Decorate your home with ‘junktiquing’




 

 


On any given Sunday morning, head to one of the many local flea markets. There you’ll find hundreds of people armed with cash, coffee and a determination to find hidden treasure–treasure in the form of junk, that is. I like to call it “trash to treasure,” or “junktiquing.”

You may not know what you’re looking for, but once the hunt begins, you’ll know it when you see it. You’ll get a feeling and be drawn to an item. It can be anything: an old piece of baseboard molding, a corbel from an old house, a chipped wooden toolbox. You just never know. For me, the more chipping paint the better. Buy what you love.

When people walk into my house, they’re amazed at the quality of dcor that results just from using good junk. They assume that I used a professional decorator or spent a fortune. I did neither. You can get fabulous chic and shabby furniture at great prices, if you’re willing to add some elbow grease, paint and ingenuity. Have an open mind. Think

about how to use something in a totally different way from what it was meant for. This is called repurposing. For example, I used that old piece of baseboard molding, added a couple of antique corbels, hung it up above my kitchen window and–voil!-a valance. This window valance is one of a kind and cost less than $35.

For a mere $5, I purchased an old green wooden toolbox that I turned into a unique planter for the garden. Start small: Use an old silver-plated cream pitcher as a vase or a couple of wooden balusters as candleholders.

Junktiquing tips

+Start early. Most sellers open at 9 a.m. but some will let you in as early as 6 a.m. for an extra charge. It’s worth the extra money to find that diamond in the rough.

+Have cash. Some dealers will take checks, but all prefer cash. +Wear layers. +Wear sunscreen.

+Bring a water bottle or two.

+Bring a snack. Sometimes the food available is both expensive and unsatisfactory.

+When bargaining, be diplomatic. Ask the seller, “Is this your best price?” Never insult their items or prices.

+Bring the biggest car that you have.

+If you like it, buy it, because it will not be there later. Trust me, I know.

Have fun and happy hunting!

The following is a list of some local flea markets:

+Seaside Park, Ventura (several times a year)

+Rose Bowl, Pasadena (every second Sunday of the month)

+Pasadena City College (every first Sunday of the month)

+Santa Monica Airport (every fourth and fifth Sunday of the month)

+Veterans Stadium, Long Beach (every third Sunday of the month)

These are just a few. For more, Google “flea markets in Southern California.”

Rosemary Olson is a self-pro- claimed flea market and decorat- ing fanatic. She lives in Newbury Park.

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