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[blank]Day 4 of my client’s buying week, and the biggest day yet. Twelve hours on the road ….today we bought in yards, we bought in agricultural barns, we bought in pretty stores and rose filled gardens, and we bought in dusty antique stores.
What is sure is that we stayed well off the beaten track, and that my guest is getting a privileged view of France, as no tourist ever sees it. France of green fields and picturesque villages, but also the behind the scenes views as doors open up to us, and we are welcomed with smiles by vendors who are of course pleased to see a good client, but also who are happy to share their passion for antiques, treasures and beautiful furniture.[blank]
[blank]Our most unusual purchases today? A 4 metre long counter from a drapers store, and a charming 19th century horse drawn sleigh.
Today is our last day in Normandy before we return to Paris tomorrow to hit the flea markets and stay once again in one of the capitals most elegant palaces …. ah oui, sometimes antique shopping can be serious fun!
Once my client has left France and is winging her way back to the other side of the world, I’ll still have plenty to do as I liaise with the shippers and make sure that all her purchases are properly protected as the are taken away to her container.
happy, busy days …..![blank]
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23 comments
Oh, how do I envy you for that trip. Wonderful
treasures you have found.
Amazing…
very beautiful!
Ah, looks and sounds like heaven! I love the blue transferware with the birds on it. What is the building in the first picture?
Beignets and Hollyhocks. 🙂
You can't imagine how much I'd like to be with you now!
Next time I'll come with you.
Have a wonderful brocante trip.
Bisou, Babi
I am so enjoying all of your photos, it makes me feel like I am there enjoying it all too. Hugs, marty
Everything looks fabulous. I did see a painter's case I would love. What delightful pictures.
Oh ik geniet steeds van je foto's en verhalen. Dank je wel!!!!
So beautifull !!! I love all of your blog. Ciao dall'Italia…Liana
restauroerestyling.blogspot.com
Sad that so many beautiful things are leaving their homeland though.
Wonderfull day ! lovely place ! fantastic shopping !
This is a trip that many of us can only dream of. Thank you so much for taking us along!
What great stuff! and there is nothing like a good morning or afternoon tea to keep up your strength.
Quelle belle aventure! Fabuleux paysages.
Great pictures, it's like being right there and shopping along. Love the green and white tureen, pictured just above the refreshments tray. Want.
Bonjour,
Etant absente des blogs ces derniers jours, je viens de faire vos quatre jours en une fois ! J'y ai aperçu des petites choses sympathiques… et la sensation que vous passiez d'agréables moments… Le soleil brille en plus ! alors tout est fabuleux !
Gros bisous à vous
The chateau in ruins. How sad someone isn't fixing it up. Maybe it's too far gone and too many restrictions.
I love the ruined chateau, sad as it is. But I especially love the beignets and coffee!
Please, tell us something about the forlorn looking chateau, second picture from the top in today's blog. What is the history? What does that little blue sign say, out in front? Sigh….you must be our eyes, ears and of course our storyteller for those of us not there….
Ah, I've wondered how it goes when you conclude a buying trip and how all of those treasures get to the buyer's destination…sounds like you have involvement right to the end of it, with the loading of a shipping container, getting everything ready for the journey to a new home. What an endeavor but how lucky for a buyer to find you! It must take a lot of detailed arranging, to buy a large item and either take it with you on the spot, depending on your vehicle, or arrange to have it delivered to your gathering point where all the purchases are being collected in one place. Much loading and unloading. It seems to be a life of the very wealthy but great items deserve to be in museums or great houses and private collections where they can be properly preserved and restored. I just have fun sort of visualizing the whole process. I recall reading about the American newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, who built a rather ostentatious but magnificent "castle" here in San Simeon, California/USA in the earlier part of the 20th century and how he'd amass incredible antiques from all over the world, such as entire mosaic floors or carved/painted ceilings (I assume from other castles in Europe, cathedrals, etc.); how they'd be warehoused, then shipped from overseas (I think he built a pier solely to receive these goods by ship; his castle is on a bluff overlooking the sea). It was quite a feat back in the day to haul all of this stuff up the craggy cliffs to the building site. It must be so satisfying to your buyers to find the coveted goods with you, wait for their arrival, get them put into place…then enjoy them as part of their homes. It did strike me as poignant, though, when another reader had the comment about French treasures leaving France…
OMG this post Is SO Amazing:) beautiful pictures.
Check out my blog If you want to see a lovely Swedish Country style home:)
have a wonderful week dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
Your posts are AMAZING:) and they make me smile everytime I visit in here.
Check out my blog….If you want to see a beautiful Swedish country styled house:)
have a great week dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)