It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, the second most wonderful because the LA Downtown Modernism flea market happens twice a year (April and October). I (Jess) will never forget when I first saw Emily go having never heard of it. It truly seemed like the most amazing flea because it was curated to the style I was looking mostly for – more midcentury modern, less antique. And look, there are so many amazing markets where antiques and more primitive pieces are at the forefront and I love those too. But baby, when you get a flea market that’s not only perfectly curated to your style but it’s a wonderfully manageable size (not too big, not too small)…I think that’s what they refer to as heaven.
So Caitlin and I (sadly Mal couldn’t join) decided to hit the early morning flea life again and got up to get in line at 7 am for an 8 am opening time to see what treasures we could find. The photo on the left shows how far back we were getting there at that time but we were in with the first group (I believe they stagger at the start so as to not overcrowd). Oh, and it costs $10 to get in. They also have merch which Caitlin decided to get in on with her cute tote! I promise this isn’t sponsored, but just a deep love for an incredible flea market and a chance to show off all of our great finds this time around. Hope you’re ready for some old-school diary blogging.
Modernica
But before we get into our finds, A HUGE part of this market is that Modernica, the market’s host and known for its incredible MCM ceramic pots and modern furniture, has a big ole sale on its stock. If that’s what you are there for then you must head straight to another line for that section. It usually dies down after an hour or so but of course, the sooner you get in, the more options you have:)
We didn’t get shots of their pot section but you’ve definitely seen them in many EHD projects. Here are some shots of the furniture about two and a half hours into the market. We thought we’d just take a peek but didn’t have any intention of buying anything there.
Jess
I thought I’d start and save Caitlin’s even more exciting finds for last:) Let me first show you some of the things I loved but didn’t buy before I get into the things I loved and did buy! Naturally, I saw this metal white and brass lamp and fell in love immediately. But I am on a strict “no lamp purchasing” policy…unless they are matching sconces…which I didn’t find. I also really fell hard for that yellow ashtray oddly enough. I’ve never been a smoker of any form beyond a random one-off, but man, while this ashtray would be useless to me it was so sexy and was in a very fun color. The perfect pop of yellow I’ve been needing?? In another 1960s life maybe, ha.
I wish there weren’t so many things behind this INCREDIBLE hanging ceramic piece to really do it justice but I think you get the picture. I didn’t ask about it so I have no idea the price or maker but my god it took my breath away. Also, how cute is that ceramic candlestick holder on the back of that table?!
If I had the space (and a bigger budget), these would have been mine. They are so cool and interesting with a heavy focus on blocky shapes…of which I continue to be obsessed. I can’t remember the exact price but I believe it was somewhere in the $300 range. Oh, it should be noted that the prices at this market are in the mid to high-ish range (I guess that’s pretty subjective). There are a ton of steals and the dealers are open to a little respectful haggling, but this isn’t a $5 bin kind of market just to give you an idea.
Ugh, THOSE CHAIRS. I was with Caitlin when I saw them and she said she had already asked about them and they were $2,200 for the pair. I didn’t need them but I was still bummed lol. I hope they went to a good home! Then the rolling boxes on the right I loved too but also didn’t have a place for them and they were $395 for the pair.
What I Bought
Ok, now let’s get into what came home with me! The first thing I saw and considered was this glass lantern (?). I believe it’s meant to be a part of the light fixture but I was looking at it as a cool sculpture to put on my shelf. The seller originally wanted $60 but then said it was a “must-go” and would take $40. I said I’d think about it, asked Caitlin and my cousin who was also there with us, and got the confirmation that it was cool. I often need second and third opinions:) So back to the man I went and claimed my new weird sculpture. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll return it to its original form and make it a pendant.
This was actually my last purchase of the day…a Oaxacan wedding bell from the 1960s for $45. We were told by the seller that Charles and Ray Eames famously turned one of these bells into a home doorbell at their Case Study home. Interesting design fact…
Right before the bells, I saw these two carved 15″ wood diamonds and loved them immediately. I thought they were $35 for both to which I offered $25 but there were $35 each, haha. I offered $50 and they were mine! I think they are so cool and plan to mount them on my bedroom wall. We’ve got some 3-D art people!
This one was my splurge at $150 but it’s so so beautiful and cool!!! It’s 9″ tall with the top being a whopping 10.5″ so the proportions are pretty interesting. I also was drawn to it because so many of the pieces I have are matte, I needed some gloss in my life!
And look at this stunning top. I feel so lucky it’s mine. I know I would have regretted passing it up. Happy belated birthday to me?? (She said for the 7th time this month).
The second purchase of the day (and the final one of the post for me) was this Paul Klee book. If I’m honest I was most attracted to the cover’s pattern and colors. I need more of that for my living room so I was pumped to grab this guy for $35. I also really love the inside cover too if I ever want to go more neutral. So happy with it!
So that’s it from me and now I give you Caitlin. She’s got it all! Steals, deals, and a piece of furniture she and her boyfriend might be fighting over (in the good way!!). Take it away Caitlin…
Caitlin
Let me set the scene: it’s 8 AM. The doors have just opened to the market. The sun is shining, there’s a beautiful breeze, I’m wearing a surprising number of layers (we do have seasons in LA – they just last for about 4 hours), I’ve downed an iced matcha, and I have $175 burning a hole in my pocket (after $10 for admission and my $15 tote). This is the first booth I spot upon entry, and I am THRILLED.
Little did I know that I would, within the next two hours, absolutely decimate my aforementioned budget. Destroyed. Gone. BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS. I don’t know what happened at this market, but I felt much like a werewolf when exposed to moonlight. Downtown Modernism, filled with all of its beautiful objects, transformed me into some sort of vintage-shopping animal. I COULD NOT STOP. I was like Donna Meagle and Tom Haverford combined, having apparently brought myself out on some sort of impromptu “treat yo’ self” day.
Lesson learned: IT IS VERY EASY TO SPEND MONEY AT DOWNTOWN MODERNISM. I mean…look at these booths! Look at the curation! If you haven’t been, please know that you will find far more than you’d ever expect. Do not be like me! YOU WILL SPEND MORE THAN $175! Budget accordingly.
But real talk: Art! The lamps! The vessels! And the candleholders – oh, man, there are candleholders for DAYS. I couldn’t get enough, clearly. I loved that wooden articulating number on the right, but I was so charmed by the shape and finish of all the surrounding pottery. There’s not a single dud on either of these tables, guys! Any piece would be the perfect finishing touch on your credenza, bookshelf, or wall, or coffee table. AND IT’S ALL VINTAGE! If I had to imagine my own ideal version of heaven, it would be walking the aisles of Downtown Modernism.
I mean…you’ve seen my house. I’m sure you can imagine what seeing the Gaetano Pesce UP7 stool surrounded by bright, hand-pinched, ceramic animal figurines does to me. (That’s the giant foot in the back, for people who have hobbies outside of “learning furniture names.” What’s it like to have a life?)
OKAY, OKAY – the scene has been set. CAN I PLEASE SHOW YOU WHAT I BLEW MY CASH ON NOW? (I know I’m joking a lot about overspending, but I am so happy with my scores. And, in a miraculous twist of fate, my travel to an upcoming wedding clocked in at a fraction of the price I’d allocated for the trip, so it all evened out! But this is NOT a normal thrifting experience for me, before you go thinkin’ that I’m some sort of heiress.)
What I Bought
While taking the first picture I showed you, Jess walked behind me and whispered that there was a REALLY good primary color tray at the neighboring table. I’d been inside the actual Downtown Modernism venue for less than 2 minutes – normally I recommend a full lap before making any purchases – but once I saw it, I had to bring it home! (Den and I christened this piece later that afternoon by piling it full of Buffalo Wild Wings takeout.)
I paid $100 and had no knowledge of the provenance or maker (and honestly, I was too excited to see the rest of the market to ask), but it turns out that it was hand-made in Italy by Manzoni Pietro for Vietri back in the 1970s. I had a feeling it was high-quality based on the proportions, finish, and wood stain, but I’M SO PLEASED!
I know what you’re saying: that’s an umbrella stand. You live in Los Angeles, one of the few American cities in which residents famously have little-to-no use for umbrellas. But hear me out: THIS WAS MY WHITE WHALE!
I spotted this 1960s Italian umbrella stand a few months ago on Facebook Marketplace, but missed out to a speedier buyer. This was devastating to me, as I had been hoping to use this piece as a north star (palette-wise, at least) in our living room design. I found the stand listed for sale on a few other vintage sites, but couldn’t swing the $1,800 price tag…so imagine my glee when I nabbed this lil’ number for TEN $10 BILLS. (That’s $100, if you’re not in the mood for mental math.) The next time we shoot my living room – it’s a work in progress right now! – this will have THE place of honor, right next to the front door. Keep your eyes peeled for it, okay?
This was the one that really did me in. I passed this vessel (with a built-in flower frog!) three times – and negotiated twice – before finally giving in and sending a Venmo for $270. It’s a one-off 1960s piece from the estate of a famous ceramicist whose name I am forgetting (criminal!!!!) and OH MY GOD, I LOVE IT. Seeing this weird little UFO vase on its sweet tripod legs moved me! It made me think about Dennis, who has a tattoo of an alien eating pizza on his arm, and I thought it’d echo the graphic shape of these $20 (!) lamps I scored at the Rose Bowl earlier this month.
I’m a big fan of simple styling – having a lot of stuff on my surfaces stresses me out – so I CANNOT WAIT to see this piece play the singular starring role in a future coffee table vignette. You know how Sarah Snook is about to play all 26 roles in The Picture of Dorian Gray on Broadway? This vase is the Sarah Snook of my coffee table setup. It does it all!
OKAY, I LIED. This was the piece that really did me in. A newly-upholstered, freshly-refinished Eames-style chair. (I believe it’s by Selig, based on the base and the comfort level – they’re famously the most comfortable replicas out there!) And I’ll be real: I paid – gulp – $1,200 for it, negotiated down from $1,400.
Den and I had been talking about a lounge chair for a while, and I had already homed in on an Eames-style chair for a few reasons – they’re timeless, they work with pretty much every style, and they’re easily source-able. I was planning to find one on Marketplace and have it reupholstered, but was struggling to find a workable piece with a salvageable wood frame and un-rusted base. I hadn’t anticipated that I’d find a piece at Downtown Modernism that would coordinate with our planned living room updates, but there it was! It works for the space and it takes a DIY or two off my plate – no complaints here.
After I drove it home (and Den carried it upstairs, bless him), it was an IMMEDIATE HIT. Den sat down, stretched out, and immediately asked me, “Are we going to fight over this chair?” The joke is on him, though – our cat, Buffalo, is OBSESSED with the ottoman. She races for it, she spends all day on it, she will hop up and walk all over your legs until you remove them so she can lounge. She physically cannot spend enough time on this ottoman, for reasons I cannot fully understand. (Turns out he is going to be fighting over the chair – just with an 11-pound senior feline, not me.)
Last but not least: I bought a cute old Myrtlewood bowl for a lone $10 bill. (It’s available for $30 on Etsy, if you’d like to grab one for yourself.) I love the ball feet, the size (perfect for topping coffee table books!), the wood tone, and that one day it could be used for holding change or buttons or some other small collection in a bedroom or bathroom. I like it! WILL I SEE YOU AT THE NEXT DOWNTOWN MODERNISM? Throwing it back to Bungo for her closing thoughts…
In the words of the great Hilary Duff, “Well, that’s my life. Thank you so much for spending time with me. I hope you enjoyed it, because I know I did.” Thrifting, flea marketing, and online vintage hunting are some of our favorite things to do, and getting to share our finds makes it even better. See you in April at the next one!
Oh, and Happy Halloween!
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
