Amazing MakeoversSearching for hidden treasures at the flea market can be overwhelming. It’s hard to see the gems among the clutter of lawn furniture and old housewares. But if you train your eye, you can spot a diamond in the rough. A pair of garden gnomes could make handsome bookends in your library. A wooden ladder can lean up against a wall as a set of chic shelves. Just think outside the box and get creative.
Tray Chic
Flea markets are brimming with great items for your coffee table. A wooden toolbox tray makes a handy remote control corral in an Old West living room. A gilded framed mirror gets new life as a magazine tray on an ottoman in a swanky parlor. Does your place double as the neighborhood movie house? A film reel canister is set for rerelease as a silver-screen serving tray. Just open it up and use the bottom half to serve picture-show-perfect popcorn. For a double feature of fun, use the other half of the tray for dessert. That’s a wrap!
A Swizzling Display
Love flea market shopping but don’t want to spend a bundle? Don’t have a mansion to fill with a dozen Wurlitzer jukeboxes? Then consider decorating with small, inexpensive items like matchbooks, knitting needles or political buttons. How to display these tiny treasures? Matchbooks look striking in a classic Ball jar. A collection of red and white fishing bobbers is a keeper in a goldfish bowl. Vintage swizzle sticks become a bouquet with a twist when placed in a neat bud vase. Cheers to that!
)
)
