The Flea Market Comes To You

The best of the best home decor from my online treasure hunt

If you’re traveling this summer around the U.S. or abroad, chances are you’re going to run into a flea market. IMHO it’s the BEST shopping out there. There’s that giddy anticipation upon laying your eyes on table after table chock full of interesting stuff. Sifting through dusty piles may be a lot of work, but it’s the most fun — and rewarding. Nothing compares to the thrill when you finally strike gold.

And it doesn’t stop there — I find the items I’ve brought home from flea markets become my most beloved — in part because they’re invariably so unique and special, and in part because I associate them with the memory of the place and the chase. These pieces truly have a story behind them.

QUESTION - what’s the best piece you’ve ever scored at a flea market? Share in comments. Mine are Horenzu bowls found at a flea market in London with my mom. I’ll always cherish the memory of that day.

Alas, the opportunity to visit a flea market sadly doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, so if you’re craving this experience like me, well, you’re in luck because today I’ve BROUGH THE FLEA MARKET TO YOU. I’ve scoured the Internet on sites like eBay, Etsy, Chairish, 1st Dibs, and more secret sources to find one-of-a-kind objects for your home. Every single piece is vintage or antique.

Happy hunting!

I’m thrilled you found your way to Singular, whether you’re new here or have been along for the ride. I hope you enjoy today’s free post. As a reminder, paid subscriptions support the love and care that go into creating this unique space. Another way to support is to like/comment, restack, or share with a friend.

In case you missed it…

10 Design Ideas to Create a Home That Feels Unmistakably You

Things that Add Character to Any Home

1. Framed oil painting. 2. Majolica pitcher with leaf & shell motif. 3. Metal & glass lantern. 4. MCM wood elephant lamp. 5. Metal vase in verdigris finish. 6. Portuguese bowl with fish. 7. Ceramic jug lamp. 8. Handmade garden quilt - how adorable is this for a kid’s room? Maybe hung on the wall. 9. Yellow faux bamboo mirror. 10. Alabaster “figs”.

UNDER $100 BOOTH - 1. Hungarian bowl. 2. Silver/glass apple & pear jam jars. 3. Italian painted butter dish. 4. 1960’s alabaster apple trio. 5. Metal palm tree candle holders. 6. MCM pagoda lamp. 7. Sterling silver bud vase. 8. Bubble bud vases - I collect these so I grab them whenever I spot them. 9. Marbled bowl. 10. Murano millefiore dish. 11. Spanish ceramic pitcher. 12. French floral bowl. 13. Colefax & Fowler book - I got this second hand as a gift for my mom, it’s a classic interiors book, just the cover alone! 14. Painted handcarved wood corbel. 15. Majolica shell dish. 16. Strawberry embroidered napkins.

1. Set of 6 Murano glasses - these are not as expensive as you’d think, such a rare find! 2. Lobe blue stem glasses - also available in clear glass. 3. Melon pitcher. 4. Art Deco teak & silver salad tongs. 5. Crystal hand-painted ice bucket - this reminds me of the work of Petra Palumbo which I’ve always coveted. 6. Set of 6 mother of pearl butter knives. 7. Wrought iron side table. 8. Silver serving platter. 9. A set of majolica seashell cup & saucer - I scored this gorgeous set I’m in awe of so passing along the find. 10. French pornic oyster plate. 11. 1960’s olive coupe glasses. 12. Bordallo Pinheiro serving dish. 13. Italian Faience tureen.

1. Dutch Delft tile. 2. Passata bowl. 3. Swedish kilim rug. 4. Mottahedeh yellow cachepot. 5. Hand-carved marble pear. 6. Pottery box with floral motif. 7. Staffordshire dog figurines. 8. MCM pink lamp. 9. Mid-century Swedish brass sconces. 10. Mid-century print by Andre Marchand. 11. Blue zebra print lamp shades.

Not going to lie, there are a number of pieces I’m considering so you better hurry to scoop up before I beat you!

And if you are lucky enough to stumble into flea markets IRL, I wrote a post with my tips for navigating flea markets over on my website. Tell me what you get because living vicariously though other people’s finds is the second best thing to finding treasures yourself.

x Melissa