Some of the Weird Things I Bought Recently at the Flea Market (Pet Screws??)

A few weeks ago, I went to the Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique Market which I hadn’t been to in YEARS, mostly because Santa Monica is 20 miles away which is 2 hours in LA time. But it used to be curated and high end (and often expensive) but good. It’s changed, but I did find some things I brought home with me (you’ll see those—and others—here). Then I headed over to The Mart Collective antique mall in Venice (which is definitely curated, high end BUT SO GOOD) and snagged a few more things.

I’ve never been known to walk past a leather piggy bank. This time it’s a bull, I believe, but it’s a necessary accessory in anyone’s life.

It’s about six inches wide and so, so cute for either the kids or a styling “moment” on a bookshelf. You can’t tell from the photos, but the little brass lock on the back of the bull is actually a heart (and isn’t really a lock more than it just keeps the thing together).

Also, a “Pet Screw” makes me laugh. It’s the kind of “weird” that I used to buy before I thought I had to be more sophisticated and stopped buying things with a sense of humor. Growing up can be a dick.

And the blue bud vase is just the right size for setting atop a stack of pretty books or on its own on a console. It’s a lot shinier than it looks in these photos, which is actually a nice contrast to the exposed raw clay where the glaze didn’t reach.

I’m OBSESSED with that black pepper grinder—that’s right, the black ring twists and out comes your artisanal pepper. And that little covered dish might be for salt or jewelry on a nightstand. I don’t know it’s just a special little thing that I couldn’t pass up (there is carving up there). The pot was cheap ($7) and far more special than an average plant pot so I had to get it. I should call it a plant casket, more like because that delicate maidenhair fern will be lucky to survive through the spring (I’ll try, I promise).

That old man painting is SO GOOD. He’s in my color palette, but still whimsical and weird. We threw him in that frame but I miss seeing the texture of the paint so I’ll likely get him framed without glass (might do a DIY frame just on the sides of the board). He was NOT cheap, by the way ($125), but I so rarely find portraits that I think can be mixed into this house color-wise so I splurged.

Then we have what is clearly more of a theme today—three covered carved wood round boxes, but they are SO special and pretty and just GREAT styling props. We are shooting the book right now so we need extra props and these are great on nightstands, entries, coffee table, desks (though I’d say not all together to make them feel that much more special). The low flat one even has a mirror on top. It’s so sweet (and such a great gift).

The pouf is also a find. Part of the leather is damaged (it’s turned away from the camera so you won’t see that) but I don’t know…it gives it character. We talked about getting it repaired, but we also talked about just leaving it be/ripping off the tattered leather. That’s probably what we’ll do, to be honest, but I have a soft spot for tattered leather ottomans and will never say no until I’m drowning in a room full of tattered leather ottomans (stay tuned, though…I might be willing to part with this one soon. Keep an eye on my Instagram).

A tray and ANOTHER covered dish (it’s different I promise) are up in the bathroom right now. And yes, you can use an old perfume bottle for your Q-Tips. I’d doubt you’d get arrested.

If you guys are in LA and want some good vintage, this weekend is Downtown Modernism and it’s GREAT. I’ll be there early, probably out of there by 10 am but if you see me please say hi, but please don’t take my good stuff.