Paris brocantes, outdoor markets selling second-hand goods, are a far cry from the weekend markets of my Georgia youth, where small reptiles and bunnies could be purchased alongside tables of socks, rusty garden tools and teakettles. Some brocantes are run by associations with professional exhibitors selling antiques and period objects, while others resemble a large neighborhood tag sale with collectors and amateurs offering delightful curios and household items. Naturally, these citywide street fairs are a great place to pick up an interesting gift or souvenir. read more

You can tell a lot about a person from what’s on their coffee table. Besides adding a personal touch to home decor, an interesting selection of coffee table books can spark conversations, fill awkward silences and double as an inexpensive way to display art—all while hiding the water rings on your furniture. (They also make great gifts!) So what do you want to say about yourself through your displayed reading material? Check out our selection of eBay’s coolest coffee table books and pick one that piques your interest. read more

Nikki Dalrymple’s background as a television producer and set designer for HBO, National Geographic, PBS, and the Discovery Channel prepared this thirty-something tastemaker for her second career as antique scavenger, shop owner, and designer. When Dalrymple moved to Boston with her husband five years ago, she realized she was ready for a change and quickly snagged a job managing Good in Beacon Hill, one of the city’s most impeccably stocked shops (think vintage bowls, John Derian plates, and Mizu jewelry). Soon, Dalyrymple signed a lease on a space in Boston’s North End and Acquire was born. September marks the shops two-year anniversary, and what is surely just the beginning of a thriving design career for Dalrymple. read more

As part of our baby nursery decorating series, contributor Chris Frey imagines a room inspired by the French countryside. read more

Interior designer Kristine Mullaney of Kristine Mullaney Design, is drawn to pieces that are ultra-sophisticated but with an approachable (read: livable) edge. Known for their understated elegance, the rooms she curates are luxurious, sharp and layered with pieces from a variety of time periods. read more