Sherry, Burger and I recently took a day trip to Washington, D.C. and made a point to visit the city’s well-known Eastern Market. Built in 1873 and located near Capitol Hill, Eastern Market is the longest continuously operating marketplace in the District. The market is especially lively on weekends, with a farmers’ market on Saturdays and a flea market on Sundays, and the Sunday we visited was bustling despite a chilly, overcast sky.
Vendors offered a wide variety of goods: handmade jewelry, original paintings, antique furniture, vintage collectibles and more. The collection of booths felt like a visual feast and a welcome change from the predictable selections at big-box stores. Stalls displayed everything from rustic, iron-framed mirrors to delicate ceramic pieces and repurposed objects turned into stylish home accents.
One vendor showcased mirrors made from reclaimed materials, including old windows converted into framed mirrors. These pieces had a lived-in character that suggested history and craftsmanship, perfect for anyone looking to add a unique focal point to a room.
Furniture sellers lined several aisles, each with a different aesthetic. We passed a booth specializing in Asian-inspired furniture, full of lacquered cabinets, carved accents and minimalist lines. While we haven’t introduced Asian pieces into our home yet, seeing the selection gave us inspiration and a sense of where to look when the time comes to change up our decor.
Another vendor displayed mid-century pieces that caught our eye: clean lines, warm wood tones and clever storage solutions. We found a display case in particular that matched our style—compact and full of character, it would have been a charming substitute for a conventional bookcase or china cabinet. Unfortunately it wouldn’t fit in our trunk, so we admired it and moved on.
One booth overflowed with vintage ephemera—old maps, black-and-white photographs, and boxes of antique keys. I could easily imagine using a single key as a subtle accent on a side table or gathering several in a glass jar as a decorative cluster. The textures and patinas on these pieces tell stories you don’t get from mass-produced items.
We were especially drawn to boxes filled with classic woodblock printing letters. Rows of wooden and metal types arranged by character and size had an irresistible tactile appeal. The seller had whole crates of them, and flipping through the letters felt like a small archaeology of printmaking. These kinds of finds make for meaningful decorative touches—displayed on a shelf, incorporated into a vignette, or used in a photo shoot.
Woodblock letters have sentimental value for us. Early in our relationship, during a visit to a flea market in New York City, Sherry and I found a set of type blocks. We bought our initials and a “7” to mark July 7th—the day we began dating and later would celebrate as our wedding anniversary. Those letters now sit in our guest bedroom as a quiet reminder of our early days together and the small rituals that become meaningful over time.
At Eastern Market we couldn’t resist picking up a few more woodblock letters—affordable and charming additions to our home. We placed them atop a stack of sentimental cards from our wedding guests on the living room console. It’s a small, slightly sappy display, but one that feels right for our home: an intimate mix of found objects, personal history and everyday beauty.
Visiting Eastern Market offered more than shopping; it was a sensory walk through craftsmanship, history and neighborhood life. Even on a gray day the market felt welcoming and full of discoveries. Whether you’re hunting for a specific vintage piece or simply looking to wander and be inspired, this long-running market has a way of revealing treasures that add personality and warmth to any home.