Postcards from France XI: Vintage Display Ideas

Whether you have a brick & mortar, and online shop, or neither and just like to leave meaningful messages around the house, I thought you might like these simple and charming display ideas.

The white pen on vintage tile idea is sweet and accessible. Could make for a great vignette in your on- or offline shop, or make a great little plaque for your next home buffet.

The outdoor chalkboard is a great idea for a boutique or a garden wall, can be made to look grand or down home. Use a smooth plank, paint it with chalkboard paint and recycle an old frame.

I saw these in a winery in Provence when I was Christmas shopping and thought the ideas were pretty nifty.

Wishing you a fun and safe New Year's celebration, and lots of occasion to write out your special messages in 2011!

Postcards from France VII: The Doors of Provence

I wonder if these French people know how lucky they are to live behind these dreamy doors.

Which is your favorite door?

photo credit: Miryam Lamonaca

Door Number 1, the dreamy blue number with natural ivy valance?

Door Number 2, the layered look with beautiful stencil topper?

Number 3's whimsy and bold strokes?

photo credit: Miryam Lamonaca

Or our last candidate, Door Number 4 with it's massively beautiful stone portico, and stately walnut carved doors?

My buddy, Miryam, our two beaux, and I went to visit the glorious village of Bormes-les-Mimosas in Provence. Miryam started snapping these beautiful doors as we took on our proménade around the village.

If my magic wand worked the way it's supposed to, I'd wave it and Door Number 4 would be mine. I'd love to know your pick.

Postcards from France I

How exciting to be part of the Etsy Vintage Team blog launch! As an American living in France, I'm especially happy to be able to connect with the vintage sisters back home.

I'll be sending over Postcards from France to show you the awesome vintage buying is over here, how it's done, and some of the treasures I come across.

This restaurant chalkboard had already been sold by the time I got to it at a fantastic brocante (vintage/antique markets) on Sunday. It says "We emptied the attic, we bring back nothing! Your (reasonable) price is our price." The magnificent turn of the century wicker chair was still for sale. He was asking 30€ (less than $40) and I'm sure he'd have taken less. Hélas I don't have a spot for it so I kept on walking.

The brocante was enormous! I really only went on a whim as I'd never been to this village before. I was expecting it to be a little village garage sale type deal (which can also be amazing - unbelievably low prices), but it was huge with hundreds of vendors, many of them professional.

There were three long alleys filled with vendors, with a babbling brook right in the middle...

...with this gorgeous Provençal village as a backdrop. I was au paradis, in heaven.

It's amazing the slices of life you see at these markets. Check out this elderly lady (who was selling the most sublime textiles from her mother's and grandmother's time) with the backdrop of a graffiti covered depot that has been out of use for decades.

My pockets emptied really quickly - the things I got will soon be posted in my Etsy shop.

Voilà tout! I hope you've enjoyed the Sunday stroll in Provence.