One of my favorite places to shop is the Nashville Flea Market. I love to look for unique things for my clients as well as for myself! Many times when I tell friends or clients that I shop for home decor at the flea market, they respond with “Really? You find things there?”

I don’t just find things; I find treasures! When I first consult with a new client, finding out about their wants and needs, and particular decorating style is important and first priority. But, I always like to dig a little deeper. What are their interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes? What things do they already own and want to use in their design plans? How can I add to what they already own?

For example, I had one client that loved to take photos, loved antiques and things with history. I shopped the flea market and bought two different antique cameras, a vintage 8mm camera, as well as a vintage Kodak photo flasher. What did I do with these items? Well, they had two large bookshelves flanking their family room fireplace, and these items paired with things they already owned, made a really unique and interesting collection.

I found this cool old bench for a client who owns a log cabin. I covered the bench with real cowhide (yes, they sell that at the flea market), and painted the bench a pretty shade of blue to help it stand out on the cabin porch.

My husband did a great job integrating this galvanized bucket into the design of our ceiling fan!

So, is there a lot of junk at the flea market? You bet. But, if you are looking for flea market finds that you can turn into unique home decor items, here are my top 3 tips:

1.  Get to the flea market early! Unique and cool items go quickly!

2.  Shop the outdoor vendors first! Make sure you walk the entire outside perimeter of the flea market. 

3.  Although many flea market vendors now take credit cards, cash is still king.

Some of My Favorite Flea Market Finds:

   This is one of my favorite finds.  It is an old cable spool that I converted into an ottoman.  I paid $20 for the spool, made a round pillow for the top, and hello!  What a really cool ottoman for our bonus room!

This old metal lunchbox sits on our living room bookshelf.  What a story it could tell if it could only talk!  How many lunches did a sweet wife fix for her husband as he trailed off to work?

This cool table sits in my entryway.  I sanded the entire piece down, and then gently coated it with Tung Oil to bring out the natural wood tones.  I love the character this piece has, right down to the adorable key!

This old porch posts sit on a table behind my couch.  The chipped paint, the worn wood, I just love them.  I really love to accessorize with unique items.  Again, what stories these posts could probably tell!

A Cool Headboard Made From An Old Door

This headboard used to be an old door!  I paid $20 for the door.  My handy-dandy husband framed the door with wood molding.  Then, I applied a faux painting technique and whoop, whoop  – – a cool and inexpensive headboard!

Be careful. The flea market it addicting. You get to meet a lot of special and unique vendors. There is one in particular, that I look for every time. She is a sweet, sweet lady in her late 80’s, and she sells vintage linens. Her husband is a WW11 veteran, and comes and sits with her. The linens are washed and pressed to absolute perfection. (A lost art in my opinion). They both are full of joy and kindness, and they make my day just to have a moment to chat with them.

If you see me at the Nashville Flea Market, be sure to say “hello”.  I will be the blonde with a huge grin on my face, because I’m having a blast hunting for that next treasure.

  Link Party Fun!