Estate Sale at Casa De La Pradera!

If you've visited Affordable Accoutrements before, you're aware that I enjoy setting tables that incorporate (mostly vintage) items I've purchased at local estate sales. There was a particularly interesting one last Saturday.

It was advertised on estatesales.net as a "majestic palatial gated old world stone, stucco, and brick English Tudor located in the countryside of historic Brownsville, Tennessee in Haywood County." That sounded appealing, and then I read this, "We have yet to open the silver & china vaults. More pictures along with the details & descriptions concerning the contents will be forthcoming."

Did I have a choice in the matter? Like a moth to the proverbial flame ...

This was the first time I've encountered an estate sale that offered shuttles from the parking area to the house.








Up the long, winding drive ...


Past the side of the house ...


To the sale's entrance.


Are you intrigued?


No shoppers in the pool yet ...


I might have quietly said something along the lines of, "WOW!" at this point.


This area to the left looks shady and inviting ....

No, I can't allow myself to be distracted from the reason I'm here!

What lies beyond?


The first room. This photo is from the estate sale listing. Imagine it filled with people lined up to pay for purchases.


This looks interesting ...


Now I could get accustomed to a dining room like this one!

Sorry for the poor image quality. Naturally I asked permission to take photos, and I turned off the flash to avoid disturbing other shoppers.



SO much gorgeous glassware!


I wonder ... could a fireplace make a dining room as grandly-scaled as this one seem cozy?


I found the photo below online. It shows the room before the crystal and silver were priced and displayed on the long table. The massive china cabinet holds Waterford crystal. A couple purchased all the Waterford just as I walked into the room.


Back to the day of the sale.


Lots of leather. I sat in one of the wing chairs, and it was really comfortable.


The door to the left of the firplace leads to one of two kitchens that flank the dining room.


The screen was $395. On the first day of estate sales, prices are usually firm. If it's not something you're absolutely determined to buy, it can be better to come back the second day and ask for a discount. The risk, of course, is that someone else will have loved the item enough to pay the asking price.


There were so many beautiful things! There was a feeling of luxury throughout the sprawling residence.


And the ultimate luxury at an estate sale: porta potties!

I'm sorry I didn't take more interior shots to share with you, but duty called. I had shopping to do! What did I buy? Very little actually. I have better luck at estates sales in more modest surroundings. This was a nationally advertised sale, featuring higher-end items.

I left with two fluffy bath towels, two hand towels, two boxes of candles, a set of blown glass vases that hold place cards, and a crystal wine bottle stopper.

Total, $12.50.

Tour of a unique estate in the West Tennessee countryside, FREE!

Tell me about your estate sale experiences. Are there many sales in your area? Do you prefer auctions? Antiques shops? Buying new?

Thank you for stopping by today!

P. S.

I came back to add that this was a living estate sale. The homeowners are fine and living in Florida! Some sales do make me sad -- the ones that include the wheelchairs, walkers, and so one. This wasn't one of those.

Even at those, I think, "At least the beautiful items will continue to be treasured."

P.P. S.

Susan of Between Naps on the Porch kindly invited me to link to her 155th Tablescape Thursday! Visit Susan and her talented participants HERE!

There were some truly wonderful tablescaping items at the sale. Please never fail to visit the inimitable Suson of BNOTP for Tablescape Thursdays! For afficianados of imaginative, beautifully-laid tables, it's the happiest time of every single week!