Out And About: The Alameda Point Antiques Faire

This week's Out And About features the East Bay's Alameda Point Antiques Faire.  Taking place on the first Sunday of every month, we definitely wanted to make the trip last weekend.  True to its reputation, the flea market was packed with creatively dressed people, tons of vendors offering unique wares, and an interesting array of food trucks (post on the latter will follow soon).   There was definitely something for everyone.  We braved the fair with our 3 kids, who casually and patiently walked the aisles occasionally stopping to check out vintage toys and sporting goods, while the adults eyed mid-century furniture , art and accessories for the new house.  Take a look at some of our Sunday market images:

 

Visiting flea markets are one of my most favorite things to do.   I tend to search out chairs, vintage clothing and I seem strangely attracted to bakelite bracelets, even though I rarely wear them.  What do you gravitate towards while scouting flea markets?

Out And About: The Beach Chalet

Before showing our children the Golden Gate Bridge,  we drove through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach and lunched at the Beach Chalet.  With its live music, beach blankets, and a refreshing ocean breeze,  the  restaurant's picnic sitting area turned out to be the perfect way to introduce the family to Northern California.  After chilling on the lawn, eating yummy food and befriending many a four-legged creature, we took the kids "across the street" to experience the Pacific Ocean!

Out And About: Yayla Tribal Rugs

In search of floor coverings  for our California house, my husband and I dropped in at Yayla Tribal Rugs to go through piles of  colorfully patterned and intricately detailed carpets in hopes to find the ones destined to make the trip West with us.  A very patient and knowledgeable sales team (with some really strong arms), provides the potential buyers with lessons in history, craftsmanship and philanthropy.  Take a look at some of our favorites and stay posted for the rug reveal, when the two we picked take center stage.

Can anyone guess which two are coming to California with us?!

Below are photos taken by Cambridge photographer Kristen Emack.  It just so happened that she was snapping shots of rugs at Yayla the same week we were shopping for some.  Thank you, Kristen, for sharing your artful images with Cocoon Home.

Out And About: Hudson Boston

This week's Out And About  features another favorite South End shop:  Hudson.  Artfully merchandised home accessories, textiles, vintage items and furniture pieces create a home store that uniquely combines traditional New England style with contemporary flair.  Along with foundation lines from Oly and Bungalow 5, owner Jill Goldberg masterfully curates seasonal items to keep the shop current and interesting.  Each visit to this delightful store guarantees I'll find a new 'must-have', either for a client or for myself. Take a look at a few of my latest favorites:

I'm thinking that the carpet covered stools (in the first photo) would look fantastic in our California home. What items are you coveting?!

Hudson is located at 12 Union Park Street in Boston

Out And About: Reside's Reader Giveaway

With our departure from New England on the horizon, I'm making every effort to visit all my favorite spots one last time.  That includes stores I love both on personal and professional levels, i.e., places where I shop for my clients and for myself.  Last week, while in the South End, I stopped by Reside.  With two locations, one in Cambridge and another in Boston, Reside is the place to find 20th century modern furniture, lighting and accessories.  Meticulously curated mid-century items make up most of their ever changing inventory, but they also carry many other period pieces, all stemming from a time when furniture building was a craft and quality mattered more than quantity.  Buying any Reside piece is a worthwhile investment.   Inventory of original modern furnishings is on the rise due to so many baby boomers downsizing and moving on with their lives.  Whether you're a collector or just looking for a unique find, now is the time to shop.  Take a look at some of my favorite store's offerings and  enter to win a mid-century design oil and vinegar set from Reside (featured below):

Enter to win a oil and vinegar set designed by Kenji Fujita by visiting Reside's online collection and sharing what items you like most below.  Contest ends at midnight on 6/18/2012.  Good Luck!!!

Many thanks to Pamela of Reside for contributing our latest reader giveaway and for providing Cambridge and Boston with such great places to shop for mid-century modern!