antiquing in Austin
I took a little detour on my way home from Austin to drop by Whit Hanks on 6th Street, after reading this Cote de Texas blog post by one of my very favorite design bloggers, Joni Webb. Inside, there are several antique purveyors, but I visited the one that Joni recommended, The Antique Swan. I could have stayed for many hours but pried myself away after 90 minutes of sheer delight and a few unexpectedly fabulous purchases.
By some odd coincidence, my most significant purchase was, in fact, an antique swan.
It was perched atop an antique barrister’s cabinet and is a decoy made from wire, canvas and wood. An American antique, the lovely swan now resides in the parlor with a new perch over the Welsh dresser.
I really don’t go shopping often and tend to forget that since antiques are by their very nature, rare, there is a lovely element of surprise combined with their beauty, since we have probably not seen anything exactly like it before. And may never again.
The Antique Swan apparently specializes primarily in smaller accessories. I took the opportunity while I was there to select a few special gifts and make a couple of extra purchases for our own home.
This green glass globe, from England, was used in the late 1800s as a buoy to keep fishing nets afloat. The hue of the glass is so pretty.
On another table loaded with pretty housewares, there was this long baguette tray.
From France, also dating to the late 1800s, the baguette tray was used in bakeries to hold lengths of bread dough during the rising process.
My partner, Cristybella, was not with me as I was making these selections, but I had a suspicion that she would adore the baguette tray and I was correct. Thankfully, she adores the swan too.
Thank you KK, Janis and Eric at the Antique Swan for all the wonderful information you shared about the history of the items in your shop and your hints about ways to integrate them into a modern home. I look forward to my next trip to Austin to drop by again 🙂
Thank you for reading and I hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
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Sharing with
home sweet homemade 
What a great find, and it looks wonderful on your cabinet. Such lovely images of a shop I’d love to stalk!
great finds! and I love the swan.
xox
LOVE your new purchases, Diane!
The swan decoy is so cute. And I like that distressed look. I have such a fondness for things that look worn.
And the placement is perfect! It fills the space between the ceiling and the cabinet just right.
OMG…I LOVE the bagette tray and how you filled it with your sea shells! I would have NEVER thought to have done that. The cloth underneath is a great touch too. It almost looks like a piece of leather.
Yup….I’ve no doubt that Crisybella adored it!
NICE photos, Diane!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
X to you and C!
Beautiful Swan. Looks great on your cabinet. A wonderful find.
-Lynn
Great finds. The baguette tray looks great with the shells in it for summer but it is one of those things that you could easily change out with the seasons. (Like I’m telling you something you haven’t already thought of) 🙂
The swan is gorgeous. My mom has two reproductions that look similar to this. One with it’s head up and one with its head down. I have always loved them. She only brings them out at Christmas and decorates them with greenery but I love how you have yours out right now.
The green globe is just beautiful in its simplicity. Lucky you with the great eye!
Pam
I am in LOVE with your finds! That swan is so pretty and so unique! And the baguette tray~awesome! It sounds like a great shop.
She is a beauty!
thanks for linking!
XO
Kristin
That little green glass globe is so pretty. It looks great for a nice pop of color on your little table. Very nice baguette tray, too.
Love that green glass!!!! beautiful.
love antiques.
Love your swan =D I’m stopping by from the Sunday Showcase party. I would love for you to link this up to My Favorite Things party! It’s going on all week,
& be sure to check out my giveaway too!
Thanks
~Iffy~
http://www.stayathomenation.blogspot.com
That swan is super cool!
I have been looking for a swan just like yours, yep I have envy. It looks so elegant sitting atop of your cabinet.
Your new swan is fabulous!! Since we are in Houston I will have to head to Austin and stop by there in the fall. I would love for you to stop by for a visit and join Treasure Hunt Thursday!
Thanx Diane!! I loved having ya over for Treasure Hunt Thursday!
Love the swan, what a perfect place for her too! The Baguette tray is gorgeous, the shells look adroable on it.
Love the baguette board…it has such a great patina to it. You have given it a modern spin by placing the shells on it. Great finds!
That baquette tray is tres magnifique! Great score!
Thanks for sharing the fun at Pinkalicious Thursday!
XOXO,
Tasha
http://www.frugaliciousme.com
Great finds!! And I think it is a fun story that you found an antique swan at The Antique Swan! 🙂
Great finds! Thanks for linking to Share the Love Wednesday. Hope you’ll be back this week!
Mary
The baguette tray is such a nice find! I’m jealous. I saw a butter pan yesterday in a yard sale, but just as I was reaching it an other lady had her hand on it… I was so disappointed when she decided to buy it… Had I been there a second before…