Anna Koorey, HB Editorial Coordinator

As someone who’s about to fly the family nest and begin to feather her own, I’m forever on the lookout for cheap and cheerful items that will hopefully create a beautiful living environment without cutting too far into my lunch money. That’s why I love Sydney’s Rozelle Markets, a treasure trove of pre-loved gems just waiting to be cherished.

There’s something for everyone at the 100 different stalls of this bustling market. While you should prepare yourself for a lot of sifting – these markets well and truly prove the adage that one man’s trash is another’s treasure – the rewards are rich when you unearth a piece amid the jumble that’s just for you. Waiting for me on my last visit were these curious little 1950s glasses etched with Mary Poppins lookalikes… a little bit quirky, nice and bright and perfect for my new (and at this stage, imaginary) kitchen shelves. At only $4 for a set of six, an absolute steal!

Amid an incredibly eclectic range of wares, from antique mirrors and retro tea sets to vintage collectables and buckets bursting with lavender, we also uncovered this exquisitely bound Grimm's fairytales collection – and after a bit of haggling, walked away with the lot for $30.

 

 

 

To prove that you can expect another lifetime of use from a second-hand item, my parents’ home boasts a good-as-new mahogany side table discovered over 22 years ago at – you guessed it – Rozelle Markets. Hopefully they won’t miss it too much…

You can find Rozelle Markets in the grounds of Rozelle Public School, Darling St, Rozelle, NSW, every Saturday and Sunday from 9am- 4pm. Get in early for the best finds.       

Read last week's blog