The Object of My Desire: Fit for a Queen

All roads seem to be leading me to Paris this summer, even though I've solidly been on US soil for at least the last nine months. Not only have I devoured the book, The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, but I am also flying through My Live in France by Julia Child in anticipation of the film Julie & Julia's Friday release. To compound mon désir Parisien, I continue to be delightfully surprised by the French treasures that are plentiful in flea markets and thrift shops. One such specimen is this 1920s postcard I found recently in San Francisco of Marie Antoinette's bedroom at the Petit Trianon of the Versailles palace. This postcard shows the bedroom décor of a queen who had her king , Louis XVI, build just for her as a personal retreat just yards away from the royal residence.

The bedroom décor in the card was probably from the late 1800s, but you can see in the image to the right how it was updated during a recent and extensive re-do of the Petit Trianon, which reopened to guests last year.

While I was there in November, it was too late in the day to visit Marie-Antoinette's on-site getaway, but I did take in the controversial Jeff Koons exhibit that was installed throughout the rooms and the grounds of Versailles. I can understand how people might be disappointed to see Versailles taken over by Koons's contemporary work, but it was also an opportunity to see the centuries-old palace literally reflected in a different light.

While impossible to miss his in-your-face installations like the hanging lobster in the Salon de Mars or a porcelain sculpture of Michael Jackson and Bubbles, I walked right by this bouquet of flowers that was perched in Marie Antoinette's big-house bedroom.

It has a semi-naughty name that's not safe for family reading, so I'll retranslate it into "140 jerks," a term I'm sure could have described some among the the royal court who used to hover around the queen's presence almost 24 hours a day.

For more décor sure to keep your mind wandering, pick up The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Powell's.

Amusez-vous! Et à la prochaine!

The Elegant Thrifter

Always Frugal, Always Fabulous!

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The Find: Fab Flea Marketing

Yasmine McGrane's work is featured on the cover of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details -- and gorgeously photographed by Jim Franco.

Yasmine is known as one of the best flea market shoppers in the country. And among her favorite pastimes is hitting the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire in Alameda, Ca., looking for antiques, whimsical accessories and taking in the thrill of the gorgeous outdoor market. The owner of Maison Reve, a suburban country home that encourages creativity, is always on the hunt for antiques (not reproductions!), old doors, French metal garden chairs, and any other whimsical items, be-it a wagon load of Christmas balls or a dainty feathered tree.

In fact, she’s been known to re-arrange important affairs just to make it to her favorite destination, and even considered missing a friend’s wedding when the dates collided. Let’s just say that she decided to skip the flea market – but just that one time!

McGrane is an expert at getting the best deals at flea markets. She suggest arriving early for the best selection, or later for the best deals. Always carry cash, and make sure that whatever your buy will fit into your car or your home, for that matter. She takes a trolley with her so that she can easily zip through vendors’ stalls, and always wears her favorite Wellie boots to keep her feet all toasty and dry on those early morning treasure hunts.

With an itch for a flea – The Elegant Thrifter, Always Frugal, Always Fabulous!

For more pictures of Yasmine's amazing work, pick upThe Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Powell's.

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Sublime Sundays: Virtual Flea Marketing

As the weather warms, I love nothing more than taking a stroll through a bustling flea market, full of fanciful wares that spark the imagination.

This morning, I took a virtual trip  to Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire in Northern California, known all over as one of the best flea markets in the country.

 I had a few "ah!" moments flipping through the photos on the Web site, and am sharing a couple here. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. 

Pick up my book, The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Powell's.

Always Frugal, Always Fabulous!

The Elegant Thrifter

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