Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Collecting French Antiques

Frenchantiquecrystals_2

Chandelier found at an antique shop. Bust found at an antique market under the table of a vendor. I thought maybe it was sold since it was under the table.

First Rule: Ask questions. Don’t assume that because something is put aside, or looks really nice that it is either sold or too expensive.

Frenchantiquewineglasses

Set of 24 hundred year old wine glasses. Found at a second hand bicycle shop.

Second Rule: Do not be surprised to find things in unusual places.

Knives

Vintage mattress fabric and silver knives.

Third Rule: Think outside of the box. Use things in different ways. Experiment with texture and design.

Vasewithshells

Stone urn, collection of seashells, vanity mirror, and a small frame with engraving.

Fourth Rule: Collect similar objects and display them together.

Teaset

Silver sugar bowl, and teaspoons. Spode tea set.

Fifth Rule: Use your antiques, don’t buy them to put away in the cupboard. Enjoy them daily.

Img_6289

My Nephew in an antique baptismal gown.

Sixth Rule: Share the things you love!

Comments

40 responses to “Collecting French Antiques”

  1. Jeanne

    I love all of your treasure troves……
    Love you
    Jeanne

    Reply
  2. Passementerie (was Sarah in Marrakech)

    Beautiful! I will certainly be keeping your advice in mind as we try to pick up some treasures during our year here in Paris. And I completely agree about using things. Unless you are so lucky as to have more things than you could ever possibly use, you *must* use what things you have – what are you saving them for? Your heirs? Why? I have had such trouble with my parents in the past and have slowly been getting through to them that they are indeed important and good enough to use their own beautiful belongings. I understand the cultural reasons for this reluctance, but I think that it is something to be put behind us and that we should bring out the finest silver teapot for breakfast!

    Reply
  3. Mimi

    love your treasures that you find in such unusual places… you must have such a wonderful time looking for and finding such treasures…
    Mimi

    Reply
  4. suzy

    I always enjoy your pictures and these are just beautiful! Love the collection with the seashells because I love old garden ornaments, seashells and old mirrors. xo, suzy

    Reply
  5. Kristy

    You have such an eye for detail Corey.Hope you are well. xxx

    Reply
  6. karen

    Unless beautiful antiques lay scattered across the ground in France, I would say you have an amazing eye and an amazing sense of how to use that beauty in everyday life. Bravo!

    Reply
  7. delphine

    I dunno know how you do it Corey…just when I least expect it. A smile on my face.
    thanks
    delphine

    Reply
  8. tommie

    Love the stone urn….Great tips as always.

    Reply
  9. Darla

    Yes to using beautiful things. If you are keeping them for your heirs then perhaps you should consider passing some of them on to your heirs right now. For the past few years I’ve been passing on little bits and bob at Christmas, creating a tradition of sorts. My family seems to appreciate it.
    Darla

    Reply
  10. Pam Aries

    Oui ! Oui ! Use all your treasures! Every day! Enjoy their beauty! I love my little teacups and plates ! It makes tea and coffee special!

    Reply
  11. Diogenes

    Your blog is the one place I can come to and know, for sure, that I will leave with a smile! A quiet garden of treasures, both materially and philosophically.
    By the way, great bust, is it marble, terra cotta or plaster?

    Reply
  12. Marva

    Corey – your blog is such a tresure trove! That is an excellent idea to use your antiques…. Marva

    Reply
  13. Cheryl

    Corey,
    Great advice, beautifully written and captioned! Thank you! Cheryl

    Reply
  14. rochambeau

    Love your rules!!

    Reply
  15. Becca

    Such very, very good advice, Corey. Your photos are perfect.

    Reply
  16. Conni

    Hi Corey! Whew…Okay, I didn’t cry when I read your post today, hehe ;)…anyway, I so agree about the not being afraid to ask questions. It’s sometimes scary to risk embarrassment or rejection, but I have received positive answers many more times than negative. I’m going through that right now in that I’m opening up a workshop and retail store near Austin, and there are several artists whose original works I would love to carry. They may laugh at me and say…oh no, we are only represented by galleries, etc…but what the heck, I figure I might also get a yes from some of them, and how wonderful it would be! 🙂 Definitely worth the risk.

    Reply
  17. My Melange

    Loving it all! My other tip(s) for antiques..which I have learned the hard way many times……
    1. Always bring more cash than you *think* you’ll need.
    2. If you love it-buy it, you’ll regret it if you don’t!
    xoxo
    Robin

    Reply
  18. Frieda

    THE BEST ONE: “Use your antiques”…. I DO IT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I WANT TO LIVE LIFE FULLY!!!

    Reply
  19. martina

    Excellent advice. Corey-you have an exceptionally good eye for antiques and “repurposing”. After your floor lamp to candle light photo I did the same thing. Took an old 1930s hanging fixture with prisms friends gave me years ago-it looks much better than it did with light bulb light!

    Reply
  20. Pinkie Denise

    Good Sunday Morning Corey,
    I do not know what time it is in France maybe,
    tomarrow or yesterday? I love all your finds
    and how you put them together. Thanks for sharing your treasure, the wonderful gift of you! Have a great day…. Pinkie

    Reply
  21. Massilianana

    Difficult to chose :the chandelier, the glasses , the silver knives in the mattress fabric , the cute baby…All of them are life essentials to me . We need to use beautiful things whenever possible , to teach babies , while they grow up , how important it is in one’s life to use , handle , touch and not just store .Thanks for another great post .
    Your nephew is a cutie (I love his big eyes , looks like he is ready to embrace life to the fullest !).

    Reply
  22. Colette

    Excellent rules. I try to live by them. You know I adore your glasses 😉 but not more than your gorgeous nephew sweetness. I’d better sign off because I’m going ga-ga over him.
    xoxo

    Reply
  23. AnnieElf

    Good morning Corey. It goes without saying that your nephew is the great beauty in this collection of beautiful things. However, that being said, I love what you did with the shells and mirror. A stunning 3 dimensional composition.

    Reply
  24. cd&m

    Great tips with beautiful photographs.

    Reply
  25. kristin Co

    C’est vrai qu’il est difficile de choisir, mais mon coeur est plus attiré par ta composition autour du miroir avec tous les trésors de la mer ! So lovely, Corey …

    Reply
  26. leslie

    Sage advice! I will keep them in mind. I love your finds. Your place must be like a treasure trove – very lovely!

    Reply
  27. A Fanciful Twist

    Yes! To all the tips!! I aodre your finds, you have such an eye!!! xxo

    Reply
  28. cheeky

    And share you do!
    I would have loved to get my hands on those glasses. What a find.
    xo

    Reply
  29. Hasmin

    Loving the rules, Corey! Also those wine glasses are to die for…:-)

    Reply
  30. Cre8Tiva

    use, don’t hide…i’ve got it…please stop by my blog for another giveaway today…blessings, rebecca

    Reply
  31. Miss Maddie’s

    Excellent advice from a lady in the know with access to the most beautiful things just outside her door. I am jealous. Susan

    Reply
  32. Bethany

    Wonderful words of advice and lovely pics, as usual, you have shared 🙂 That nephew of yours looks like a little angel in that gorgeous antique gown.

    Reply
  33. susanna

    Siiiiigh…it would so much fun to walk through an antique shop or flea market with you, Corey.

    Reply
  34. Mimi

    Yes Corey,
    I enjoy looking for antiques and collectibles also….

    Reply
  35. pam

    Corey, your posts are like therapy to me. When I gaze at your photos I can feel my tight shoulders relax and my blood pressure lowering little by little with each poetic word. Thank you for every treasure of your beautiful French life that you share!

    Reply
  36. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    You Know , Corey .
    You should write a book …so many good advices

    Reply
  37. Paula

    Those wine glasses are to-die-for.

    Reply
  38. Paula

    Those wine glasses are to-die-for.

    Reply
  39. mimi

    my rule for antiques: adore them, whether or not you can afford to take them with you. but more important: when will THE BOOK spring to life in its antique baptismal clothes?

    Reply
  40. Belém

    Very wise the fourth rule. I will try to keep it in mind.

    Reply

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