April 22, 2009

Canisters a la Paris.

These canisters traveled back from Paris with me several years ago...on my lap. In a box the size of a toaster oven. In my tiny (coach, mais oui) airplane seat. Ahhh...to be young and stupid.


But I love them. In fact, when I went to Paris I was obsessed with finding kitchen canisters en francais at the famous Clignancourt Marché aux Puces (flea market). They made it from my Pad du Bachelorette to their latest home in the shore house kitchen, on the built in shelf we inherited.


It's funny...When we first looked at the house, we were like "Ewwww...kitchen!" We DEFINITELY needed a new refrigerator off the bat, and planned on "living with" the rest of it for a while. But you know what? After some SERIOUS elbow grease (did I mention, "Ewww?"), mini DIYing, and the addition of some fun art...we kind of dig it. As in, I think we're keeping everything pretty much as-is. And aside from the refrigerator and dishwasher we needed and bought (on sale, of course) all of our improvements and furnishings to-date have cost well under $500.


You'll meet our kitschy kitchen in my next post, but today I'm guest blogging over at Fifi Flowers' blog as part of Paris month. Click over to learn more about my quest for the canisters, and to see Jean Martha's photos from her very recent trip to the Clignancourt flea en Paris.

And since it's Earth Day, be sure to get out and smell (or plant) the flowers...or clean the beaches...or buy from your local farmers. The Iris bulbs I planted last Earth Day bloomed for the first time this weekend...I cannot believe how huge they got in one year! This beauty's over three feet tall...

25 comments:

Tina said...

Oh Laura, I totally dig those canisters and I can't believe you did your kitchen improvements for under $500!!! That's so great. I'd love to see a full pic of the kitchen. I'll also have to check out your guest blogging over at fififlowers.
Blessings and have a great day
T

Lorrie said...

Great canisters Laura--they were definitely worth carrying back on your lap all the way from Paris!

Keetha Broyles said...

Those canisters were totally worth the discomfort of the boxed in plane ride. Really cool.

Fifi Flowers said...

Fun to have you guest blogging! I am soooo going to steal those flowers in this post!
Enjoy your day!
Merci Beaucoup!
Fifi

Jean Martha said...

Love the canisters!!!

Queen B. said...

love the canisters !!!!!!!!!!

s. pearce feldman said...

LOVE those canisters! can't wait to make my own trip over there...

...also love your link to surf rider foundation. i really do think people living near the ocean have a greater respect for the earth than those who have never experienced the ocean's full power. everything at the shore is so much more cyclical, and it proves that everyday.

j.cro said...

I love both blog posts. I need a little respite from the crap weather... I know we need the rain but I'm a little sick of it.

On the bright side, I ordered my seeds for my container garden. Can't wait til they arrive. That's my part for earth day.

Linda Lou said...

Love the canisters and the whole display that you got going there-I cant wait to see what you did to the shorehouse kitchen!

Joyce said...

I love those canisters. Would it help to know that I would have carried them on my head to bring them home. xoxo

Kwana said...

Love the canisters and your tour over FiFi's. So much fun. I'm flea market crazy. No good ones in Westchester.

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Those are beautiful! I LOVE those! What treasures you have!
Glad you are feeling better, friend.

A johnson bros plate for a dollar? You made out like a bandit!

Freckles Chick said...

As a self-procalimed Francophile, I LOVE these canisters! Now I'm reaching far back into my memory (5 yrs of French class) to translate each word, LOL!

Can't wait to see your kitchen! I agree, in this day and age of excessive renovations and McMansions, as long as YOU'RE happy with it, that's all that matters.

desiree said...

LOVE those canisters! Young and stupid...thank God! Your iris' look great as well. I love spring and all the new growth!

beachy in the burbs said...

I love those canisters too! Well worth carrying home :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Those canisters are fabulous souvenirs Laura! I once brought back a stained glass lamp on my lap on a plane so I understand the "need"..lol

You kitchen shelf is so pretty too! I love the beachy things.

Lookig forward to seeing the rest of your kitchen!

Leciawp said...

I love these canisters!

Cate said...

the canisters are well worth babying across the ocean. they are lovely. i think, also, the fact that you loved them enough to do that is a beautiful thing.

ok, i'm going over to fifi's-cause how could i miss paris week? i mean, please!

Rue said...

Good morning Laura :)

Your canisters are so sweet! I would love to have a story like yours, but I've never been to Paris. My brother has though... hmpf. So not fair!

I can't wait to see your kitchen!!
Oh and that was so sweet of Mr. Shorehouse to buy Penelope for you :)

xoxo,
rue

pve design said...

...and what is in those canisters? I have always loved the Jonathan Adler canisters!
pve

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love your canisters, Laura! And I love your irises, too. WOW!

XO,

Sheila

N said...

Love the canisters. And you know what...never rue being young and silly for that...there is nothing better than having your travels come home with you.

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
Love the canisters. I didn't get to go to flea markets while in Paris, and probably won't this summer when we are there for only 2 days. Oh well...you know what that means. Gotta go again.

Love your Iris...I'm off to check out Fifi's blog.
:)Diane

Maya said...

Just came back from Paris (...., meaning Fifi's)..., the canisters are awesome and a great souvenir too.

Magpie said...

I'd have carried those canisters home from Paris too. They are beautiful.