St Lawrence Sunday Antique Market | Toronto – Day 2

My first day in Toronto was spent on “business”, if you can call it that. I was having so much fun it certainly didn’t feel like work but I was in Toronto for my Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint certified retailer training. You can catch a recap of my trip, here. But my second day I was on my own and it was mine to with what I wanted. What an amazing prospect in a big city. A whole day to yourself and you can do anything you like.

I woke to a morning of thunderstorms and rain. Lots of it. Puddles everywhere, signs blown down. I wasn’t going to let that stop me.

But I tell you, not five minutes after I started my walk down Yonge St the sun came out to shine.

And shine it did. I happily snapped pictures of just about everything.

It was so exhilarating being out on a walk in the big city, in the fresh cool air and with no particular place to go or be.

I walked for miles. Call me crazy but I loved walking under these bridges.

I walked until I caught a glimpse of the CN tower. I had heard about this Sunday Antique market down on Front St at the St Lawrence Market and you know me, I’m always up for an antique market. Even if I have no real hope of getting anything too significant home with me.

But then I heard the most beautiful bells. And they kept ringing and ringing and ringing. And I kept walking.

I found this amazing sculpture garden.

Quirky and funky.

But serene and beautiful all at the same time.

And then I found the source of those bells still ringing by the time I reached them. The Cathedral of St. James, once attended by Queen Elizabeth herself.

How I loved all of these tall gorgeous buildings. Some old, some new.

All of them completely amazing. Here’s my view as I stood in front of the St Lawrence Market.

My friend Barb told me about these cars that you kind of rent on a regular basis. It’s kind of like owning a timeshare in a car. You drive the car where you need to go and leave it. Then someone else who needs a car in that vicinity comes by and takes it where they need to go. The next time you need a car again you just find an unoccupied one in your area. Neat concept, eh?

I saw these bikes and realized they are kind of the same thing but in bike form. I find that incredibly cool.

Then I finally arrived at the St. Lawrence Market. My heart might’ve beat a little faster when I saw it.

I spotted this chair full of flowers. I was curious.

Then I kind of wished I hadn’t read it. Or I wished I did live in Toronto so I could make sure poor Tank got a good home. Wishing him luck!

{Edited to add: Tank has found a great new home! Here’s the article from the Toronto Star online if you’re interested: Black Lab Left Behind After Neighborhood Character’s Death Find a New Home}

This market had a little of everything. Vintage bikes, jewelry and everything in between.

There was some old furniture, too but mercifully nothing too spectacular. It would’ve completely defeated the purpose of saving money on old furniture to fix up if I’d had to rent a truck to drive it over the border.

I was so tempted. I still love Boy George!

Ahh that chair. How would you change it up?

This sofa is one of those things that I would buy just as it is and never change it. I love this thing!

There was an indoor section of the market as well.

Canadians are some of the nicest people I have ever met. I didn’t go anywhere that I didn’t meet a new friend. I was checking out the Flow Blue china (the pattern one of our milk paint colors is named after) and he offered to model it for me.

Ironically these two pieces were from an estate in Savannah. Funny how they made their way all the way to Canada. Also, funny how the green lady has a call to take. I’m telling you, the people here were the best part!

I’m considering getting an old typewriter. Wouldn’t it be fun to take up typing letters to your friends and family on one of these? Regardless, they just look cool and nothing compares to the typewriter font.

I love old photos. They tell such great stories without any words.

I am obsessed with maps these days. This one booth had more maps than I have ever seen in one place. It was heavenly.

You know I have a thing for quirky art and this one was just calling my name. I picked her up more than once and if there had been a price tag on her I might have sincerely considered taking her home. I didn’t love the mosaic tiles on this piece but her face just calls to me. I don’t have any idea where I’d have put her but looking at her now I regret not getting. her.

I found some pretty great stuff at this market. Great enough to deserve their own post. Can you guess what I got? What would you have gotten?