GREAT SALES AND GOOD STORIES...

Great sales and good stories made up my first show at the Brooklyn Flea. Despite the forecasts for rain on Sunday, the weather held out and it was a beautiful, sunny day in Williamsburg.

We had traffic in the booth from the moment we started setting up. Many people stopped back again once they had scoured the flea. Compliments on the items and booth definitely made my day.

Bright fabrics and vintage photos from a local NYC photographer helped draw people in...

The set-ups in the front were ever changing as things sold and were replaced with other objects. We had one guy squeal with delight and run over this leather liquor travel set...

In the beginning we put out all the glassware and the tables looked full and overcrowded. Careful editing is always key and we ended up putting some of it away until later in the day. 

As a suggestion from my friend Tara of The Prippy Handbook, team Octavia & Brown sported brand new uniforms for the show. We gave out the "uniform discount" to anyone wearing a striped shirt later in the day...

Over all the show was fantastic. Thanks to everyone who came out to check out the booth. Can't wait to try it all again on August, 21...

SPOTTED IT...

I love seeing items that I sell on O&B show up in the pages of interior design magazines. The latest are these fabulous glasses that the team from Lonny Magazine styled in a portable bar for stylist, Lisa Stasiulewicz. 

Image courtesy of Lonny Magazine July/ August 2011 issue 

I found this set at an estate sale in Massachusetts. Love them!

Set of six silver rimmed glasses

GETTING READY...

This week, I'm in full prep mode for my first outdoor show on Sunday at the Williamsburg Flea. I've been playing around the set-ups this afternoon, trying to figure out what to bring and what to leave. While I'd love to bring everything, I don't want the booth to look too cluttered.

Here's where I am so far...

 I'm thinking about color blocking everything...

This one still needs a little more work. I think I need to add more height...

If anyone has any tips on setting up a great display, I would love to hear!

Oil Spill Response Market

The Oil Spill Response Market is up on Poppytalk Handmade and Octavia & Brown is featured seller! Be sure to check out the market between July 5 and July 30th for approximately 70 designers, artists, artisans and vintage shop owners are each donating one item from their "virtual tables" to help the cause. 

Each vendor will have an item listed "oil spill item" at their virtual tables (many of these items were specially made for this fundraiser). Once sold, they will be donating the proceeds of that sale to help the vulnerable communities threatened by the oil spill through Oxfam America who has a special online donation section. Click here for more info and here to visit the online fundraiser.

Octavia & Brown All Around Town...

It was a busy weekend at Octavia & Brown! Several of my vintage items were featured on the front page of Etsy and on Etsy's blog, the Storque. Check out the check blog post Mellow Sea here.

Also, this weekend was the first Octavia & Brown photo shoot in Brooklyn! Styled by my wonderfully talented friend Henriette and shot by amazing interiors photographer, Tom Judge, my vintage items looked awesome! Tom has a great eye for shooting interiors, you can check out some of his other work here.

I can't wait to share some of the photos, in the meantime, here are some of the items we used on the shoot. All are available at Octavia & Brown.

 

More stories from the shoot to follow soon... 

More Finds...

I am up to my eyeballs in vintage goodies from the last two trips I have taken to Brimfield's and Alameda Antiques by the Bay. Not to mention the items I have found at local thrift shops!

Here's a sneak peek of some upcoming listings...

Flea Market Sneak Peeks...

I went into the Antiques Show with a few items in mind this weekend, but of course the things that caught my eye were random and wonderful.  Here are a few of the vintage trinkets I collected over the weekend...

This fabulous pair would make great bookends...

This little clock would be perfect for a nightstand or desk...

Check out my shop Octavia & Brown for more...

Pleased to Meet You...

Welcome to the Octavia & Brown blog! My name is Liz and I have a passion for great design. I can't seem to walk by a thrift store or flea market without stopping by. This blog will be a place to share design inspiration, vintage goodies, DIY projects, and updates from my vintage shop.

A few things I believe in...
1. Great design can come from any era.
2. Everyone should have at least one item in their home that they REALLY, REALLY love (hopefully more).
3. Your home should be your happy place. 
4. Decorating shouldn’t give you a headache.
5. Flowers are always the perfect accessory. 
6. Finding vintage items you love shouldn’t break the bank.
7. Your lucite table and your Grandmother's wing chair can live happily together.
8. Needlepoint and monograms are always chic.
9. Vintage items make fantastic gifts.
10. Traveling provides the best inspiration and coffee table treasures.

I hope you'll stop back soon!