Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

How to Tell the Difference Between Junk and a Treasure

Young brocanteur

Photo and text by: Corey Amaro

The Young Brocanteur in Training.

Six in the morning, standing on a heaping pile of what appears to be junk to many, and treasures to a few.

How does one tell the difference between junk and a treasure?

A treasure is:

1) … in the eye of the beholder.

And…

2) On seeing an old object (i.e. a shabby, worn loved toy mouse.) a story or emotional response it triggered, causing the person to cast his story or emotional response onto the object, hence falling in love with it.

or…. does the one who claims it as a treasure simply have

3) Bad taste. Bad judgment.

or do they …

4) Needs glasses.

And/or….

Old, worn, some would say junk another might say…

5) Rachell Ashwell's coined term: "Shabby Chic": Old things that hold a spark, have a certain:" je ne sais pas" look, faded grandeur, shabby yes, chic yes and not necessarily painted white with flowers.

Those of us who see it as a treasure…

6) Don't listen to my brother Mathew, brocante is junk period.

Some see junk as…

7) An object that can be re-purposed. Something old becomes something new.

8) You tell me? What is the difference between junk and treasure?

And/ or when did you catch the brocante bug?

Comments

44 responses to “How to Tell the Difference Between Junk and a Treasure”

  1. agnes hanga

    the way you look at it 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mmd. Tortoise

    I think, practicality aside, it is in the eye of the beholder: as with love.

    Reply
  3. Teri

    The difference is what you do with it.

    Reply
  4. Lia deKoster

    Ahh Corey,
    I have been reading
    What a delicious French Husband you have…
    Time with him is smile and giggle full
    I see…
    I have loved stuff since I can remember…
    We grew up with little
    We moved to Australia when I was 4
    and mum took very little with her.
    An old jewelery box…I now have
    and cherish.
    I would dig in the dirt
    find rubbish and know
    truly know
    that someone
    somewhere cherished this
    I would give it a home.
    I do so enjoy your chat.
    Ciao for now
    Lia

    Reply
  5. Lilly

    I had the brocante bug for many years and ended up with so many treasures that I took a stall in a local antique store to sell the surplus. I had a love affair with single old wooden chairs for a while. I thought they were each beautiful sculptures and they were, but there are only so many chairs that one has space for. Once I was in a line of cars headed into the dump and on top of the junk in the back of the pickup truck in front of me was an old oak chair. I got out and went up to the driver and soon the chair that was headed for the crusher in the dump was sitting prettily in my back seat. I felt like I’d saved a life. I’ve stopped allowing myself to buy old things now because I’m more in a stage of simplifying my possessions but I still like to look and I think I’m often hoping there’ll be something that simply must go home with me.

    Reply
  6. Merisi

    Junk becomes treasure the moment I fall in love with it.
    I don’t care what others think as long as I love it.

    Reply
  7. Karin

    If something tugs at your heart, it’s a treasure. If you look at it and have to think about it, it’s junk. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Natalie Thiele

    When I was young we lived down the street from a tiny, little, second hand store in Berkeley. My mother, sister and I loved that shop. We visited often.
    When I was a teenager I discovered the Alameda Flea Market and when I was in my 20s, the long gone, Marin City Flea Market (Sausalito Flea).
    My mother remained hooked on garage sales all her life. I love flea markets.

    Reply
  9. Julie Ann

    Growing old gracefully like fine wine or a beautiful woman, Jx

    Reply
  10. Vicki

    If it speaks to me I buy it….if not it is “junk” until someone with a different “eye” finds it!!!

    Reply
  11. deb

    If it speaks to me, it’s a treasure to me. Really think this just depends on the person, the day, the item – if it touches something in me,it’s a treasure. And, regardless of the raised eyebrows of others, I’m happy with my find.
    Funny how I don’t get the same thrill in fancy stores – I can appreciate the nice things there, but they don’t speak to my soul.

    Reply
  12. Ed in Willows

    If my wife brings something old into our house, it’s junk. If I bring something old home, it’s a treasure.

    Reply
  13. Penny

    If I like it, if it calls to me from across a pile or a room or table, it is a treasure. I have one simple rule. If I can use it, I can buy it. Of course, I may only use it once . . .

    Reply
  14. Bramble

    I have had “the bug” a long time.Sometimes treasure is what triggers the warm fuzzies that make my heart sing(samplers,linens, quilts, old baskets, crocks).Other times I am able to recognize the true value of an object and know whether it is worth owning and later “traading off” for new treasure. Silver, cut glass, art pottery, paintings nd furniture fall into that category. I once was able to sell my Roseville collection to fund a new (used) truck! I am a smart shopper and listen to my gut, so far so good!But my husband will tell you I am too attached to “junk” In his opinion and he wished I collected less or sold more!
    Eh…what does HE know anyway!!!
    Happy hunting!

    Reply
  15. Patt

    A combination of all of the beautiful words above are how I would describe a treasure. Sings to your heart, speaks to your sole. And then there would be makes your spirit soar and puts a smile on your face. Junk makes you feel heavy hearted, burdened and just all around cluttered. But we do have to remember one mans junk is another mans treasure. If not for that, there would be no Brocante. And sometimes something that is a treasure for a time can become junk after awhile. I just pass it on.

    Reply
  16. Chris Wittmann

    I was very young, probably less than 10 years old. I loved old houses, and old things. I bought my first real “antique” at the age of 15…a Victorian corner chair for my bedroom. Before that, my sister and I were always combing antiques shops for vintage clothing, shoes, jewelry, you name it. I was definitely born in the wrong era!

    Reply
  17. Julienne

    I bought my first piece when I was 12 it cost 14 pounds and was a three piece salon lounge with original upholstery…I still have it!
    I think we all seem to agree treasure speaks to you, it beckons, it calls, it winks at you and it whistles so there is no way you can go past it…it chooses you…it knows it’s your treasure!!!

    Reply
  18. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    Treasure for me is something that holds a past memory…mine or someone else’s.

    Reply
  19. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Junk just sits there. Treasures dance!!

    Reply
  20. Brother Mathew

    Never have. Hope I’m immune.

    Reply
  21. Kiki

    Corey; I could now just copy and re-send private email I sent you…. but first of all I wd like to say how massively enchanted I am reading those comments. They are a testimonial to why we have the bug and why we love our treasures…
    To me it’s sometimes a ‘call’, sometimes an item looking for a loving owner, sometimes I really looked out for a special item (a luster for a special room – total rubbish in the eyes of my Hero Husband, the ultimate treasure in mine…. and he had the good grace to approve of my choice once I had cleaned the item and had it fixed to the ceiling… :))
    I LOVE your articles, they make me happy, smile – just like a fleamarket-broquante find! Thank You…

    Reply
  22. georgie

    When I was six. Favorite Aunty took me to one. I still have the tiny little creamer from Japan that I bought there. Price was under 25 cents. I especially love curbside finds; fixing them up and repurposing. If it doesn’t work out-the item goes back on to the curb.

    Reply
  23. Everton Terrace

    It’s all treasure, just sitting there waiting for the right eyes to come along. I’ve had the bug all my life. My mother dragged me to all the sales and at some point the dragging stopped and I was happily walking along – same with my own daughter I suppose (and my husband). It’s in the blood.
    LOVE Ed’s comment.

    Reply
  24. Brenda L from TN

    It’s a treasure if it speaks to me….it’s junk if I don’t hear anything when I look at it.
    I,too, had so much “stuff” from flea markets, garage sales, estate sales,auctions, etc,etc….that I had to take a booth(s)..(I now have 3) at an antique mall close by. But I have met so many nice people doing this….with a few “rascals” thrown in…
    I “blame” my Mother for all of this…it’s her fault for draging me to flea markets at 5:00 in the a.m…LOL.

    Reply
  25. Marilyn

    I started looking and buying when I was first married (46 years ago). I bought because I could furnish my house inexpensively. I always thought I would replace those things someday with new things, but somewhere along the line the bug caught me and I have never turned back.

    Reply
  26. Jillayne

    The difference is character – if it is has it, it’s a treasure. I can’t honestly say I only like things that are old, but more that I like things that have character. I like things that have been loved, and yes, I think you can tell! I lalso ike that things that are old and have been useful for a long time. Mostly though, it’s all about character!

    Reply
  27. Lieselotte

    I think there´s no difference at all, cause one person´s junk can be another one´s treasure, and that´s what I find so fascinating about second hand objects !

    Reply
  28. Kathie B

    When I was young and my family would drive up US 101 (the Redwood Highway) through Santa Rosa en route to visit my maternal grandparents, for many years we would see a sign along the east side of the highway that read:
    “We buy junk, but sell antiques.”

    Reply
  29. Denise Solsrud

    my mother loved the hunt and i have had the hunt since grade school and my daughter has it. it cannot be cured,nor do we want it to be. that is the whole of it. we love it no curing us. Bestest,Denise

    Reply
  30. Amalee Issa

    “I cleaned the fridge, one bite at a time.” I love that, Corey.
    Amalee

    Reply
  31. g

    simply put there is no difference between junk and treasure…one man’s junk another’s treasure. a warm welcome home corey and yann a bit early but most sincere.

    Reply
  32. Lisa Hilderbrand

    It started as a neccessity…and it is now a honor to love and treasure the things that others have loved and treasured.

    Reply
  33. rochambeau

    About treasures:
    I know one when I see one. It calls out: Re~dooooooo me!!! Help me, I need a new life ~
    The most inspiration in the world is found through treasure hunting. Period!!
    Hope you are well Corey!!Great photo and post.

    Reply
  34. Delphine Payne

    Junk turns to treasure when the beholder sees it for what it really is.

    Reply
  35. Ann

    During college I went to one estate sale, found an original watercolor rolled up, bought it for $6, had it framed and the rest is history. Now I have an antique booth and every now and then I entertain the idea of stopping this madness but can’t because I love asking the question “trash or treasure?”
    I love the quality of old furniture with beautiful craftmanship, never mind the scratches or missing handle, it’s what it can become. One time I put out an old wardrobe with a sign that read “Lovely vintage wardrobe – needs work but has good bones”. It was snatched right up. You gotta love it.
    Every now and then DH will say ..can we buy a new one? I laugh – it’s not like I buy him antique shoes.

    Reply
  36. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    The difference is in how you feel when you see it. Yuck, I wouldn’t want THAT in my house or OMG! That’s GORGEOUS, it would look so good….

    Reply
  37. Jo

    Indeed beauty is in the eye of the beholder and is open to many interpretations – such as Brother Matthew’s (many of my family make fun of my stuff too – haha!). I think I caught the brocante bug when I was a very young girl. We would visit my Grandmother who had been an opera singer and had an incredible closet filled with vintage 1910’s – 1920’s gowns – and wonderful jewelry and shoes that she would let us dress up in. She also kept my G’father’s formal tails and we would sometimes dress up in those, too. I guess you could say vintage clothing was my gateway drug and when I was old enough to begin furnishing a home, I naturally gravitated to old, beautiful things, with character, history and patina. I do have some modern pieces though and they are a nice counterbalance to my older, curvier things. But in the end, my eye is always drawn to objects that have been around the block a few times. I can’t explain the attraction…though I sometimes bore my family to tears trying. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Victoria Ramos

    for me it all really started with doll furniture – i would make little vinettes on my shelf with doll furniture my dad would surprise me with (he was a police officer who moonlighted as a security guard to make extra $$ and they sold toys there too). He knew I loved that stuff and it was far more ‘fancy’ than our early american stuff at home. From there, i eventually went to my first ‘official’ auction where I spent my first tax return money on a beautiful marble side board…and from there I have been helplessly devoted to antiques and the flea market/peddlers fair/antique fair/auction — whatever you want to call it.

    Reply
  39. Jeannie

    If it makes your heart skip a beat or makes you smile, it is a treasure. I caught the bug from my Gram. She would take me to the local “dump” and we would dig among all the discarded household items. It was the fun of the hunt, which I still enjoy, even though we can’t go to the county dump anymore.;)

    Reply
  40. Katy S

    When it reaches back into your past and bring sforth a memory…..or when you see it and instantly feel like you recognize it(even if you have never seen it before).
    I caught the brocante bug in a big way back in 1997-1999 when we lived in Chatou, just west of Paris. I would walk to the big Faire au Jambon from my house as it was easier than finding a parking place! I miss it so….

    Reply
  41. Carol

    it’s a fine line between junk and treasure. sometimes the lines cross and people disagree. if it is a treasure in your eyes, then it IS a treasure. If it is junk in your eyes, maybe someone else will fall in love with it and deem it a treasure. (like the sweet little mouse) I feel in love with old stuff when I first got married and discovered how much better made the old pieces of furniture were and that they looked wonderful when polished or given a coat of paint. that was a long time ago and going to a flea market or garage sale still gives me a thrill. I was hooked at a very early age and hope it always continues!

    Reply
  42. nancy n

    I think the technical difference is what someone is willing to pay for it. But as it has been said here, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure & Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Reply
  43. Rhonda P.

    It’s very personal, I find the more romantic you are, you will see the treasure and avoid the junk.

    Reply
  44. AnnieElf

    Easy answer, Corey. If my eyes get big, I’ve found a treasure.

    Reply

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