Treasure hunting...

Ahhh...the first Sunday of the month...

ALAMEDA FLEA MARKET (they officially call it the Alameda Antique Mall...whatever).  For those of you LA'ers, you might liken it to the one in Pasadena/Rose Bowl.  I love getting the chance to go and spend the morning here.  Not just because there are some amazing things to be bought (as I found out last time), but also because its gorgeous...there's an amazing view of the SF skyline in the background and its next to the water so its just breezy enough that even on this toasty day, it was bearable.

I woke up at 6am, rode the bus to pick up my zipcar, and headed off.  Yes, it takes some commitment for me, carless and in Berkeley, to get there.  Today, my efforts paid off.  

I went with ONE thing specifically in mind...get an old, vintage bar cart.  I didn't exactly find one that I was looking for, however, at the end of the day, I did find a cool industrial looking cart that I actually think would make for a perfect bar in my soon-to-be-redecorated home office.  

In any case, here's my bounty:

Found this great Danish teak side chair. Comparable ones were going for about $80-$100.  I picked this one up for $40.  

Tip: Don't buy from vendors that "specialize" in something (meaning, all they sell is mid-century modern furniture, for instance.)  Instead, look for the "junk collectors" who sell a hodge-podge of stuff.  Sometimes, they have no idea what gems they have and they price their stuff way low.  

It fits perfectly in the corner of my sunroom.

Found this fantastic 3-tier end table. The vendor was using it to display other stuff (including a plastic plant and a yellow & red polka dot piggy bank...shit you not).  He asked $45, I got it for $40...solid wood!

Tip: Don't be woo'd by the vendors who "showcase" their stuff.  I've found the vendors who have the nicest displays usually overprice their goods.  Also, anything is for sale...including display racks.  And of course, ALWAYS try and talk down the price.

This fits perfectly next to my media console AND I can use it to hide my hideous ventilation grate.  (don't mind the San Francisco picture...it still needs a frame! ...Oh! And there's the old vintage fan I bought last time at the flea market!)

And this: my new bar cart. It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase and I paid $200 for it...but since I couldn't find the one I was looking for, I got excited about this as an alternative. Its bigger than it looks in the picture and really sturdy...(don't mind my weed-infested back yard)

Tip: Some items are worth investing in.  This cart weighs about 200 lbs...no kidding.  I had to have a worker help me load it and I won't even go into how I got it out of the car by myself.  Be open-minded about what you buy and how you'll use it.  I actually really like the restaurant/industrial feel of this.  

ummm...so...really? It sucks living alone.  I tried getting this up my back patio stairs and it tipped over (and probably scared the hell out of every neighbor w/in a 2 block radius w/ the crash).  I have NO idea how I'm going to get this into my house, its SO FREAKING heavy.  

But, when I do, I'm gonna shine it up, display my best liquor on the top (I'm thinking Stoli Elit, No. 209 gin, Basil Hayden bourbon and my crystal decanter filled w/ Oban 14 scotch), and get a pretty vintage ice bucket and tray as well.  

Tip: Plan ahead. Make sure your car is big enough to transport whatever you buy and make sure you have someone there to help you unload!  BAH!

And now...I think I'll have to rest my aching back...looks like Superbowl Sunday plans may have to be changed...