Saturday’s Flea Marketing
Before I headed to Los Angeles for some work, I found myself with a day off and decided to spend it doing what I miss the most: rummaging through flea markets, antique stores and junk shops in Pennsylvania.
So, I rented an SUV (I know…but how else will I carry my stuff home?) and headed to Adamstown, PA for a few hours of sleuthing.
Above is a shot a giant warehouse full of nothing but amazing old wood piece: mantels, old bars, windows, tables, chairs…you name it! I thought I had discovered some out-of-the-way store that no one else really knew about, but I was wrong. Here's how I knew:
Hold for Ralph Lauren!
I was really on the hunt for an old bed for the new house, so I resisted temptation to buy up pieces that I liked. I really liked this old wooden chair with the wide unusual back. It just needs to be reupholstered (a nice hemp fabric would be cool).
At another store down the road, I found this antique cello or bass case in the back room. How cool is this? It had a lot of intricate stitch work and real wear and tear (which added to its charm). I have no idea what I could use this for, but I had to take a photo. How do you even price something like this?
Not everything is an antique. This Ball canning jar has been repurposed into a chicken waterer. Fill up the jar, insert the metal dish, and invert. It trickles out fresh water for chickens. I thought about getting this for the birds at the house, but I think I'll make my own.
And I loved these antique marble planters from France! Small is $65 and large is a bit more. How on Earth can you tell which is small and large? They look the same to me!
Hey Danny–
My officemate just told me she put a antique cabinet on hold at an Adamstown shop years ago. When she called to make delivery arrangements, she was told that someone from “Ralph Lauren in NY” offered to pay double the price for the cabinet – for use in a photo shoot. The shop owner didn’t budge. Now it is aptly referenced as the “Ralph Lauren cabinet” in her home!
Love your work!
Jan DiCintio
Mifflin ’87
Hey Danny! I try to read your blog every few days, and I’ve commented once or twice. Don’t beat yourself up over the SUV. The way I see it, you do so much good that I think you can be forgiven for a small bit of CO2. Also, before Jan’s comment, I would have thought that putting ‘Ralph Lauren’ on a hold tag was a clever marketing ploy by the store owner.
Have a great weekend!