A French Brocante in California ~ Welcome to The Irresistible Paris Party


First, I would like to say thank you to Anita for hosting this event. I’m blessed to know Anita personally, as she is married to my handsome brother (Mr. Rattus). You will not find a more caring soul on this earth. I know by your comments that many of you know this already.

Join with me in the inspiration for my blog post on Irresistible Paris . . .

I wanted to share with you a bit of my Francophile ways, so I searched out a bit of Paris, France, where I live. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to look too far, as a wonderful event was being hosted in Sonoma, California. I grabbed my trusty camera and drove to Sonoma on Sunday to photograph it, and to take you on a California French Brocante tour with me.

For the last nine years, Chateau Sonoma Antiques, owned by Sarah Anderson, has been home to an authentic French Flea Market, with vendors specializing in everything French and wonderful.

Sarah’s store is quintessentially French in design. She very kindly allowed me to photograph her store and the event. I began at the door, where I fell in love with this incredibly creative peacock display.




I think this room is fabulous, from the balloon chandelier to the pairing of the elegant modern acrylic table and antique style furniture pieces.




I’m a big believer in mixing it up. Design gets too stagnant for me if it’s all from the same period. I love the flow here, and the sweet little water balls under the table add just the right whimsical touch.



A vintage Eiffel tower on an antique book display. This would be perfect in a gentleman’s study.




I think this is the most gorgeous Santo I’ve ever laid eyes on.




I adore these antique French wedding displays. Please check out my post here on their history. Chateau Sonoma had several of these beauties.



I made my way out through the French doors and into the brocante itself. The quaint courtyard area was filled with French treasures.

I met some wonderful people at this event. Among them were Trinidad and Martin, of Atelier de Campagne. When I introduced myself to Trinidad, he was kind and charming. We spoke of blogging and their upcoming trip to France.



I loved the vignettes that Trinidad displayed in the Atelier de Campagne space.












Trinidad and Martin were debating about who would be toting all of their finds in France. If you’re reading this, you two, I hope you chronicle your adventures for us.




Another great vendor, Michelle Sekula, had some serious eye candy. I wanted to bring home everything in her glass display cases.




I tried to photograph a few of her things through the glass.


Hope you’re enjoying your brocante tour with moi . . .
Below are more photos, so please sit back and enjoy.

















I have to leave you with this mini montage of Sarah. As I said, she was so very nice when I asked to photograph her event, even though she was busy making sure her customers were well taken care of.


Now please go and enjoy more French Inspirations by clicking here for Castles Crowns and Cottages. I look forward to visiting you all.

67 comments:

Splenderosa said...

Fabulous, wonderful, loving and so so charming. Thank you for taking us to a little piece of Paris in the California countryside. I would die to have this mirror. xx's

Unknown said...

buongiono Nancy I LOVED your Brocante tour one of my Pashions and espaecilly when i saw a carriage foot warmer with succulents in it !! I have one in weird green also from paris enjoy the day its lovely to see so many aspects Love fay xx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

You did it again ma chère......this is the world I love and the time-worn pieces speak volumes of craftsmanship AND life. Someone used these items and then to see each scratch and chipped area gives me chills to just IMAGINE who had it. YOU ARE SO CLASSY, YOU SEE THE BEAUTY IN SO MUCH. We miss you so much, but we shall see each other again. My biggest dream would be to BALADER with YOU in France...your choice...South of France? Paris? Le Perigord where Ruben wants to retire? It is all SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE...merci mille fois ma belle...have fun..Anita

Tiff said...

Your images are so delicious! I wish to be walking around that market, gazing at all that gorgeousness! So many tempting things! X

Barbara said...

How beautiful! Thank you for this lovely tour and for joining Anita so I could meet you! Yes, I agree, that's a lovely Santos and you have me panting to get back to Paris!

Maggie said...

Loved being a chineur with you in Sonoma today, the brocante is delightful, it truly felt as if we were at Chatou.
Merci beaucoup et bon weekend
Maggie @ Normandy Life

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Oh that was so much fun! Thank you Nancy for these fab photos of this wonderful French brocante a la California...I saw some truly sumptuous treasures! Hope your weekend is a good one...:)

Deborah said...

So happy to meet you!
Anita is my sweet friend!
I love your photos and thank you for the tour..looking forward to getting to know you!
I couldnt see a follower button so Ive saved you to my favourites!

Deborah xo

d e l i g h t said...

Love the tour of this beautiful place! I may have to drive over and visit it! Thanks for sharing.
Linda

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Ahhh... relaxed and delighted. Thanks, dear one! Blessings.

The French Bear said...

Nancy, what a wondeful tour....so many gorgoeus things...I agree, the santos is so charming, how fabulous to have him in an entry way!!!! Love all the treasures and your so correct, it is a charming shop!!!
Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Rattus Scribus said...

Nancy,

What a beautiful tour. Great pics. Anita and I would have had so much fun with you there. I miss you so much.

Ruben

Rae said...

How wonderful to meet you along the way while in our Paris fun! Anita is so special and lovely! I'm sure it's just wonderful having family get together's with you all!! So lovely to let us shop along the way...so many beautiful Frenchy things! I'm following along...don't really want to leave but there's more places to see here in Paris.
Your sweet place was the first!

Anonymous said...

Hi
I am visiting for the Parisian Party!!!
Sitting here in Scotland, "oohing" and "aahing" over the beautiful post you have created.
Wishes
Lynne

"Create Beauty" said...

Nancy, I am swooning with delight!

What a delightful post! So fun to visit that amazing market with you.

Isn't this a FUN party?!?!?!

~ Violet

Karena said...

Hi Nancy I love your post and have mine up even with blogger issues!! Come and visit!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

deb famularo said...

Bonjour Nancy!! Ah, you are Anita's SIL! It's so nice to "meet" you! Anita is one of the dearest souls I have ever come across!! I am from San Francisco and living in TX now. I love Sonoma! Your photographs, omg, I love everything you showed! That is so my taste! You make me even more homesick for CA now!!! Thanks for the beautiful photos and for visiting my blog! au revoirxOxO

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Bonjour Nancy!
Your place is one of my favorite stops... Oh How I love your images and MUSIC.. Dear Anita has put together such a magical party, no?
Thank you for the beautiful tour!!
Blessings,
Penny

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

I was so excited about your post I forgot to thank you for your sweet words about Bebe.. Thank you!!!

Rattus Scribus said...

Oh, Nancy, you took the words right out of my mouth. We must all go to France together. Let's plot and plan and scheme.

Love
Ruben

Meg said...

That looks splendid! The combination of rough and polished is perfect!

Anne said...

Its a delight to 'meet' you, Nancy, and to get to see this amazing event. I'm almost overwhelmed by the beauty of it all!

Hearts Turned said...

How beautiful! I love that you found so much of Paris where you live...wonderful!

I live just down the road a bit--in Monterey...another beautiful place...

Thank-you for sharing your lovely photos!

Julie

Sarah said...

Delightful, Nancy. I feel as if I've been strolling about the brocantes of France. Thank you for introducing us to Chateau Sonoma Antiques. I've made note of it in my files for my next visit to northern CA. Lovely!
Bon weekend! ~ Sarah

Anonymous said...

What beautiful photos...so wish I could have been there! I just discovered your blog: being an addicted Francophile, I am continually searching for more!
Lots of inspiration here; thanks so much...

hi-d said...

Beautiful post! Lovely images. I adore that mirror. Simply gorgeous. How blessed you are to have Anita as your sister-in-law. I came across her blog recently and she has got to be one of the sweetest people out there.

Have a lovely weekend!
Heidi

Annalisa - LISA LIBELLE said...

Hello Nancy! Nice to meet you and thanks for your comment!
Wonderful Photos ... And nice flea market! I like flea market soooooo much. Lovelly from Switzerland, LISA LIBELLE

Debi said...

Nancy,
Nice to see you! What a wonderful tour! Beautiful photos and such a fun party, Anita is so sweet to have hosted this!Seems we can always find a touch of Paris no matter where we live!
xo
Debi

Anonymous said...

We have nothing like that here. I am so jealous and loved every minute of your tour. Now I can take you on some civil war tours if you are so inclined. :) Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. And it's so nice to meet you. ~

Rosie said...

Oh Nancy,
Where to begin...Firstly, to have our girl Anita as a sister in law, would be pure bliss :)
Now, Before I begin to tell you of all the goodness, that I want to scoop up from that perfect shop...I must take out my lace hanky and wipe the drool delicately from my bottom lip. There is NOTHING that does not make me smile...what a perfectly charming world you live in. Thanks so much for sharing this Paris tour with us all...au revoir pour l'instant...Rosie

Marie Söderberg said...

woaw this is fabolous pictures :)) love them all, this is a great party ::)) welcome to visit my Paris Post //Marie

Susan said...

Oh, I would love to be touring around your french brocante!
Il est tres bon! Thank you for sharing! Merci!
Blessings!

Victoria Sayer said...

G'day Nancy!
I really enjoyed walking through your wonderful photos of amazing treasures. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Paris Ponderings to you,
~Vicki

Julie@beingRUBY said...

What a gorgeous gorgeous store and market.. I could go a little crazy here for sure!! good thing I am half a world away..

Have a lovely weekend.. and thanks for popping by my way.. ciao xxx Julie

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Nancy,

It was wonderful to discover you and your beautiful blog.
Thanks so much for taking us along to this fabulous French market and for visiting me today.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

The French Hutch said...

Oh you delightful girl, lets go to Paris, and I want to do California shopping French Style with you. Your post is delightful. I have loved getting to know Anita, and your brother is one lucky guy. She is a sweetie for sure. I enjoyed all of your photographs. If I am ever anywhere near Sonoma, I will visit Chateau Sonoma Antiques. What a wonderful place to loose ones self for a while.....
Hope your enjoying your holiday weekend.

~Emily
The French Hutch

M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances Russell said...

This is so beautiful and so well photographed! Love that same room as you did ..... parfait! Thank-you for visiting me and I have loved meeting you!
best wishes
Frances

Cindy Swanson said...

Wonderful photographs! What a great idea, to find a piece of Paris in your own backyard. And how awesome that you're related to Anita! She's one of my favorite people I've ever encountered in the blogosphere.

Blessings!

Cindy @ Notes in the Key of Life

Charlotta Ward said...

Magnifique. I love this post and how you brought a piece of France to us from California.

Tres jolie.

x Charlotta

Dawne Boynton Polis said...

What a Marvelous post! I'm so glad to be at this party with you and all these other "French" friends,and I'm thrilled to find your blog! Such beauty and elegance here.
Je reviendrai!
Dawne at Quiddity2

Stacey said...

très magnifique! i loved your interpretation! i'm having such a fun time at this party! XX

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Isn't this a fun little party?.... Loved your tour. I so wish we had something like that here, in the Pacific Northwest..... but, alas, all we seem to have is a LOT of rain.

Have a wonderful day.... enjoying Paris. :-)

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Denise said...

My dear it's so nice to "meet" you.I enjoyed my time with you.I visited all three of your blogs.First,Lovely to join you in Paris.Second,Your places to visit,how fun.Have you found any British/Irish countrysides to visit? Third, and Oh to die for,YOUR SHOES!

Martina said...

Hi Nancy, so nice meeting you - and seeing these sweet Paris in California pix, so many of them and so nicely put together! I have a fun day visiting all these Paris inspired posts today - hope to see you again!

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Nancy,
Love your Paris Fête post. A little bit of France in California. Your images are marvelous. This has been so much fun! We need to talk again soon!
Good week,
Mimi

Lorraine said...

What a beautiful shop, I love everything about it. Your pictures are beautiful. I hope to get up to Napa/Sonoma one of these days, and you've given me another reason to visit!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Nancy...so nice to meet you at the Paris Party!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed your brocante tour...just the right place for a wander through!!! Thank you for your healing wishes for my arm...so much appreciated...Dzintra

Rhonda's Rose Cottage Designs said...

Hello ! I was your neighbor back in the spring issue 2009 of the Porch magazine . I popped into your blog & oh what fun to see this great Brocante here in the USA ! Great pictures & post ! What Fun ! Happy Memorial Day ! Hugs, Rhonda

lvroftiques said...

Nancy I'm doing some serious salivating! Such great shots my friend! And I'm green with envy that you got to meet Trinidad and Martin....The heck with Brad Pitt or Hollywood movie stars *winks* I'm in awe of those two! Lol! Vanna

Christmas-etc... said...

Oh my! The talent runs in the family!! So enjoyed meeting you through Anita's party!!
I'm following along!
Ann

Christmas-etc... said...

Sorry... can't seem to find the follow button... :(
Blessings!
Ann (Again!)

L'Elégante said...

Magnifique ! On se croirait à Paris.

Elaine said...

What a fabulous event. Nice that you were allowed to photograph it.

Love the peacock display and that gorgeous balloon chandelier. I would love to hang that in my home!

M. Reka said...

Really beautiful shop, I love everything about it. Your images are so beautiful!

Short Poems

koralee said...

I spy so many lovely treasures I want to take home...thank you for visiting be the other day!

How blessed you are to call Anita your sister-in-law! Hugs for a great week. xoxo

roseroomnz.com said...

Nancy, I would have felt like I had died and gone to heaven! Rachaelxo

Sandra Evertson said...

Absolutely Divine!
Sandra Evertson

NeereAnDear said...

Oh to be surrounded by such beauty .... I think it would be difficult to pick one thing to bring home ... Beautiful photos ...

SENDING HUGS
JO

rochambeau said...

Dear Nancy,
What a beautiful post. Filled with lovely treasures. Your sister in law Anita is a beautiful person, you can tell by her words. How fortunate that out of all the people in the world your brother married her!

xox
Constance

Atelier de Campagne said...

Hi Nancy! What a lovely post! We are all so grateful but especially for having met you and spending some time chatting. Hope you make it to one of our events in Corralitos. Anita and I connected also.

Hugs,

Trinidad

Marysol said...

Oh dear heaven — All this eye candy is bound to put me in a sugar coma!

That daybed and the charming, rusty old horse would've been flying back home with me — one way or another.

And you'd have to pry my fingers off the white framed mirror. And don't even get me started on the white pottery. I don't think my heart can take this.



Thank you Nancy, for all the joy you squeezed into one blog entry!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

NANCY MA BELLE! Thank you for coming and merci beaucoup for participating in the Paris post! We had a blast and it is always so fun to meet new friends....I have meet such gracious people along the way and Oh how delicious your post forever will be! LOVE THOSE PEACOCKS!!! Anita

LW said...

French eye candy to the max…
What a beautiful post this is Nancy and those peacocks are stunning.
I would have come home with very empty pockets …

Have a wonderful weekend,
Louise

fee @ chipper nelly said...

OMGoodness - I know I'm late for the party (fashionably?) but still loving having a look around (thanks for visiting me too)
I could gaze at these images for ages - how lucky to live in California but have a genuine french flea market near by.
What a treat. And glad to hear that Anita is as lovely in 'real life' as she seems on her very beautiful blog. My OH LOVES any comment she leaves on mine and declares her 'eloquently nuts'!

thanks for sharing...off for a little look around your blog
fee @ chipper nelly

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Oh my gosh, so many gorgeous treasures and beautiful displays, Nancy!!!

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Aw, how wonderful Anita is your sister in~law!!!! She is so so lovely!!!! It's been a joy getting to know her in blogland!
What a magnefique post! I would to visit Sarah's store, so many gorgeous things!
xo
gi gi

Bohemian said...

OMG the Peacock Display, the Vintage White Doors... every vignette is magnificent... I'd need a U-Haul to bring back everything I would have fallen in Love with! *swooning* This was one fabulous Show! Thanks for taking us along on the virtual Tour... only wish I could have beheld all of this fabulousness in person!!!

Dawn... The Bohemian