Finally I found her.......

As many of you know I have been searching for an old antique mannequin for some time now. The search was proving somewhat difficult as antique french mannequins are becoming more and more sought after by the day and the price is increasing with demand.

Yesterday we started to clear out the ground floor as Mr FF is getting ready to start work on my wee shop which will contain gift type items that guests can take home with them and I will also use it as a showroom for my online shop, which has been neglected of late, as all efforts have been concentrated on getting Maison No. 20 up and running in time for the start of the summer season.

We were busy loading items into our car,bound for the dechetterie (rubbish dump) when our neighbour Bernard appeared. He asked what we were doing and I told him that we were having a clear out and also mentioned that yesterday morning, I had bought a lovely picture to go in the hall of Maison No. 20 from a newly opened antique shop in the village, for what I thought was a good price.

I guess that now is a good time to mention the fact that Bernard is an antiques dealer and that we rent space in a building that he owns across the road.

He uses part of the building to store all his fabulous and of course french items, then sells at the brocantes during the summer months. There are 2 parts to the building; the part where we park our car and the other part which is always locked off.

He took me by the hand and said come with me, inside was his lovely partner Nicole, who is also a collector of all things french.

I think that this must be somewhat of a disease in our street! Whilst kissing Nicole, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a group of mannequins huddled in the back corner. The majority are fairly recently but tucked behind them and almost hidden from view was the object of my dreams! So a deal was struck and home I trotted with "my girl".

And to think that all the time that I had been searching around France, she has been right in front of my nose..........

Bernard's parting comment was, the next time that I am searching for something I should go to him first! Note I did ask about an antique bird cage but he does not have one but maybe could find me one.

A bientot,

A very happy L x

Comments

  1. I am very jealous! Gorgeous antique mannequins are impossible to find here in Australia! I hope the resourceful Bernard finds a bird cage for you very soon.
    Clare

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  2. What wonderful serendipity, Leeann! I'm so glad you found her - she looks perfect there in that little nook.

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  3. She's gorgeous - well worth the wait! Where is she going to live? Leigh

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  4. What a fabulous find! You must be thrilled to have found her, they are scarce and very costly. Lucky you!

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  5. You scored...sometimes it is just that easy...congrats! As a dress form nutcase I can certainly identify...the last one I bought walked right into the booth next to me at the flea market where I promptly bought her!

    I am adding you to my "featured blogs of the week" link list right this minute!

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  6. What a find! Congrats! I have a collection of "girls" that I am planning to post about soon. I treasure them and would never part with them. Yours is perfection...

    Blessings,
    Shelley

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  7. It is so often the case that you search high and low for something and it was right in front of you all the while.

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  8. That's the nice one:) Congrats!

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  9. OMG I love mannequins especially old ones!!!! I wish I could have one for my room!!!

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  10. What a fantastic stroke of luck, no vintage shop worth its shell buttons could be without a mannequin. Have fun with the shop decorating loving your blog. Cavania London

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  11. She is very regal in deed!!! Love this very FRENCH blog I just found, enjoyed peeking through all your things, Love to "Follow"... xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...Stop over would enjoy your visit also, look forward to getting to know you!

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  12. wow -love when those things happen -serendipity! enjoy your lovely new girl.
    Karen

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  13. Oh Leanne she is gorgeous! I know she was meant to be - look at your banner - she was already a star!
    Have a great weekend and relish your find! x Suzi

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  14. Oh Leeann, Lucky lucky!
    I love your new mannequin and how neat that she was right in your back yard.

    Have a great weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  15. What a fun find! It always seems as though I find what I'm searching for after I've decided to give it a rest..

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  16. When you come across a beloved piece like that in such a way there is only one word for it serendipity!

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  17. belle balade sur ton blog!!
    merci de ta visite

    manon

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  18. She is lovely - just like my Josephine..Enjoy your weekend Leeann, xv.

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  19. How wonderful...she is so lovely! Have a beautiful weekend. Ax

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  20. Oh you are so lucky. I am searching for some antique mannequins for an art installation project and not having much success. Enjoy her!

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  21. Oh, this Bernard sounds like quite a fabulous person to know! Bon weekend mon amie~
    xo

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  22. She is quite lovely! Don't you just love when you finally find the RIGHT thing!
    Bon week-end!
    Fifi

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  23. OH! I just LOVE that! I hope one day to find one that beautiful for my Studio...

    If you get a chance come by my Blog for a visit and say hi!
    Aimee

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  24. Can you believe it!!! Everytime I see a Mannequin I think of you, who would have thought she was quietly waiting for you the whole time so close...enjoy & have a wonderful weekend..:) Cate

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  25. Isn't life just like that Leeann! What an elegant lady she is, I'm delighted she's found such a good home.
    Millie ^_^

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  26. oh it's just fabulous! ...and so is the photo of it! Congrats on your fab find!

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  27. It's a fantastic manequin. And I've done the same thing -- the object of my desire is under my nose -- and after searching everywhere! Congratulations -- she's beautiful!

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  28. Oh I love her!!! What a lucky find! Nice to have neighbors like that! Have a great weekend!

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  29. Oh, Lucky you that you finally found HER. I went to an estate sale, and there in a pile she was, the house was so filthy I left her under the pile, all I thought about was bringing the smell home with me. I still think about her to this day, wishing I had taken her home with me, and tried to clean her up
    Cheryl

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