Last year on Bravo’s “9 by Design,” we watched Cortney Novogratz redecorate and flip multimillion dollar houses with hubby Robert, star in a reality show (you can now catch the trendy family in their new HGTV gig “Home by Novogratz,” Saturday nights at 10) and put out a book, “Downtown Chic,” all while being a mom to seven — yes, seven! — children. The lady is Superwoman. We happily take notes as she teaches us how to attack a flea market like a DWR clearance sale.
Express yourself
“All of the retail shops have the same items, and so for our homes and our wardrobes to be unique, we have to find one-of-a-kind pieces, which the flea market allows us. You’ll really like it if someone comes to your home and they can tell who you are, and your house is a reflection of who you are.”
The rules
“I always bring cash. And there is nothing wrong with saying, ‘Oh, I would like this to be cheaper. Can you give me a better deal?’ Most people will negotiate with you — so never ever settle with the initial price.”
Flea marketing with kids
“With my daughters, or any other children for that matter, kids get tired. So [to keep them interested], we started collecting something together. They’ve been collecting paintings of girls and women, which we keep adding to a wall. So that’s fun, and it bought me a little more time to shop while they would look for those paintings.”
Favorite fleas
“I like the one in Fort Green, Brooklyn [Brooklyn Flea]. My kitchen chairs came from there, but now it is gotten a little more ‘food-y,’ and I’m struggling with that.”
“Brimfield, in Massachusetts. I can spend days there.”
“Dixie Highway, in West Palm Beach. There are tons of antiques dealers there.”
“The Hamptons has tag sales every weekend. They run in the newspaper. You need to get there early though, because the better things go fast.”
Follow Tina Chadha on Twitter @TinaatMetro
