Page 45

NVLife_JulyAug_2013

J U LY / AUGU S T 2 0 1 3 43 I’m addicted to antique fairs, or as they are more casually referred to, flea markets. When I stop to consider the name “flea market” it does not sound that appealing. It’s said that the name came to us from bazaars in Paris, dating back to the 17th century, when rag pickers sold flea-infested furniture and clothing for small sums of money. In other places these types of open-air markets go by different names. In Australia they are referred to as “trash and treasure” markets. And in Britain you can find “boot sales,” where people hawk merchandise from the trunks of their vehicles. To me these vintage fairs are a treasure hunt, and I can’t get out of my car quick enough to start searching like a pirate on a quest for gold. Scanning rows of tin toys, baskets, musty-scented fabrics, mannequin busts and furniture from every era, I have become quick at discerning gems amongst rubble. As a designer I like to mix in vintage finds. I think unique pieces give a home character which cannot be obtained solely with storebought furnishings. Another essential layer of decorating that brings a home to life is adding live garden flora. John Prittie and his wife, Kellie, from Beau Fleurs in Napa, whip up a beautiful bounty of flower arrangements on a daily basis. You may have noticed their storefront—it’s located on Silverado Trail, marked by a 1965 Austin FX4 British taxi parked in front. Eccentricity continues inside the shop, where you can find a hodgepodge of accessories, from wooden spools of twine, to vintage cricket balls, ribbon-bound canvas novels, a box of brass door handles and even a vintage telephone booth. When John discovered the phone booth in an antique store he immediately thought, “That’s so ridiculous we have to have it!” Afterwards he found a dial-up phone from the same era and wired it up inside—now it’s a functioning phone booth you can make calls from. The store’s whimsical atmosphere finds a translation in John’s flower arrangements. As he grabs a hatbox John tells me, “It doesn’t matter what the container is. As long as it has a liner it can be used to display flowers.” John recommends you look around the house for any type of object that might be used: a basket, a watering pot, a ceramic bowl—be creative! I ask John to share some flower arranging tips. While quickly tossing together a sweet little bouquet inside a Chinese rice-scooping box, John says, “Use any kind of foliage you have in the garden. Branches, for instance, make great fillers. You can really surprise yourself with what you can pick from the yard—and don’t worry about a ‘perfect’ arrangement. Be playful. And if you’re using color, it’s nice to spread it throughout the entire bouquet.” The word “playful” resonates with me. I think people often treat home decor too seriously; it’s important to keep an open mind through which creativity can pour. Whether it’s finding a piece of vintage charm or bringing inside a summer bouquet from the garden, a happy home is a loved home. The floral arrangements you see here were provided by Beau Fleurs inside a home I decorated with a collection of new and vintage furnishings. For more photos see Indra’s blog, inspireyourlifestyle.com Article and photos by indra fortney A hand-signed, hand-painted etching, circa 1930s, hangs above a vintage dresser.


NVLife_JulyAug_2013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above