Brocante – What in the World is Brocante?

Brocante –

Brocante? What in the world is Brocante, you ask.  Furthermore, who cares? Grab a seat and let’s talk about brocante!

Generally speaking,  the definitions of  Brocante include the terms vintage or second hand items that are sold at a  flea market or similar venue.  It is a French term that can mean regularly held events such as flea markets.  One who sells antique and vintage goods are called brocanteurs in France.  I guess you could call me a former brocanteur since I used to set up at flea markets, antique shows and hold estate sales!

The term , brocante, may have originated from the Dutch word brok, meaning a piece or fragment.  This makes sense as collectors can find various pieces and things to either repurpose or to use as originally intended.  The phrase “bric-à-brac” used to describe decorative trinkets comes from this idea of gathering bits and pieces!

 

As for who cares about the meaning of brocante, the answer is simple!  Anyone who loves vintage, second hand or repurposed items is interested in brocante!

Where to find Brocante

If traveling to Paris to visit a true brocante market isn’t possible right now, where can you find items similar to ones you would see at a brocante? Local flea markets, antique shows, and even antique shops are great venues to find unique brocante style items.

The spring events or shows are generally great venues to get pieces for your garden or other outside uses.  I was fortunate to be able to attend the Round Top, Tx spring show last March.  I even found a treasure or two!

Local antique shops can be a wonderful resource for vintage or flea market style items.

Garage Sales, Tag Sales and Estate Sales are excellent places to find your favorite items.

Facebook Marketplace and Craig’s List are two other sources of places to find brocante .  My cousin in Indianapolis found this piece for me on Craig’s List in Zionsville, IN a couple of years ago.

I brought it to Florida and now use it in my office.  It is a piece of brocante that holds other pieces of brocante!  My unique style of decorating that I call “Kim Style” is rooted in world of brocante!

Auctions are another great places to find brocante.  As part of my downsizing process, I sent a number of  items that would be considered brocante to the auction.  You can read about the downsizing process here:

and here:

and even here:

Yes, I know…. the downsizing was a long process.  While the farmhouse was sold in May 2021, I am still trying to find places to store all my things!

Sometimes, a person can even shop their own house to find vintage items that they had forgotten they had.

Or they can repurpose a vintage item in order to give it new life!

I used the old built in cabinet to make a stand for the old swing.  The stand won’t last long being flat on the ground but it worked for my purpose!

Where to use Brocante

Brocante can be used to decorate or accent areas inside your home or outside.  Use the items as they were originally intended or you can repurpose them.  In the photo below, I use an old hog feeder to hold a patriotic display.

When I had the flower shop, people would often times bring items they no longer wanted and just give them to me.  One item was an old rusty can that still had green and red lettering on it and a checkerboard pattern.  It was large enough to put an artificial Christmas tree in.

In the right hand corner of the above picture is one of the conservatories by Dad made me.  He was a little leery of making it as he always said he wasn’t a carpenter but I think he did a great job.  It is currently in our lanai waiting to be filled with plants or pots or  who knows what!

I found this old lard bucket in the backroom of the farmhouse.  I used it to hold artificial hydrangeas in front of the fireplace.  The piece of fence and the old garden tools could be considered brocante items too!

Old doors can be used in a variety of ways. I share a few ideas in this post Curious About How To Use An Old Door

and a few more ideas in this post: Architectural Salvage Decorating Ideas

All it takes is imagination! Now when Dave fusses at me and accuses me of “junking up the Florida house” , I can say “It’s not junk, its Brocante!”

Mother’s Day Forget Me Knot Dough Bowl Display

To Learn more :

What is Brocante Style?

Save this pin for later!

For a Few Ways to Use Brocante In Your Garden:

Whimsical Upcycled Garden Container