It’s been a while since I’ve ventured into the Boston Design Center…probably almost a year - wow!  We’ve been doing our research and ordering samples remotely, which is not at all the same as being able to shop in person, but it has been an unusual year, to say the least! 

One of the things I’ve missed is visiting the Market Stalls, the curated antiques and unique goods from a variety of vendors set up in one end of the second floor at the Design Center.  I ALWAYS walk through to see what looks interesting whenever I’m at the BDC.

Here is what I spotted earlier this week…

Right at the entrance were these vibrant, striking (and really well priced!) hand embroidered pillows from Morocco.  These colors just make me smile!

I have always loved papier mâché tray tables and they are popular once again with the resurgence of grandmillennial (or granny chic) style, which is really just the pretty, classic, timeless style favored by some of my design idols. I spotted these 3. Usually comprised of a removable decorative painted tray on a stand, these make perfect and practical cocktail tables in front of a small sofa or settee.

And this painted trunk would make an excellent coffee table too - with the bonus of storage to stash extra throws or games!

There is always some lighting in evidence as well…this diseased mushroom lamp is STILL here (I can’t imagine why?!) I wrote about it a year and a half ago. Hopefully it is the same one and it hasn’t spawned offspring…the world really doesn’t need more of these!

I am a complete sap for boxes of all kinds and this vendor has dozens of beauties! From lap desks, to tea boxes…featuring elaborate brasses and inlay designs…

One of the most intriguing boxes was this 19th century tantalus, named after a figure from Greek mythology cursed to be hungry and thirsty for all eternity with food and drink in view but just out of reach. The cabinet’s defining feature is a lock that secures the bottles of libation so they are on display but not accessible without the key!

These throne-like settees would need juuuust the right settings…

Bamboo furniture can add so much warmth to a room and these pieces include real bamboo, painted bamboo, faux bamboo, and even metal faux bamboo!

Speaking of metal, these unusual pieces would be conversation starters in any room…an industrial console table and mirror and a sculptural copper pipe table.

If you need to do country or farmhouse style (because you have an ACTUAL FARMHOUSE), please opt for authentic antiques rather than mass-produced faux farmhouse paraphernalia. This bottle carrier and these wooden mortar and pestle sets are great examples.

The same goes for coastal and nautical style - authentic is always better than faux imported schlock. These framed ocean charts, maritime signal flags, and salvaged life preserver, for example…

One of the things that makes antiques so appealing is the patina that objects develop over time with use. This unusual pair of gilded leaf candle sconces, and these chippy painted French antique planters have a restrained elegance.

Antique books by the set…be still my heart! Leather volumes, some with marbleized paper covers, some with gilded or marbled page edges. In this age of e-readers, nearly every room is enlivened with actual books, and none are prettier than antique leather ones!

And finally, this pair of 19th century miniature English carriage models…to feed your Cinderella fantasies or perfectly fill that shelf styling need!

and as I rounded the last corner…Oh! Hello…