I can’t travel without doing a little bit of antique shopping, right? Not only is it my hobby, but it’s my business. It’s my cross to bear and I must do it. So, I did my duty on Friday afternoon and checked out a couple of suggestions from my readers.
First up was The French Nest in Orlando. I was really dumb and didn’t bring my nice camera, so I snapped some pictures with my phone, but they were all blurry and poorly lit and definitely didn’t do this amazing shop any justice.
I stepped through the doors and could hardly even shop, because I was flooded with inspiration and creative sustenance. The vignettes are breath-taking. Contrasts, textures, natural elements, sparkles, chippy paint, warm woods, sleek metals…decor heaven. Not only did the shop look beautiful, but the prices were reasonable and there was a 25% off sale running on everything in the store. Marsha, one of the owners and the woman who rang up my sale was a delight as well. This spot is worth missing an afternoon at Disney for, in my opinion.
I purchased three antique PO Box doors…
…a dress form for my space at Lucketts…
(Marsha told me this form’s name is Janet.)
…some European tea towels, a four tiered antique wire office organizer, a large basket, a small cloche and a few other goodies.
We went down the road to The Orange Tree Antique Mall in Winter Park and a few more things caught my eye. This stop was a pretty traditional antique mall, but it’s much bigger inside than you think. There were a ton of vendors and some great things. I came home with…
…some stag antlers…
…a chandelier…
…a stamp holder, a large metal bin, some European burlap sacks and a few other things. We drove by a few more promising places, but didn’t have the time (or the space) to do anymore hunting. I hope to hit some of those next visit.
Now, I need to pack it all and get it home. Do you think TSA would be weirded out if I try to take the top half of a dress form with me through security?
39 Responses
The P.O. doors are amazing. I can hardly wait to see what you do with them. What an awesome store and a nice bonus of a discount!
LOL! I'm thinkin' that's a no no.
You founds some amazing things!
I have a store that is just down the street…. Beth Nolen Interiors… I sure hope you stopped in for a visit! Just bought some Annie Sloan paint thanks to you….can't wait to get something done to put in my shop!
umnnnn you can say janet is your alter ego and you cannot go anywhere without her. I love all your finds but my favorites of are Janet and the chandy! Oh and the post office thingy's are way cool, wish I could shop at Luckets but it is a little ways from Texas.
Happy antique hunting!
Sherry
Forget Disney, nothing makes me want to visit Orlando more than this post! 😉
Oh, you were at my Mall, Orange Tree, I was there for a couple hours on Friday! But I missed you! I bet you saw my space, it was the only shabby white booth. It is deceiving, how large it is on the inside! Glad you enjoyed your antiquing in Orlando!
Carol
Great finds, Marian! I LOVE the PO box doors and the dress form. The chandelier is very pretty too. For me antique shopping is definitely much more fun than a day in any theme park could be.
Have a great Sunday!
Hugs,
Julia
Ok, I was thinking you must have driven, how are you gonna get that stuff home??? Loving every bit of it!
The French Nest grrrls rock. I met them at Renningers Mt. Dora this summer. If their booth was any indication, I can't image how awe-inspiring their shop is….. Good finds! XOX
i never would have pegged you for an antlers girl. 😉 love the stuff you got! Cant wait to see what you do with it!!
I can't wait to see what you do with the PO box doors! I bought one years ago- because I liked it- but I haven't been able to figure out what to do with it.
i just love your chandelier. please tell me that mr. mustard seed will let you keep it? 🙂
do it! do it! more drama, please. you owe it to your readers.
michele
weirding out the TSA is fun. i recently brought a life-size, magnetic, disarticulated human skull with me on the plane — it's fake, and brightly-colored plastic, but must've looked strange on their scanner because they FREAKED THE HECK OUT. not being a huge fan of the TSA, i found it quite gratifying. =)
Yes they would I am sure!! Ha!!
Great finds!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Wow, some great finds, though I wouldn't fight ya over the antlers. Dying to know what you'll use em' for though! 🙂 Oh by the way, you job is also called shop therapy, you know, to keep ya healthy!
Marian ~ You found wayyyy cool stuff! You are cracking me up trying to get it home ~ that is always my dilemma when traveling ~
Wonderful finds. I do hope you intend to keep that gorgeous chandelier!
Great Shopping! Of course…I am not surprized… you are Miss Mustard Seed afterall…
blessings. Dixie
Nah…just keep calling her Janet and walk with her through security. Kinda like the movie with the guy who was in love with a mannequin…
janet would probably need her own ticket.
WOW!!! the French Nest is literally 2 blocks from my house!!!
I just drove by there about 45 minutes ago!! There are many great shops in this area I wish that I knew you were going to be here, I would have invited you in for some refreshments.
I have never formally introduced myself to you but I have been looking@ this blog almost daily for months now. I have truly been inspired by your work.
thanks for what you give.
kindest regards,
Laura
Thanks for sharing this!!!! I live in Orlando and never knew these shops where here!!! I'm so excited to go check them out.
Desiree
What lovely finds! I'm really looking forward to seeing them after they've been 'mustardized' 🙂 You can ship items safely and inexpensively by Greyhound (but I have a feeling you already know that!)
http://suebees-karensue.blogspot.com/2011/07/wongjackbailey-and-art-angels-warninga.html
OMGoodness Marian! I wish you would have had given you our address at Art Angels(close to the airport). Above is a post I did about the shop. I really think you would have liked it, it's right up your alley!!!
French Nest is a beautiful shop, Marsha has even bought from us…
Hope your Orlando stay was nice. I'm in Montana on vacation too.
Safe trip home!!!!
I am so glad you got to go to French Nest and Orange Tree. My favorties, sorry you missed Halley's and Art Angels Market, those are great as well. The shop owners are awesome. I have met Janet and glad she went home with you, Marsha is a dear. I hope you saw Sweet Pea the deer over the register!
If you're in Asheville there are some great stores here as well. Miss my Orlando friends. diane
Put a blanket around it swaddled up like a small child and tell them your baby is sleeping and you don't want to disturb her and neither do they if they want to be able to hear tomorrow and the next day and the next. Hope that would send you through. lol Glad you found some good stuff in Florida. Safe travels home.
Janet looks like she has a style number or serial number. I wonder if there is a website where she can find her long lost siblings? What size is she, I couldn't read it. In the 1950's my 5 foot 2 inch 115 pound mother was a size ten. It is amazing how times have changed. Ann
Looks like great finds…love the antlers!!
That Chandy is Fabulous!!!!
lol! They'll probably make you buy an extra ticket, Marian! lolol! Great finds, girl! Take me with you next time, ok??? lol!
xoxo laurie
Love the finds! Can't wait to see how you got it all home 🙂
Stephanie
http://junkernewbie.blogspot.com
I hope you were able to see the last Space Shuttle launch while you were here! It is spectacular — nothing like it in the world!
Hi all- I am new to Orlando and I love Miss Mustard Seed's Blog. I also heart the French Nest!!!! If you live in Orlando and want to join me for a day of shopping and lunch? I need friends who love to junk and create. Email me if you are intrested. jodi.kelley@hotmail.com
I live about 5 min from Winter Park and have never heard of those 2 stores. I keep being told there are no good antique stores around. They are now on my to do list this week! Thanks Marian, hope you had a blast here and the heat wasn't too crazy for you!
Meg
I'll be visiting Orlando soon. Thanks so much for a list of interesting stores to visit. If Janet gets a pat down or a wanding from TSA, take pictures!!
I just found your blog today (through the flea-market style mag) and boy was I pleasantly surprised! Not only do I love your blog, but the first post was about antique shops in Orlando! I visit there quite frequently, and am going back in two weeks. I live in Miami, where antiques are "eh" and usually overpriced (or way too upscale) so a FRENCH store?!? In ORLANDO?!? This I MUST see (Francophile heeeere!!) Anyway, I will definitely be checking that out when I go back. As for you, I don't know if you're still there, but there's this REALLY cute antique store at this address: 5515 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL … really inspiring vingettes, lots of farmhousey, french, shabby chic type stuff 🙂 Check it out if you have the chance 🙂
PS
I also just found that Orange Tree place a few weeks ago. It was huge!! The people were so nice too – the lady told my daughter if she was good she could get something out of the "toychest" – she got a kick out of it!
I love the chandelier! Fantastic finds!
Wow, you found some great stuff!! Pleeeeeaaase take pictures of getting Janet through airline security!! Have fun!