Some of you may have heard about my shipping dilemma from California to North Carolina.
How I got my French Market Basket home from across the country.
Well today, I want to show you Where it all Began {French Antique Shops}.
The two cutest French Antique and Vintage shops were side by side on a downtown corner
in Calistoga, California. The window displays caught my eye.
In-between the two shops was a courtyard where the ever so cute goat cart stood.
The first shop that I went into was the Lincoln Street Market.
This shop is where I purchased my French vintage rolling basket, canning jars,
and one more thing . . . that you will see later in another post.
It is actually in one of these photos.
Can you guess what it is?
No, it is not this cute vintage iron daybed.
Or the pretties in the corner…
This shop had many vintage French canning jars with the vintage labels
both in clear and green colored glass.
Do you ever take photos and later discover something in the photo that you did not notice?
Something in the background . . . I have . . . so many times. Like a ironstone tureen
tucked in the corner of the cabinet in the background. How did I miss that?!!
And here is my basket!
Next door was a French Antique shop with an amazing collection of beautiful French antiques.
The owner gave me his card, but I noticed later that it just had his name on it and
not the shop . . . so I am not able to give you the name of it.
The shop had it all. From fine furniture to French farmhouse style.
This French farmhouse table stopped me in my tracks!
There was also an abundance of beautiful French copper pots.
Wonderful chairs and settees were abundant there.
Oh how I would have loved this chaise!
The gentleman who owned the shop was extremely friendly and knowledgable.
Isn’t it always the case . . . you find something that you have been searching for
and is a relatively good price (larger pieces like tables, etc)
and you are not able to transport it home.
I always have to refer to that saying, “it wasn’t meant to be!”
But it was fun browsing and seeing beautiful things.
Speaking of beautiful ….. I wish you all a most beautiful day!!
I will be planning and preparing for our Neighborhood Coffee at my house this week.
Oh, all those beautiful goodies and they are across the country! While you are describing furniture I’m eyeballing the lamps. I am always drawn to lamps. Sorry you missed the tureen. 🙁
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Oh my goodness, can I please just have the iron bed? That’s a dream piece for me!
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I love the toile upholstery on the furniture pieces (and the furniture pieces!).Yes, it seems to always be that way….traveling, and being inspired with all that you can’t take with you. All those cabinets! (love that painted one, and of course, it’s blue, of which I have little to none of), plate rack love, and European grain sacks in stacks upon stacks….!
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It must have been hard to not walk out with an armful there! Your market basket find is a gem. Too bad shipping is so costly these days- takes all the fun out of buying things like that settee. I like that black clock!
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My goodness, what a wonderful shop! I can see I could have easily gotten lost in such a place. There are many items I would have had a hard time leaving behind. Your market basket is a treasure, even if you did have to work for it – memories!
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Shirley, what a wonderful time you must of had shopping in those beautiful shops. I spied several pretties! I can’t wait to see what else you bought! Enjoy your day!!!
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Oh my…pretty things! I don’t travel as much now by airplane because I want to be able to purchase stuff. I know cross country is a long drive though. It’s irritating that shipping costs more than your merchandise! I’m glad you got your French basket! Have a Beautiful Day!
I would love to shop in those shops! Did you bring home the blue enamel pitcher?
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Shirley,
What beautiful eye candy! I know we have talked before about our passion for visiting vintage and antique shops while traveling. Not always, but many times I find I get better prices if a shop owner or dealer carries an array of different styles and periods. However, it is more difficult scouting through a shop or booth looking for something say strictly mid-century or French but sometimes its worth the work. On the other hand, when you visit a shop strictly adhering to one style your selection is much greater such as in the shops you visited on our trip.
Enjoy your new French basket…it looks lovely in its new home!
Everything you pointed out was terrific…and even some things you didn’t. My general rule of thumb….take a road trip where and whenever possible! Just tell hubby you need to go back with a trailer this time…lol. Enjoy your day! 😉
I am having serious French shop love right now. So many beautiful pieces. That’s the sad part about traveling far from home, because I ALWAYS find something I love, something too large to even fit in our car, and then leave disappointed. I probably shouldn’t even go antique shopping far from home, but I know that’s not going to happen–don’t have THAT much willpower. Can’t wait to see your new prettie. Hugs!
I am guessing you bought either the blue enamel pitcher or some copper piece…or 2! What great shops! I wish we had something like them near us. Hope you are having a beautiful day. I went to the grocery and have to go to another later as they didn’t have everything I need. It is still cold here but going to 70 by Friday!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO HOO!
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Lovely lovely lovely! When I see fantastic finds I know I can’t transport I tuck the ideas away and am ready to pounce if and when I see it closer to home!
What great French shops! I am also guessing that you bought the blue enamel pitcher. I can just see it filled with one of your beautiful flower arrangements!
Shirley yrs. ago we were out of state and I found this cabinet I knew it would fit in my kitchen. We had a small hatch back car. In the parking lot we began to unload the car to fit it in. A guy came up to us and offered to put it in his truck and take it to our home. When I shared what state we lived in that changed the plans LOL Got home and the cabinet fit great for several yrs. before we remodeled and I gave it to my sister………….
Shirley, what gorgeous vintage and antique pieces. I can’t wait to see what you purchased. I have found so many wonderful things that were impossible to get home. Like you, I had to decide it wasn’t meant to be. How nice that your are hosting c9ffee this week, I know it will be presented ina lovely way!
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So much eye candy and temptation, too bad you were traveling by UHaul. 🙂 I’m guessing that enamel pitcher came home with you! Enjoy your coffee, I know your neighbors will enjoy your house/hospitality. ♥
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My mom lives in the hills of Calistoga and I am about 40 minutes away! I am chomping at the bit to get to these stores. I hadn’t noticed them before! I believe they’re across the street from one I enjoy, but they’ve always been closed. Or, they’ve updated. I can’t travel too far away from home just now, but my mom and I have a date just as soon as I get a green light. We also love that you came and enjoyed the beauty that remains even after the devastating fires. So happy people are visiting and shopping! And happy you bought that little piece…..or else I may have had to! I think it’s a wonderful little investment and well worth the extra unforeseen costs.
If my guess is correct, that blue enamel pitcher looks nice in your home too…..