Scrappy Little Alemany....A Market in the Spirit of Provence

The red headed stepchild to the far tonier Alameda Flea Market across the Bay (I've spotted celebrities there!), the scrappy little Alemany Flea Market endures Sunday after Sunday in the spirit of the markets of Provence. 

You can find great stuff here, the prices are much more "accessible" in this downturn,  and the French pastries are spot on for an early morning browsing treat (think petit pain au chocolate, brioche) along with strong coffee. 

Mothers Day at the Alameda Flea Market

Fabulous Octagonal Fretwork Table that 

Looks Like Carved Ivory (but isn't!) $40.

Leading Letters & Small Collectibles 50 cents each

Adorable Chinese Red Stool $20.

Chinese Screen $75

Chic Little Table $45

What I love is that it's No Big Deal. Just amble on up to the south side of San Francisco, get a parking spot, and head to the 150 or so stalls. No big parking hassle, no entry fees, everything easy. I always find something. 

And on Mothers Day, what better way to spend a few early morning hours than tending to the redheaded stepchild?

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Alemany Flea Market:  Every Sunday, Rain, Fog, Wind or Shine at the intersection of Alemany Boulevard and 101 South in San Francisco, from 8 am until 3 pm. 

Fast Slow Food in Green Cafes

If your hippest client suggests lunch twice in one week, you  happily go where she chooses. Good call!

On Tuesday after "bargain hunting" at Ed Hardy's bittersweet closeout antiques auction,  we headed over to  Nopalito. A new, chic Mexican that boasts sustainable and organic food, it does not resemble the usual tacqueria in any way.  Once we were able to squeeze into the packed lunch crowd there was no doubt that all the smiling faces were not from the mojitos.

Suguaro Branch Sculpture

Zinc Countertops

Pendant Lights and Glass Mosaic Backsplash

No, smiles were for the food (beyond fabulous) and especially for the design itself (very green: zinc countertops, glass mosaic wall, repurposed cans for lights, tables made from fallen oak trees, suguaro branches as sculpture, concrete floors, cloth napkins instead of paper.)

Blissfully guiltlessly we lunched. 

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On Wednesday, while down in Palo Alto foraging for old fireplace mantels at Whole House Building Supply & Salvage, we headed over to Town and Country to  Calafia Cafe.

Intentionally sustainable and repurposed throughout its brilliantly conceived interior (kudos to Nicole Hollis for her seltzer bottles for pendant lights, barn wood ceiling, straw in plaster walls, recycled bottles for chandelier, huge reclaimed beams for support, Chilewich placemats, tree trunk coffee tables), the food served there by a former Google chef was delectable and delish.

Lights Made From Old Bottles

Did Someone Say "Adorable Tree Trunk Coffee Table"?

Eco Friendly Plaster Made Friendlier With Straw

If you find yourself near either place when hunger hits, go.  But before you order, take a moment to note the green and clean ambiance.  Celebrate the sustainable design. Exhale. 

Your body and your spirit will both thank you, and your mother earth will love you. How hip is that?

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The Client Looks Like a Young Cindy Crawford

She moved last year from her lovely Hamptons digs on the east coast to one of San Francisco's forgotten neighborhoods to take up her teaching post at a traditional boys' school on Nob Hill. 

The soul of thrift and chic, she chose a rental house in La Precita overlooking the boulevard with it's wide, beautifully planted park and its streets full of murals. Children's laughter and mariachi music filled the later summer air. All on the rather sunny side of San Francisco. 

Because the inside of her jewel of a home needed an uplift and some simple furnishings, we headed for the Alemany Flea Market.  There we found chic metal chairs and table, some art, a bookcase or two. We found inspiration for her color scheme for the five room, 2 patio home in this lovely 40's fabric designed by The Michael Josef Design Group.

That led us to a delectable palette of very liveable and uplifting colors for Liz's new home. Now the inside matches the spirit of the view from the front bay window.

A++, indeed!

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