A Trip to the Flea Market to Prepare for Thanksgiving

"Eddie, I need y'all's help!"

That's the call I got on Friday from Elizabeth Blitzer, one of Jaithan's and my closest friends and a native of Baton Rouge, New Orleans. Her accent is sharp, sweet and unmistakably Elizabeth. She then went on to tell me about what began as an intimate Thanksgiving at her place in the Village is now an all-out event for twenty. "I just need more stuff!" she declared. Now I've been over to her place for dinner a number of times, so I know the "stuff" she already has. It's a charming mix of new and old, classic and modern with that great southern style that's so Elizabeth. I would definitely imagine she needs more china to add to the collection of antique ironstone she already has, plus a few new serving pieces, utensils and perhaps even some linens for a look that's season-appropriate, personal and very pulled together. So when Sunday morning came, coffee in hand, off we went to the flea market in Hell's Kitchen and the hunt for the perfect Thanksgiving table!

There's one booth I especially love for lots of good antique tabletop. My friend Rich scours estate sales during the week and is always finding the best stuff. I wish I had his job! 

I don't know if it was the time change or what, but suddenly the Easter Bunny was totally playing tricks! Check out this old cake mold in the form of three—count 'em, three!—oversized eggs. Ever since I was in culinary school, I've loved baking with vintage molds and tins. This one's especially good because you can really make a lot at one time. How fun is this going to be around Easter for all my friends with children? I'd decorate them very simply, just with a piping bag, in all the pretty colors of the season. It just goes to show that even if you have lots of specifics in mind, you can still go to the flea market and find something totally unrelated but still just as great. Timing is everything! You never know what you'll find—or when.

Take these old wooden candlesticks, for example. I already have a few in my collection, but I'm always looking for more, especially around this time of year. I love the warmth that wooden candlesticks bring to a Thanksgiving table, especially the darker ones turned on a lathe. Love too the ones I found on ebay!    

Another great way to add warmth to the table is with antique wooden cutting boards. Now that mine have all been conditioned with mineral oil, they're going to be perfect either as trivets or for serving cheeses and breads. Oooooo, I can see the warm corn bread now...  

And for a little bit of height on the table, how perfect is this glass compote for serving cranberry relish? Stay tuned for how I doctor up a store-bought version, then serve it as though it's the most special dish around. Presentation is everything!  

Whole nuts in the shell, for example, suddenly become something special when you serve them alongside a vintage bowl with the nut cracker built in. The shells just fall right into the bowl. Talk about a pretty mess! And if you like this one, check out ebay for more! 

Here's the pile of stuff we set aside, while Elizabeth and I scoured the rest of the flea market.

But first, check out this little video!

And off we went on our search for even more great stuff for Elizabeth. Thanksgiving's just around the corner and I really wanted to help her create a look that's sophisticated and pulled together.

I think antique linens are such a great start to a table full of character. Even if you find something that's a little soiled, Lestoil works wonders! 

Check out this piece of vintage fabric Elizabeth spotted. Even though it's a remnant, it would still make such a pretty runner going down a table, especially paired with the wooden candlesticks and glass compote we just found. What a beautiful start to a Thanksgiving buffet!

Whenever I'm entertaining this time of year and it comes time to choosing a color palette, especially for a big Thanksgiving meal, I like to think about the color of leaves throughout the season. It's all the reds and golds, the burnt oranges and browns and that beautiful green tone just before they turn that I think inspire the most beautiful tables. Elizabeth was definitely looking for more serving ware for her party and this large transferware platter would be perfect. The green has a wonderful earthy tone, don't you think? This platter would be great not only for turkey but also for one of my favorite (and super easy!) Thanksgiving sides, roasted acorn squash. Pair it with a runner made from that brown fabric remnant we found, and it's just plain beautiful!

Two other ways to add warmth to a Thanksgiving table, still inspired by the colors of the season, are with touches of timeworn copper and brass. Check out this old copper saucepan I found! I wouldn't serve food in it as it's no longer tinned, but how pretty (and unexpected) would it be for a flower arrangement on a buffet? I'm thinking of dahlias and fall leaves. What about you?   

And for a touch of brass, how pretty are these vintage soup ladles? Ebay has pretty ones too. In fact, I think they might have already inspired Elizabeth's first course—Cauliflower and Roasted Garlic Soup. I served it last year and loved it!

Yellow ware is another great way to bring in the spirit of the season. It's pretty widely available at flea markets too. Even if you don't use a bowl like this for presentation, it's perfect for, say, mixing a batter of cornbread. So we may have found a few good serving pieces and utensils for Elizabeth, together with the fabric for the runner, but we were still on the look out for china she could easily mix with her collection of white antique ironstone.  

And as luck would have it, there it was—a beautiful set of ironstone transferware. Look how junky the table was too. Love that! 

I think the pattern is quite pretty—it's a fall harvest basket filled with seasonal fruits and nuts. And best of all, Elizabeth loved it! I suggested she mix in plates from this set with the white ironstone she already owns. One setting would have a white dinner plate, then a transferware salad plate on top of that. The next setting would simply be the reverse. The look is cool and eclectic but in a consistent and pulled together way, don't you think?

Now that that was done (whew!), we decided to head back to Rich's booth to pick up all our other stuff before heading out.    

But first, check out this sideboard we spotted on the way back. I like its shape, and it's definitely in good condition, but I just want to lighten it up a bit. If it were up to me, I'd paint the whole thing a warm mushroom color, lay burlap over the top, then paint it the same color again. The texture would be so pretty and the perfect backdrop to a sophisticated Thanksgiving buffet, don't you think?

But sometimes, sophisticated only goes so far before you just want to have fun, right? And for Elizabeth's Thanksgiving party, full of all her friends and family from the south, I think this old vintage Dolly Parton album would be perfect!

All in all, I'd say Elizabeth and I did pretty well, wouldn't you? She scored a lot of great "stuff" that's going to mix in perfectly with what she already owns. So even if you think you have everything you need for Thanksgiving this year, why not take a trip to the flea market, your local Goodwill or even check out ebay for that little something more? Creating a Thanksgiving table that's pulled together and beautiful is all in the details, and in the coming weeks, I'll show you how!

Comments

[Daisy Cottage]

Oh this was soooo fun! Thank you Eddie for including us! I just went to a huge flea market too and came away exhausted but with wonderful finds. I'm so enjoying your blog! Keep up the great work!
Kim

[Brian Kelley]

Eddie,

You were enjoyable to watch on Top Design, but I didn't like how they edited it to make you look "catty". Shame on em! You have a wonderful blog and I really enjoy it. So much that you inspired me to blog as well. LOVE LOVE all your collections, found items, etc! I have an obsession for platters and serving pieces, but I wish we had great flea markets here in Little Rock like those in NYC. You are truly talented. Cheers!

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

I love the little French inspired table that was under the nutcracker.

Thanks for the tip about Lestoil.

My family and I are headed to a Dude Ranch for the Thanksgiving holiday.(No, I am not kidding.) I think I might need that Dolly Parton album... ~Jolene~Jolene~Jolene!

[Alison]

Hi Eddie, I love your blog and I'm always checking in to see what's new - your style is very classy and inspiring. I'm coming to NY from Toronto this month on business (and for fun) and would love to check out the flea markets you show on your blog. Are they open during week days? I'm flying in on a Sunday afternoon and feel it's too late to make it to the market on time. thanks.

[maddy]

Looks like fun. It's great to get to follow you along! Note to self: look for wooden candlesticks ...

[mslewis]

I love seeing the stuff you get at flea markets, Eddie. You never fail to come up with something interesting.

Are you planning to print that cauliflower-garlic soup recipe? It sounds delish!!

[beachbungalow8]

great video element.

love that side board, the transerware-ish ironstone and guess what...with perseverance, I've scored at goodwill, Redondo Beach. You'd be proud.

[Pam]

I love the Fall harvest plates! You find the most amazing things. Keep up the great work! Your ideas are infinite.

[Decorpad]

Looks like you guys had a blast! ;)

[laura @ the shore(house)]

Love the finds! I haven't been to this market in Hell's Kitchen but I've seen some great finds lately on these here internets so I'll have to give it a whirl. p.s. Love the Lestoil tip...I'm going to give it a try!

[Mike D.]

Eddie,

Can you get a movement started to have Martha pardoned before Bush leaves office?

[Kim]

I'm totally in love with that sideboard. I need to keep my eyes open for something like that in my neck of the woods...

Speaking of my neck of the woods, I totally bought those same candlesticks at Yard Sale Days here for $1.00. Now I know that I was just totally on my game that day! =)

[The City Sage]

Great finds as always, Eddie! Elizabeth is lucky to have such a great shopping buddy to help her sniff out the best stuff for her party!

I just love how you not only show us the things you love, you tell us exactly what you'd do with them; it makes the whole thing that much more inspiring for us readers!

And you look so fall-chic in that quilted jacket, I just have to say :)

[hanako66]

Oh what fun you two must have had!! I too, am very much looking forward to your cranberry recipe. LOVE the idea of mixing and matching alternating plates...I will keep that in mind and OMG about the burlap top on the sideboard....love it!! have a good day:)

Aline

[Kathysue]

Oh what a fun day of shopping!I was noticing how the items were all piled and messy and YOU still found treasures. I tend to walk by when it is messy, I guess I had better start diggingg in. Did you get the email about the chi-chi Goodwill in Los Altos, Calif. I really think your viewers would get a kick out of seeing that. I still can't believe they have such a thing but I have to admit it is intriguing. Great job with Elizabeth,can't wait to see it all put together!! xoxoKathysue

[shawn]

So looking forward to your post with your cranberry sauce recipe that starts with store bought, and see it in Elizabeth's compote. She is lucky to have you as a friend, ditto Martha. She knows a "good thing" when she sees it!

[Shelley Granata]

Wow ... who knew mornings could be so beautiful; thanks to your post - this morning I am off to an inspired start. You are simply a pleasure all around ... even to read :) !!

Shelley Granata
New Canaan, CT

[seleta]

Dying over that last set of plates. Elizabeth, your table setting is going to be so lovely. How great that you have expert + good friend Eddie to help make it fantastically chic.

[ryepye]

What a great day you had. Thanks for taking me along. I intrigued by your comments on the buffet. Sometime would you explain how/why you place the burlap on the top and repaint again? It seems you did something similar with a round painted table that you featured in the last couple of weeks. Thanks again for another great post!

[Jan]

Brillant fun -- and such wonderful treasures! What a great day -- even the weather was perfect! Thanks for including the video too -- always nice to hear -- as well as -- see your face! Can't wait (foot tapping on the ground) to see the results at your home!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

[tara / dallas, tx]

i'm so glad you're still in my life.

hahahah!

but seriously. i am.

[Arlynn]

What amazing finds, I' super excited to start thinking about my own Thanksgiving table. I have a ton of creamy white dishes, and an accent color I love to use is that green from EB's new platter... stunning! I can't wait to see how else you will inspire my holiday gatherings, thanks for your fab finds & great advice!

[gina]

I cant wait to see how you pull it all together!! I have wood candle sticks somewhere in a closet and they will come out, I especially cant wait to see how you use the compote. I have one but it looks so small and insignificant when it is on the table. I love this site!! H ave a great day gina

[kristen]

i'm going to this flea market on sunday, that's it!

i haven't shot here in ages and your photos are making my camera ITCH in my hands.

great inspiration this morning, thank you.

[Steve McKenzie]

Wish I had been there with you. You really made a haul! Can't wait to see Elizabeth's Thanksgiving Table. She is so Chic.

[Mike D.]

Eddie,

Y'all had some great scores at the flea market (as usual). Loved the transferware plates and platter. The compote is also fab. Keep it up!!

[Karena]

Very fun to watch the video and see you in action!

[Content in a Cottage]

Eddie ~ Elizabeth is so lucky to have you and Jaithan as friends. I am sure she knows it too! ♥Rosemary

[Pam]

The video was great! Do more of those please. I use pieces like the wooden candlesticks as hat racks in my store. Keep it near your door at home for your hat. Looks great too :)
Hugs,
Pam

[Cheryl]

Thanks for all of the info- I love that you mention goodwill- I would of forgotten! Here in Az we don't have the great flea market finds but who knows?

[Lucien, Virginia Beach, VA]

Oh my gawd, you inspired me to go thrifting and I found the bargin of the century! I found a 1940's Phellps Radio! For only $15.00. The man at the store said it didn't work! I came home, plugged it in and jiggled a few of the tubes and it works! AM, FM and shortwave! The wood is fabulous and all because of yourself and Elizabeth! I would have snaped a photo for ya, but not sure how too? Any clues on how to?

[Christy]

OMG Elizabeth does the same thing with her hands that I do when I'm really excited thrifting!! I know she was having a good day!! Love the transfer ware plates and I can't wait to see your Easter cakes! And of course Elizabeth's Thanksgiving table.

[Tamara]

I'll be checking back for sure!

[Jess]

I love the marble slab Elizabeth got! I've never seen that at a flea market out in my area, are there any other places to pick up a small slab like that for a good deal?

[Paloma of La Dolce Vita]

Yet another successful trip! We went to an event called the Urban Market here in Houston on Sunday. It was very cool and I totally thought of you as I was rummaging through the antiques.:)

[Sheila]

Eddie- Thanks for another wonderful post. I'm hoping to find some great items for my Thanksgiving Day table now.

[Virginia]

LOVED the video. Made us feel we were in NYC with you two!! What a lucky girl Elizabeth is - to shop with the best of 'em. You are inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone, mix it up for my T'giving Table. Thanks, Eddie!