What did I buy at Red Chair?

The image above from the Romantic Homes article is what drew me to Red Chair. I just knew a love affair was blossoming even before I passed under the little bright red chair hanging above the entry. Stepping across the threshold didn't disappoint, I was immediately enveloped by old French villages, lavender fields, stone houses from centuries ago. I closed my eyes and saw French country girls weaving linen and hemp into sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases....and those amazing sacks to store precious grain to see their families through the harsh Winters.



Home came these packages, lovingly tissue wrapped and sealed with vintage European postage stamps. I wanted to buy so much more but you know how it is when shopping on vacation, not enough time to measure, contemplate, savor the delights offered............and you don't want to make a mistake when spending hard-earned money!

So many unusual items around each corner, every nook and cranny hiding sweet buttons, old trims, fabrics, sewing items, hat blocks, even brass rings, you just had to reach for them.

So many gorgeous old books ~ you know how they set my heart pounding!

Lots of antique and vintage ephemera including French ledgers, journals, music sheets. Keys, ivory game pieces, all displayed with panache ~ Jocie's background in graphic design certainly shows in every corner of Red Chair.

These are my purchases from Red Chair now at home ~ they were easy to pack and are things I will really enjoy. A thick, creamy French linen tablecloth for my farm table. A long bolster-size heavy natural hemp grain sack with dark blue embroidered initials MT and double stripes ~ searching for a readymade pillow to fit. Large linen napkin/tea towel with my initials MS - had to have it! Two French blue covered paperback books, aged to perfection, and now at home with my other French books purchased last Autumn in Provence.

As mentioned earlier, I'm definitely hoping to return to this shop some day. If you are ever in the Peterborough, NH area and longing for some lovely antique/vintage things for your home, I think you might be pleasantly surprised to find Europe within reach.......and no passport required!

European Treasures in New Hampshire!

Garden treasures displayed outside.

If you read the April 2009 issue of Romantic Homes you may already be familiar with the amazing shop named Red Chair. Tucked away in the lovely riverside town of Peterborough, New Hampshire, the owner Jocie Sinauer, has filled her shop with many vintage curiosities and antiques from France, Sweden and Belgium. I was head over heels in love with it the moment I stepped through the door.

Sadly, I didn't meet Jocie as she was away from the shop that day, however her assistant Nan was most charming and helpful.

Painted country furniture. Pitchers and pots. Interesting china including lovely white ironstone, and French cafe au lait bowls. Glassware. Old tiles. Platters and plates.

Loads of silver flatware, serving pieces, coffee, tea services and trays. .................................Urns. Shells. Unique bibelots.

My most exciting find was a huge array of linens. Real French hemp grain sacks, some cut and sewn into pillow covers. Tablecloths woven and monogrammed. Huge heavy linen bed sheets. Embroidered pillow cases. Farmers' shirts and smocks.............
...................and from the linens, all washed and pressed, wafted lavender perfume from the sachets scattered about.........I truly felt I was back in Provence!

Next time I'll show you more pics and the French items I purchased. Time was limited as DH had a busy sightseeing schedule mapped out. I do know that I want to return to Red Chair another time and spend a couple of hours browsing and sighing (and of course buying!) over Jocie's treasures ~ she definitely has an eye for collecting fabulous things.