If you ask me, browsing a flea market‘s never-ending stalls and hunting for antique treasures is an A+ way to fill an afternoon.
The last time I checked out a new-to-me flea market was earlier this year, during a trip to Los Angeles. My friend and I paid the flea market’s admission fee, excited to spend hours upon hours perusing vintage jewelry and antique home decor items. However, temperatures were more than 90 degrees, the sun was blazing overhead at full force and we were both overdressed for the scorching weather, so we didn’t last more than an hour. Womp-womp.
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Luckily, my friend and I each found a few fun items before we fled the sprawling flea market in pursuit of air conditioning. But with that experience behind me, I’ve been looking forward to some fall flea market shopping, as the lovely autumnal temperatures are perfect for spending a day outside. That being said, what are the best items to look for at flea markets in November?
To find out, we spoke with Olivia Martin, Interior Designer at Berberorugs, and Anna Reinhard, an interior designer and the founder of Anna Reinhard Interiors.
Below, the two designers share a few of the items they’ll personally be looking for at flea markets this November, as well as a handful of their best tips for a successful flea market trip!
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Why November Is a Great Time to Shop at Flea Markets
“November can be a popular month for flea market shopping,” Reinhard tells Parade. “It’s slightly less crowded than December as it’s a bit farther out from the holiday season.” Plus, depending on where you live, the weather is likely pretty mild in November, meaning spending a few hours browsing an outdoor flea market is more bearable than it would be on a snowy December day.
“It’s a great time to really dig into what your vendors are offering, negotiate as it makes sense and try to stock up on unique finds and housewares for the cozy months,” she adds.
Martin agrees, noting that November is a good month to start collecting cozy items for the holiday season. “With the holidays just around the corner, I really enjoy finding items that can enhance the warmth and welcoming aspect of a home,” she says.
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7 Items Interior Designers Are Hunting for at Flea Markets This November
1. Jacquard blankets
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“I am completely obsessed with antique… Americana-inspired textiles right now,” Reinhard says, speaking about vintage jacquard blankets. “They add amazing geometric patterns and color to the back of a sofa or the arm of a lounge chair and feel both classic and current.”
Plus, now is a great time to find them at flea markets. “Many vendors hold back thicker blankets or textiles until the cooler months so November is an especially good time to source these,” per Reinhard.
2. Rugs
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“I love vintage rugs because they give color, texture and character to [any] room,” says Martin. She adds that November is “the perfect time to find one for a cozy winter season.”
3. Candlestick holders
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“A vintage candlestick holder is one of my all-time favorite styling accessories,” Reinhard says. “November is a great time to source these as we head into the darker, gloomier months.”
Reinhard adds that an antique candlestick holder can “offer height when styled on a coffee table with books or shape to an otherwise angular fireplace.” Plus, lit candlesticks “give a warm glow in a space that can’t be duplicated.”
Martin agrees, adding that she’ll be looking for a set of brass candlestick holders at flea markets this November.
“I love [brass candlestick holders] because they’re easy candlesticks to add a warm and classic element,” she says. “They are particularly lovely during November when I think about cosy evenings and table settings for the holidays.”
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4. Wooden furniture
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“I am always on the lookout for old side tables, stools and cabinets,” says Martin. “They have a charm you do not get with brand new furniture, and they’re perfect for freshening up a room prior to the holidays.”
5. Pewter servingware
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Reinhard loves silver-toned pewter servingware for the winter.
“Move over brass, pewter is beautiful too! As a switch up from the traditional porcelain, stoneware and brass servingware, pewter can feel a touch more fancy and unexpected,” explains Reinhard. “As November ushers in the holiday hosting season, it’s a great time to snag a nickel platter or coupe-shaped glass for things like nuts and olives.”
6. Holiday decorations
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“November is a prime time to sniff out some vintage-inspired holiday decorations,” Reinhard says. Some holiday decor she’ll be looking for this fall include vintage glass Christmas tree ornaments, bottle-brush Christmas trees and “old-school” incandescent string lights.
“Many vendors bring out their holiday decorations in early November, so there will be a plethora of vintage options to take your pick from!” she says.
7. Old prints and vintage frames
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“I love old prints, and I love frames that are not the standard style,” Martin says, explaining that an antique frame can give a room more “character.” She also thinks a vintage print in an antique frame can make a fantastic holiday present for a loved one—so long as it goes with their home’s interior design style!
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5 Designer-Approved Shopping Tips for Flea Markets
1. Don’t worry too much about signs of wear
If you come across a secondhand piece you love, but the item is worn or slightly damaged, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it. In fact, the item’s flaws make it all the more unique.
“Do not snap something up because it is a little worn,” says Martin. “I do not automatically turn my nose up at something just because it is slightly worn down.”
2. Scan an entire booth before picking up items
When you’re walking around a flea market, Reinhard recommends “doing one large scan of a single booth or vendor area at first. Just try to take a cursory glance to check out what their vibe is and if anything immediately stands out.”
After you glance around, then you can “get up close and try to focus on one small section, or shelf or table at a time. This allows you to really see what they have to offer.”
3. Write down your home’s dimensions before you go
Before you head to a flea market, Martin advises measuring rooms and nooks that you’re looking to furnish. Having these dimensions written down or stored in your phone “helps prevent purchasing a beautiful item that ends up being too large or too small for the area,” she says.
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4. Look through booths thoroughly
“Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty!” says Reinhard. “Move things out of the way (carefully of course) [and] bend down and check out the lower shelves.” You just might find a true hidden gem!
5. Inspect items closely for significant damage
“Before purchasing, look with a keen eye for any damage,” advises Martin. “I always inspect, particularly with rugs and wooden furniture.”
Reinhard has similar advice. “Run your hand across the ceramic vase to ensure it doesn’t have any worrisome chips or cracks and unfold the linen napkins or wool blanket so you can get the full picture of the piece.”
She adds that a thorough inspection can help you “hone in on what you’re drawn to and ensure it’s in good shape before buying it!”
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Sources:
Olivia Martin, Interior Designer at Berberorugs Anna Reinhard, an interior designer and the founder of Anna Reinhard InteriorsHence then, the article about 7 vintage finds interior designers are hunting for at flea markets this november was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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