Why Going To A Flea Market With Trusted Friends Is THE Move (+ All Jess’ And Friends Finds From Downtown Modernism)

If I could only go to one flea market for the rest of my life, I would say, “Sorry, Rose Bowl, you are OUT!” Downtown Modernism, you have my heart… and now all of my money. And look, that’s not to say this is everyone’s dream market. It lends itself primarily to a very mid-century modern style, which, of course, may not be for you. It was really sad the Cailtin and Mal couldn’t join (Caitlin is on the east coast and Mal was sick) but my beloved friend Emily (I actually refer to her as “Friend Emily” and Emily Henderson as “Boss Emily” when talking to people) and my incredible cousin Becca, her husband Jason, and their perfect baby, Sunny (you’ve actually met them before but I’ll get to that later) came along for our 7:30 call time. Becca and Jason are equally as obsessed with this flea, but it was Emily’s first time. All of them were looking for art, but I didn’t have a real list of needs, which is ummm…dangerous. So while I’m never not on the lookout for special treasures, I went more as a friend consultant:) Don’t worry, I was still able to find things I “needed” as well as consult my loved ones. A very fulfilling morning:)

Sorry, these aren’t great shots, but they do give you the general vibe in case this is your first time hearing/reading about it. This was Caitlin and my post from the fall if you want to take a look at that too! Also, it’s only twice a year—spring and fall. Anyway, I always end up feeling like an awkward flea market paparazzi photographer when I’m there, never totally sure how “okay” it is to snap away. However, I know I am one of MANY. But also, how cool is that bassinet?

Speaking of babies, Becca and I are very committed to making sure Sunny has a firm education (and great taste) in vintage decor. Since having kids may or may not happen for me, I need to see which of the family’s younger generation will inherit my ever-growing collection someday! Will it be Sunny?? Well, that’s up to him if he can prove his design appreciation to me. I’m only half joking:) My niece is three months younger than Sunny and has some flea market catching up to do if she also wants in.

As the lamp-loving gal I am, the first photo I took was this one. It’s a 1937 Kurt Versen copper table lamp, and I fell for it immediately. The seller promptly said to ignore the price because her roommate “must have been high” when they priced it, ha. Couldn’t totally tell if she was joking. But actually, if you go on 1stDibs, this designer’s lamps are $$$$. $2,495 might be a little high, but this was clearly a gem.

The task lamp on the left was so good and I wanted it!! It’s a tragedy I don’t have more space to collect more lamps, although likely for the best:) I believe this cutie was priced at $250. I also wanted that white and black lamp in the foreground of the photo on the right (and Emily wanted the one behind it). They were selling for $250 and $350. For the life of me, I can’t remember what the seller said about them beyond the prices, but when I googled them, I think they may be beehive lamps? Neither of us made the purchase, but they will live in our hearts forever.

I just really loved these chairs and thought I’d share them here. But that extra-wide chaise is truly incredible, and I wish I had the space for it. Sorry, I didn’t ask for the prices since I knew I couldn’t get them. Why add salt to the wound, you know?

Another MCM gem that needed a blog moment! Does it look super comfortable? Not really. But is it so beautiful and on wheels? YES!

Ceramics are another one of my, I guess, many forms of decor kryptonite. That plate/tray was just cool and unique. The colors and texture were also so good. I didn’t end up asking the price because it was another one I knew I didn’t have a place for. Then the piece on the right says it’s a sound amplifier? Whether that’s its actual use or not, I think it would be so cool on a shelf or display surface. All the little details are so fun. If I had a place for it, I might have offered $50 from the $65 price tag and seen what happened.

We ended up all on the hunt for art, but per usual, it’s tricky. No one grabbed these, but I just liked them, so I grabbed a picture:) Great colors, great shapes, but very classic MCM, which I don’t think any of us were really looking for.

Becca And Jason’s Finds

Does this nursery look familiar?? In case you missed it back in September, it’s Sunny’s! But the real star of this space is my cousin Becca, who DIY’d most of this magical room (yes, those stripes were individually hand-painted!).

Just thought you should know that not only is Becca an EHD alum, she’s extremely talented with impeccable taste. On the regular, we are texting back and forth if the other one likes a design idea we have, or are asking our opinion if we like a piece we might want to buy. It’s a dream and I feel so lucky! I’m pretty confident she feels the same…especially since she’s told me:) The other fun part is that her husband Jason is also very cool and has great style (my Libra brother!)…which, when you are shopping for home decor for a shared space, it can be ummm a little challenging when your partner doesn’t always agree. That’s actually when, at times, I’m also ushered in. It’s either “Hey, Jess! What do you think, we can’t decide” or “Hey Jess, Jason doesn’t like this but I think he’s wrong, what do you think?” lol. She’s half kidding and half working the designer/cousin tie breaker in her favor. Look, I respect the game, but do give my honest opinion. It often goes Becca’s way, but I have been known to agree with Jason, too. The good thing is that whatever happens, their home is going to be beautiful. It’s a win-win regardless.

They are such a beautiful family, it’s sickening! And look, Sunny is already obsessed with their Richard Burkett vessel! They have a large wooden, cubby-style shelving unit in their living room (up and away so Sunny can’t get near it), so they were looking for fun and special sculptural pieces to continue to fill it with. They asked if I thought they should get this piece, and I said, “YES!”

She was a pretty penny but a piece they’ll love forever. The vendor they got it from was one of my favorites! They were called The Mexican MOCA, and I wish I could remember the woman’s name who ran it. The booth was filled with the coolest pieces (more on that in my section:)) and she was so warm and sweet. Their Instagram is private, but it looks like they have a more permanent booth in Kurtz Street Vintage Marketplace in San Diego. Next time I’m in SD, I may have to pay it a visit.

Becca and Jason have a wall or two that still need love in their house, so like I said, art was a priority for them. At one point, Becca grabbed me and asked what I thought of this fabric as an art piece.

I said that I thought it was great. High impact and such a perfect size. I love oversized art because it almost always looks so cool and comes off really intentional. Now it’s a classic Marimekko print, and I loved that you could see the fabric info on the side. It was $250. Becca wanted to know how I thought they should hang it, and I suggested a wooden rug hanger. That way, it still looks cool, thoughtfully designed, and won’t cost a million dollars. She went home and found this one on Etsy!

This was the magical booth of artist and vintage seller, Melinda Forster. Boss Emily gets all the credit for introducing me (and all of you who have been reading since 2018) to Melinda’s work. This was Em’s first post about this flea market back then when she talked about her! She’s as talented as she is kind (as well as her partner). And in full disclosure, this booth was more magical looking before our group got our little paws all over it. These photos were some of the aftermath, ha.

These were the two pieces that Becca and Jason picked up! They are both by Melinda, and I’m very happy I get to visit them whenever I want. They each will get their very own cubby (as you can kinda see in the photo on the left) and make their home even more special than it already is. Together, these were $300. I mean, for two original pieces, where you also get to meet the artist? Not too bad if you ask me.

Their total for the day came to $745. Now onto Friend Emily!

Emily

Because I’m sure you are itching to know, I met Emily through a friend, working at the same restaurant in NYC back in 2014. When I left and moved to Australia, she happened to also be moving back to LA. Then, a mere nine months later, after I moved back to California (due to my breakup), I asked her if she wanted to grab lunch after my dream job interview with Emily Henderson. Needless to say, lunch went great and I eventually got the dream job:) We’ve been besties basically ever since.

Now, Emily’s style is a mix of 70s and Italian grandma (as she has a lot of Italian blood running through those beautiful veins). As she has been decorating her apartment, we coined her style as “Soft 70s”. Think a healthy balance of feminine and masculine lines, pastel greens, clays, and pinks, with varying wood tones and light neutrals. Art was her biggest wish for this flea market, and let’s just say she made a good dent in that department…

These two ladies were the first purchases of the day. We first saw the lady on the left and adored the texture of the oil paint and color palette. Then the gal on the right also really spoke to Em, so she needed to come home with her, too. Emily said when she got home and put them in her bedroom they were THE PERFECT color match so she freaking nailed it. The mix of mediums looks so great together and I can’t wait to see them all framed, in their rightful place:) The oil lady was $40 and and pastel one was $30.

Unlike me, Emily is great with plants and really fell for this little copper watering can (also from Melinda’s booth). I happened to be talking to Arvin Olano (It was our first time meeting, and he was so wonderful. If you don’t follow him on Instagram, you must!) when Em came up to us and asked what we thought. Like Em, we both loved the patina and thought it was so sweet. This was a little more of that Italian grandma vibe, which was perfect. A great little $40 find.

Then, as we did our last lap, we stopped by a booth with really great jewelry. This market is mostly decor, but there’s always a little jewelry, and it’s always good stuff. My 70s-loving friend saw that three metal ring and knew it was hers (the one with the stone was her mom’s, also from the 70s:)). That one came to $70.

Emily’s total for the day was $180. Ok, now for me:)

Jess

I am officially out of decor surface space after this weekend. So while a part of me is a bit sad (?), I really went out with a bang and I’m about to show you with what:)

Here was my first (of two purchases), and it was a pretty instant yes…which is unlike me, given that I tend to overthink everything, and it was not cheap. I’m pissed I didn’t get a photo of all of them but this table had about seven of these one-of-a-kind stash boxes by artist, Joel Stearn. The seller was very adamant that he never makes the same one twice. I’m a real sucker for stuff like that:) Plus, I loved how graphic it was and the little piece at the top. Oh, and it’s 16.5″!! It’s not always easy finding tall decor peices I love (and can afford).

Here you can see it all taken apart and all of my new places to hide my tiny treasures:) It was $200, so yes, I absolutely hesitated, but I knew I’d be heartbroken if I came back and it was gone. So I just did it. NO REGRETS. And then…

This was a no-brainer for me, and if you can’t tell, it’s by Melinda. She called it a shadow plate, and I immediately fell for the design, the texture, and size. It’s almost 15″ tall! I have a little mini sculpture of hers and knew that I wanted something larger eventually. Well, “eventually” was last Sunday, and I’m so grateful it’s mine. Currently, it’s sitting on my desk, but she may move. Who knows? Regardless, it will be in a spot where it can be properly admired. I paid $140, which I felt was more than fair. I love having art from all over, but getting to have contact with the artist really adds an extra sweetness.

My total came out to $340.

I’d say it was another very successful Downtown Modernism, and while I’ll likely go in the fall, I may have to leave any forms of payment at home (oof, iPhone included, I guess?) and simply be a helpful consultant to the friends I’m with. Only time will tell if that will happen:) Has anyone found any cool flea finds recently?

Love you, mean it.

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