Speaking of return, Tom and I are back from a buying trip abroad. There are antique mirrors, garden items, French paintings, Continental and Swedish furniture, decorative goods and a few surprises coming in April / May. So please start making room ๐
I couldn’t resist bringing a few “smalls” back in our luggage. Though fine furnishings will always be admired, it’s the smalls that speak to me. I love handling each object as well as learning about it. Tabletop vignettes, seasonal garden flowers in a favorite vessel, a gallery wall of collected art – those are just a few ways to tell a story with accessories. What is the difference between a beautifully decorated hotel room and a thoughtfully appointed home? The lack of personal accessories.
Before I share my little treasures, let’s properly welcome spring with a stroll through the Parisian Marche aux Fleurs on the Ile de la Cite. This petite bijou, located near Notre Dame Cathedral, is the oldest flower market in Paris – it was founded in the early 1800s.
Here is a charming 19th century French oil on board still-life painting of cherries. Including the frame, the dimensions are 9″ w x 6.5″ h. I love the casual look of it propped on the wall between the American gilded oval mirror and French cherry desk with boxwood trim. Placed on a surface, the painting can be easily picked up and admired.
Also in this vignette is a 19th century English Sheffield loving cup polished down to the copper base – the silver plating is long gone. The cup has been well loved and, with its dings, proudly shows it. This treasure would have held posies from the garden of its mistress; today it is graced with hellebores from mine. I absolutely adore the handles terminating in sweet hearts.
Another small French oil on board painting. This still-life of apples was painted by a listed artist. Wouldn’t it be lovely leaning on a kitchen counter or in front of books on a shelf?
Next to the painting is a pair of early alabaster vases (4″ high).
The tray holds thoughtful notes, thank you cards, and invitations from friends of Tone on Tone. I have a stack going back 10 years – many thanks!
I wonder where this architectural finial came from – perhaps atop a fence post?
I’ve styled this Ca 1850s desk and Ca 1760s chair, both Swedish, to suggest a gardener has just slipped away. Gathered on the desk is a myrtle topiary, botanical book, collection of mini pine cones, and a stunning faience dove.
And there is a beautiful little courting mirror from the mid 1800s. The oval form is accentuated with a pie crust edge.
Next is an 18th century tapestry fragment. With the antique frame, it measures 4.5″ x 5.” Simply darling!
Antique children’s furniture is a personal passion of mine. I appreciate all the attention that goes into making these small scaled pieces.
Loi
Lovely post! Just adore the tobacco box! Cheers to spring!
Thank you, Donna! I hope spring comes soon – still a bit dreary in DC.
Love the child's chair and the loving cup that has lost its silver plating. I grow hellebores in my garden, too!
Kind regards,
Kathleen at A Flippen Life
Hello Kathleen – Welcome to my blog. Thanks for your visit and note ๐
Loi, you've outdone yourself on this trip. All your finds are delightful and so fine and charming. The dove is lovely but that finial had me at hello and that great silver tray (the square is so unusual, isn't it?) is fab. And I love the sheffield cup with the hellebores (my favorite flower). I want them all! How do you part with things? Xo Terri
I'd love to keep it all but…..well, I can't afford to ๐ Thanks, Terri
Oh Loi, Thank you for nudging spring aolng with your beautiful Paris floral marketing. Such beauty inspires the best in floral designs aolng with the beautiful history.
Your new design pieces here in your shop are all so wonderful, there is not a piece I would not turn down, and I cannot decide what piece I love best. I do love the grey painted Swedish desk, and the landscape painting shown best in the first photo. I look so forward to a new post from you and all the wonderful inspiration you pass on.
See you soon dear,
Happy Spring to you and yours.
Xx
Dore
so many great finds- i am loving that framed tapestry piece as well as the copper loving cup! and i admit i didn't know what a loving cup was, but i dig that term. ๐
Such gorgeous things….and those flowers!! I am with you so excited to embrace and welcome spring, its been a loooong winter. Seeing all of your new treasures is like a breath of fresh crisp spring air!
Loi, I have a thing for antique children's chairs too. I have several Victorian era rocking chairs but my favorite is the late 18th-early 19 century French child's chair. I love the two you have.
Wow! we visited flower market in Paris and enjoyed so many little antique items from the world, thank you. I love your phrase, "What is the difference between a beautifully decorated hotel room and a thoughtfully appointed home?" This is so true ๐
Best wishes, have a great spring.
I collected little people chairs for years…………….
I agree with you about a hotel room and a HOME.
Did you get my IN message to you about the TOPIARY SHOES?
Sounds like a wonderful trip and BOY did I spy that old portrait stuffed in with the flowers!!!!!!!!!!OMG!STUNNING!
Come visit me for what to do with an old TEA SET!
Oh, I didn't get your message. It didn't come to my gmail. Sorry about that. Will pop over and see what you've been up to!
Well dear Loi – I'm still planning to arrive next weekend BUT, seeing all these absolutely gorgeous antique items is a bit scary as I would love to bring a huge shopping bag and bring them ALL home. . . . . . especially the dove, the cherry painting, the finial, the magnifying glass, and of course all the stunning furniture!
Sounds like the trip went really well – will a container be arriving along with warmer weather? Sounds like it will still be chilly when we hit town – that's OK though, no bad weather only the wrong clothes, as they say!
I can't believe I've never managed to squeeze the Marchรฉ aux Fleurs into my Paris visits, so beautiful, but then again what isn't stunning in Paris! Never enough time to see everything – need a couple of months visit, or even better, a permanent move there!
See you soon – Mary
Thanks for asking – a container full will be arriving in April / May. Look forward to seeing you, Mary.
Loi,
I am so in love with the little dove and all of the other art and artful accessories!
You have such a great eye and make the perfect choices. The flower market is so gorgeous!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
A New Gallery in Town!
The items in your shop are always exquisite….and yes the flower market is stunning!….I do not remember that market when we were in Paris….I only know if we were there, I would have had that placed engrained in my head as it is spectacular…I was always so taken back by the beauty of the flowers and the vivid colors of the fruit in the markets. Glad you had a wonderful trip.
Thanks, Shirley. That is a small flower market, but worth a stroll if you are in the area. Cheers
Hello Loi, I also have a special fondness for the small items. Perhaps because I don't have a permanent house, I like to buy things that are more transportable, and don;t have to fit a specific space or decorating scheme. Also, the small, intimate treasures often seem to encapsulate the personality of their former owners than the large, more public items. My favorite item here is the antique magnifying glass–a real find!
–Jim
May I inquire about the cost of the 2 miniature fruit pics and the framed tapestry dog. Many thanks.
Mallon and Bennett
Melinda Bennett
Melinda@ mallonandbennett.com
Thanks for asking Melinda. I will email you next. Cheers
Hello Loi,
What beautiful little treasures indeed! I am totally in LOVE with them all, but that geometric print above the foldout desk is amazing! The Paris flower market photos made my heart skip. How beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos.
Susan
love your small things + what a "haul" you made + have a wonderful week. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
OMG…Spring in Paris….What could be more beautiful??? Absolutely gorgeous!
All your new treasures are outstanding…..
Love seeing them all.
xo
Patty
Loi,
You had me at "Little Treasures"! That part of any room always steals my heart. You've brought back some real treasures and one of my favorites is the little tapestry dog, how cute is that.
The furniture pieces make everything look beautiful!
xo,
Karen
sweet mother that framed tapestry fragment and those wee chairs that are perfectly proportioned for lil me. your treasures are everything, loi! peace.
Hi Loi–I've been missing you (and posts). Life and connections are so serendipitous: (1) just brought in 3 antique chinese pigskin.vellum trunks, but mine are in colors. (2) I have a collection of 18th and 19th children's chairs which I will not bring to shop. I can't help it, if I find a great little chair–I buy it no matter what! I love all of the vignettes! Have a fantastic spring filled week. xoxoxo Mary
Ooooh, I want to see your collection of children's chairs – my weakness!!! xoxo
You totally blew me away this morning Loi! Sheer beauty! That exquisite dove is the jewel in the vignette…you ate so right on about details in the home! N.xo
I am on my phone and will come back properly so I can fully express my delight here my friend!
Great smalls…I agree they are the sweetest touches to any room! Your choices are as always, wonderful. Welcome back, by the way!
-Revi
I love the way you share both your travels and your treasures with your readers, Loi! Such fun to see both. I really want that still life with apples – along with everything else pictured! May have to find an occasion ( a birthday? Mother's day?) to celebrate with a little something from your shop!
xx
Beth
Thank you, Beth!! The still life is even more lovely in person ๐ Hard to photograph due to the glare.
Hi Loi, Great post today! Oh, how I'd like to see that Parisian flower market in person! But for now, your wonderful blog will do! Love the tiny treasures too. Your style is unmistakable…………Holly
Thank you, Holly! I can see you painting at the flower market – so inspiring. Cheers
You must have had quite a large carry on to bring home so many treasures. We always say flowers finish a room and without them, you might as well be in a hotel. The same goes for little accessories and we love what you've gathered abroad. And the look on Monsieur's face is so priceless and French! We sued to live just around the corner in the 5th and would walk the market often. Let's hope Spring is on it's way.
xxoo
C + C
WOW – lucky you all!!! Such a lovely part of Paris. Cheers
I am finally home from work, on my laptop, where I can GUSH over your finds here, Loi.
That you and Tom were in Paris is enough to swoon! Your photos are excellent and the colors that make up Paris, from brocante stalls to flower markets! I need some color here since we again got snow last night, and we want spring. Your share is a delight to my senses, and your little finds pack a big punch for taste and real vintage French. That little desk….OH MY! And of course,your signature grey Gustavian pieces are my desire. I need to go see if the Gustavian side table I saw a few weeks back at an antique shop is there; I want it!
Thank you for sharing so much inspiration and love. Big hugs to you dearest Loi! Anita
The ustavian round table with the carved apron – swoon! Welcome Spring!!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes
Welcome home! Looks like a fabulous trip. I love the tiny chairs!
You have such a great eye! Love everything you brought back with you! Barbara P from Ma
Thank you, Barbara. Hope the snow is melting in MA. Still lots in Maine.
Love all of your little treasures here. You know those Secretsry desks are my favourite. I have one in my room. The ones you feature here are amazing. Lucky you to be shopping in Paris. Visiting the Marchรฉ aux fleurs is a treasure in itself. C'est magnifique.
Loi, I do not even know where to start…the brass tobacco box with the acorn finial, the little dog needlepoint, the fabulous still life paintings. And the children's chairs! I love everything you brought home! I can only imagine the treasures that you will be unpacking in May!
I hope that you are finally seeing a little bit of Spring! How is the house hunting coming along? Any luck finding the perfect new place?
Have a wonderful week and thank you for sharing all of your treasures and photos of Paris!
Hello Lou
Monsieur in his blue jacket amidst the flowers really speaks Spring and France. Your items which you brought in your suitcase are all beautiful and I love the vignettes you have composed. Looking forward to seeing your purchases when they arrive.
Helen xx
Pardon my spelling I did mean to type Loi
As always, there is so much to love, Loi and the courting mirror is a favorite. The gorgeous flowers have me dreaming of warm weather and sunshineโฆ
Dear Loi – I am off to Paris in June so I have put Parisian Marche aux Fleurs into my diary.
What a suit case of treasures you found on your trip – the Hellebores and the loving cup perfectly compliment each other but I particularly admire that lovely little brass tobacco pot
Hi Loi! As always, beautiful pics and finds! Love the Chinese trunk! I want one!! ๐
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Vesna
Looks like you had a fabulous trip! You certainly brought home some treasures and I can't wait to see the future new additions to the shop. Have a great week!
xo,
Phyllis
Oh, Loi, you have brought the beauty of spring flowers and freshness to my heart! The Parisian Marche aux Fleurs looks like a most enchanting place to visit and how I would love to stroll its lanes, lined with all those fragrant and frilly petals!
You always manage to track down the most darling little treasures on your buying trips, which are adventures in themselves and this collection is no exception. They're all charming and I know they'll be very happy in their new North American homes.
Happy Spring, my friend!
xoxo
Poppy
Hello Loi!
Lovely post as usual ๐
I am swooning over the dove and would like to inquire as to the price?
So happy you had such a lovely trip!
XO
Terri
Hey there, Terri – Will email. I miss you. Cheers
I am obsessed with that BIRD!! Love, love!! xoxo ,K
So many beautiful images from France! The man in the blue smock, surrounded by bouquets of color should win a prize!
I love the hellebores gathered in the coppery colored cup – such a perfect but unexpected compliment of of colors. Will the little tapestry dog turn up in your shop? I'll have to keep checking…
Happy spring!
Suzanne
Thanks! The little doggie will be going to Canada!! Cheers
Dear Loi,
Always beauty and inspiration in your posts of gathered pieces. The Parisian Flower Markets are vivid beauty in Springs promise. We will be In Paris this May. A comment you made about smalls. I agree and I believe smalls are little gestures in a home that speak volumes and accent a home with love.
We are in the process of a kitchen update and improvements to the outside of our home. To visit your new post and relax in the photos posted was exactly what I needed. More arrivals in April, oh Loi I will be visiting your shop and your new found pieces.
Your discerning eye and impeccable taste is what has made you one of my most favorite blogs. I simply adore you and your style.
xx,
Vera
Vistiing your blog is like a little vacation trip for me. I always feel so relaxed and happy when I look at all the beauty you create. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Love the little magnifying glass, such a sweet touch!
Loi–I'm in love. Is the tiny dog tapestry remnant spoken for? Fondly–Amanda ahburkett@gmail.com
Hello, friend!! The little doggie will be going to Canada. I'll email you. Thanks so much!
I buy my Christmas tree from the Monsieur in blue!!
Love your beautiful blog.
Lori
Bonjour! That is so cool ๐ And lucky you to live in Paris. Thanks for your note – it made my day!!! Merci
Boy..your not kidding! You found some wonderful things…two of my favorites are the Chinese trunk and that wonderful picture of the dog.
I'm always excited to see your pictures from your trips Loi, other than the fact that you take magnificent photos, your eye for beauty just captures the essence of the place!!!! Love it dear! I know we'll be seeing more from your trip, so I can't wait!
I love all the beautiful SMALLS you brought home, they are small in size but huge when it comes to impact. Statement pieces that are heirloom quality. In love with the Napoleon club chair and the reticulated fruit bowl!
Dear Loi – I always enjoy how you arrange vignettes with alluring style and charm. My favorites of this grouping are the dove and the brass box (I'm big on smalls!).
Thank you for sharing Marche aux Fleurs, Loi. So beautiful to see. Love the image of the flower man! The lovely dove with the secretary and Danish style art in your shop is so pretty.
impeccable finds, the loving cup in particular is divine!
when i bring my group to paris this fall i must include the flower markets, completely forgotten about that
thank you loi
as an aside, your post brought back a memory. once while guiding a group in england we toured the private home of a collector of napoleon artifacts, actually the largest in england. the main room housing the collection beheld a vast collection but aghast i asked if the light from the floor to ceiling windows could damage the collection. 'oh, it's just things' he replied. hats, gloves, books, clothing, etc. were simply scattered about, collecting dust. amazing!
Beyond fabulous!! Ah, to shop abroad may I live vicariously through you??
So much exquisite beauty….where to begin, dear Loi!? ๐
Once again, you have brought joy and inspiration…why oh why have I never visited the flower market? Stunning photos…what a riot of color…and the fragrance was out of this world, I can only imagine!
Your new treasures at the shop…I love the sweet paintings, mirror…the dove is so special…and that framed piece of tapestry…what a gem!
I do hope you are able to begin gardening, sweet friend…what a winter you've had.
Thank you so much for your beautiful message…I've missed you too! ๐
Much love,
~ Irina
I visited Le Marche aux Fleurs in Paris last Christmas. I love the way you match little treasures Loi and combine perfectly well furniture pieces of different style. A visit in your shop would be such an experience…
Happy weekend
Olympia
Loi, they are beautiful pieces. I so wish I lived near you to visit your beautiful store. You also have a great eye for the way you've put all the vignettes together. Can't wait to see what treasures you unpack from your shipping crates when they arrive!
Your trip to France sounds delightful Loi. You bought back some treasures indeed. I am sure they will be out of the shop before you know it.
Have a good weekend!
Madelief
Loi so great to find your blog! Your photos are superb!… Also wish I lived closer to come in a drool over your new items! Following you now!
Spectacular Loi! I must come see the shop and you! I love the 'smalls' and how they make the room. I love the acorn topped brass box and that dog tapestry piece …and every single thing you do! So glad you had another magical trip . Xo Nancy
I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
Loi, your Paris photos have me wishing for a spring trip of my own. Just seeing all those gorgeous flowers makes my heart skip a beat. Then there are all the beautiful treasures you brought home. Oh, how I'd love to visit your shop some day.
Happy Spring!
Thanks for sharing snippets of your trip to Paris Loi! How wonderful a time it must have been, especially at this time of year with everything blooming. Such lovely treasures you brought home too! xx
Such beautiful things. Love the little oil paintings. They are so charming and everything is so artfully arranged.
OH My Gosh! How did I mis this!!
So much love here! Just perfect.
Teresa
xoxo
Oh my word, I found your blog today and what stunning images. I cannot decide what I love more about the decor. A beautiful palette indeed. Look forward to more of your posts.
Maria
I'm completely torn over which fruit painting to love more, the cherries or the applies. Both are spectacular and, as you said, would make a lovely addition to a bookshelf or a kitchen! I'm always a wee bit green when I read about your travels! If only I could stow away in one of your suitcases!
I make a lovely traveling companion, I swear. ๐
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