ ‘old ‘ etc. with the item attached.

(settee, cupboard, chest of drawers, etc.)

#3. Try alternate spellings

I have found some amazing treasures- based on the wrong spelling. For example- An antique fireplace mantel. I think at least 2 out of the 5 antique mantels that I have found on Craigslist were spelled as ‘Mantle’. So search other spellings too- you can find some treasures.

#4. Ask for details when replying

When I contact someone about an ad- I always ask for more details unless they are super explained in the post which is not generally the case.

Here are the things I want to know:

Are there any issues?

Broken seats, legs, missing parts, etc. All things to know before going to see something.

Age and history?

I personally like to know the age and history of a piece. Was it a family piece? Or where did it come from? How old is it? Etc.

Smoke Free environment?

I can get over a lot of issues with a piece- but if it has been in a smoking environment for years- probably not going to be able to get over that. If it is upholstered- a definite no go.

If wood furniture- possibly. I give it a much closer look than I ever did before because of one piece. That the big French beautiful armoire in the hall- gorgeous. I fell hard for it right away. And when I got it home and started cleaning- I discovered that odd smell was from smoke- and there actually a bit of old tobacco gunk in the grooves. I didn’t notice it right away until I was scraping the details and grooves to clean it up and it was enough to make me queasy.

#4. Is the price flexible?

Some things I don’t even negotiate on… I know, I should anyway,
but sometimes, the price is so more than fair.
A good friend of mine who is an antique dealer is a believer in respecting the seller and the price they are asking- and if it is reasonable- she pays it rather than make a low offer
because she doesn’t want to offend anyone.
Of course she does negotiate and you can get some great deals by negotiating- especially if something has been listed for over a week.

#5. Any issues are negotiating points

That said- any issues the piece has are negotiating points.
Don’t dismiss a piece because it needs a little tinkering.
If you have the ability to tinker with it and fix it or know someone who can- use that to your advantage. Just remember to negotiate with respect and not tell the seller their piece is crappy haha.

#6. Respond with leaving the door open

More than once I have been caught drooling on my keyboard over a piece.
But the price… can’t get around it.
And the seller wants more than I am willing to come up to and feel good about.

What do you do?

Leave the door open.

Let them know how much you love the piece and if anything changes with the price- to please let you know and leave your phone number.
If you don’t hear from them after a week or two-
email them again and let them know you are still interested.

I have actually gotten that piece that stole my heart for a price that was in the realm for me on several occasions after just waiting a bit.

#7. Know when to walk away

I know, quoting country music here- but sometimes those pieces are too damaged, too much work to bring into usability or a new piece that you could probably find less on sale somewhere.
Surprisingly- craigslist isn’t just vintage haha.
Of course – it isn’t- you can find allllll kinds of stuff there.
And sometimes- it is a new piece.
I have seen Restoration Hardware, Anthro etc on there- and sometimes those pieces are a steal- and sometimes- not so much.
You might see something you know you could get at the store for less.

So just move along and keep looking.

#8. Know your antiques

If you are looking for an antique armoire- know what to look for.
There are some AMAZING reproductions out there- and those are great to bring home too.
But if you are looking for a legitimate antique and someone is charging a legitimate antique price for something made 15 years ago- you need to know what you are looking at.
Do your research and learn what to look for- and what to recognize as newer.

#9. Safety First

Safety first ALWAYS.

Don’t hop in the car at 9pm at night by yourself to go see a must.have piece across town and someones house because it is an AMAZING DEAL and it CANNOT WAIT UNTIL MORNING.

That is NOT a good idea.

I grew up around law enforcement- my dad and his best friends were all law enforcement
(until my dad decided to go into real estate/building) and with my family in the ‘family’-
Safety always came up.
When I am looking at thing – I generally go with my husband

or a friend and meet during daylight hours. I have been known to meet at parking lots at a busy location as well. That is harder with furniture -unless you know you are going to buy it and they are willing to transport.

Other tips- Carry pepper spray and let someone else know the address of where you are going as well- just in case. Also, I don’t give out our address and have the seller deliver to the house but some people do that and feel okay about it. I am not one of them haha.

#10. HAVE FUN

Seriously. Shopping on Craigslist and at thrift stores is FUN.
The thrill of the hunt and then finding that piece that makes you swoon and knock 5 people over to claim as yours- well there is nothing like that when you are a junker at heart.
So have fun-peruse your search words often- or set up a search alert- yes- they will email you.
And consider shopping online for those treasures kind of like shopping a flea market.
Just in your jammies and fuzzy slippers on the sofa.

Hope this helps you find your next treasure!

The post 8 tips for shopping and scoring vintage Craigslist appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Details- all about this little vintage chest of drawers and where to find one

Courtney — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 22:50:00 +0000

Vintage. Dainty. Gold. Detailed and charming.

I am pretty much obsessed with Vintage Florentine furniture.

What is not to love?

When I saw this delicate detailed little beauty…

it was serious love.

From the dainty size

to the tiny little drawers with the tiny little knobs

to the delicate details on the fronts

sides

and top…

it is a charmer beyond charmer.

I have long been a fan of these cute little pieces.

Probably since seeing them in Rachel Ashwell’s books long ago

and when I bumped into one recently-

I was beyond excited to bring it home.

Something funny… I didn’t have a spot in mind for it.

The bedroom?

Yes.

The bathroom?

the living room as an end table, side table, by the french doors…

they are pretty much easy to tuck nearly anywhere.

But, it was one of those things and one of those times I remind myself that

if you love it- you will find a spot for it.

And I have found several perfect places.

I photographed in the living room recently for a photography project

and shared a few photos

and with so many questions on where to get them -here are some of the places

that I found them.

The Bella Cottage

Eloquence

Etsy

Ebay

I have also seen them pop up from time to time on Craigslist and in the classified ads

-and stay tuned for a post about my best tips for shopping Craigslist

and getting that piece you have been looking for coming your way later this week.

Happy Monday everyone.

The post Details- all about this little vintage chest of drawers and where to find one appeared first on French Country Cottage.

Vintage floral painted beds in the attic

Courtney — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 22:18:00 +0000

Sometimes you find an old vintage treasure just waiting to be discovered and fall in love. You can instantly imagine where it will go and how perfect it is for your space.

Like a beautiful vintage floral painted bed frame in the perfect size for a favorite room.

But it actually gets even better…

There were 2 of them.

A pair of matching bed frames.

Can you imagine how quickly I placed these into the cart? I fell pretty hard and pretty fast for these. I have an affinity for vintage painted pieces wearing their original paint and details. These beds had me at hello.

I was photographing these for a project for Bella Cottage last week-and while I set up and waited for some of the linens to dry and the sun to move a little past the window for the right lighting-
and snapped a few extra photos to share some details with you.

A couple things to note.

The walls are quite short on the sides- it is an attic room.

Which means, I can’t put big old tall headboards up here- though it is tall in the center- those charming ceilings slant pretty low on each side.

I wanted something vintage that had the same charm and feeling as the daybed that was up here before- but with more functionality. So either 1 bed in the center or ideally a pair of matching beds for each side of the window.

I happened to be browsing Eloquence one day and there was this beautiful painted bed frame with gorgeous vintage aqua color, painted flowers and carvings with pretty gilt.

And I was in love.

These are antique frames- which means they are not a standard size.
And yes, that can be a problem for mattresses.
They are wider than a twin- but not wide enough to be a full.

So, I found a mattress on Amazon that was the right size.

It is actually the size for an RV- 2 of them arrived in just a few days- and I have to say- they are actually pretty comfy.

I just ordered matching bedding for them so I will do an updated post when things are all in place- (and not in process of setting up like these photos) including more about that antique rug on the floor and another view that I haven’t shared yet.

And can we just talk about this bucket?

A delicious patina and perfect color mingle.

It is a vintage cutie as well.
I am also working on a couple posts about how to shop craigslist and find treasures- and the best tips I have gotten when shopping antiques. If you have any questions- leave them in the comments or email them to me and I will try to include them and answer.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.

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Antique Marble Fireplace Details

Courtney — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 04:53:00 +0000

It is all in the details…

and when it comes to an antique marble fireplace mantel and surround-

well, those details are pretty incredible.

Last week I shared the Christmas tree that is out in the cottage-

and a sneak peek of the antique fireplace mantel that we just installed.

You might remember this mantel from the summer.

It was a craigslist find along with another one – a 2 for 1 special if you will

and this one was in quite a few pieces as it had broken.

But… you know me.

I see a diamond in the rough…. even though it might look like coal.

And these were definitely diamonds in the rough…

Honestly, I wasn’t bothered in the least by the damage

and the many pieces it was in.

Number one- those cracks and bits and puzzle pieces back together are just patina and character to me.

And number two- these mantels already had my heart the first time

I saw them in all those pieces.

I knew they were treasures.

In order to put humpty dumpty back together again and get this mantel installed- we needed a backing. A piece of chunky board with an arch cut out was the ticket.

We used a glue of sorts that works on marble after using the usual marble tiling methods

didn’t hold those heavy pieces and…

cue another break.

You can see how even when puzzled back together- you can tell they are broken pieces

and we could fill the cracks in like when tiling- but I don’t mind the look.

After the front pieces were secure and dry in place-

my husband built the sides to create the ‘fireplace’ a fire box area

and a way to set the mantel slab on top.

Then the box was secured to the studs in the wall.

This is a faux fireplace in this room for now- though we are looking at adding a gas insert or building a chimney possibly.

And so the inside was bare as it was.

We used black to add depth and create more of a real fireplace look in the room.

I added birch logs, string lights and called it good.

You can read more about the ‘Before’ in this post

and stay tuned to see where the next one goes.

What do you think of it?

I am feeling like this gorgeous marble fireplace

is perfection.

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