One of the greatest online resources I love is FrenchGardenHouse. Lidy and I have become friends and colleagues when I found her online! She was my go-to when I was looking for antique silver, bistro dishes as a gift, and great garden items. I know you will enjoy reading her story and visiting her website. PLUS: she is giving away two sets of beautiful dishes to two winners (entry below).
I adore antiques. They give us a way to live with the beauty of the past and connect with people who have gone before us. Timeworn furniture with the patina of wear and tear, forgotten vintage heirlooms that delight the soul, and simple utilitarian pieces with their functionality and simple beauty all make my heart beat faster. It is no surprise that I became an antiques dealer; I spied a little antique children’s toy in the window of an antique shop when I was a teen and borrowed enough money to buy it. At a time when my friends were saving up for the ultimate pair of jeans, this was what I wanted more than anything. It was the first antique I bought, and I never looked back! Since then, I have bought antiques to make our home a place we love to live, surrounded by bits of the past.
I was born in Holland, and for a few years after my parents divorced my mother and I lived with my grandparents in their grand four-story house. My grandparents’ home was filled with beautiful French and Dutch antiques, and it was there that I developed my passion for antiques. In every home I’ve lived in since, I have tried to recapture the same feeling my grandparents’ house had—filled with beautiful things but comfortable and meant to be lived in. When my mother and I immigrated to the United States, I left behind little scraps of paper taped to the bottom of my very favorite pieces of their furniture and objects with “belongs to Lidy” written in pencil. Today, those antiques are cherished parts of my own home décor.
The antique I hold dearest to my heart is my grandmother’s silver teapot. I inherited it when she died. I love it not only because it is exquisite but because of the memories of her pouring out the tea each afternoon precisely at 3:30. I use it for my own family, mostly when we are all together on Sundays and for celebrations and holidays. Using it always gives me the sweet memory of my beloved Grandmamma, and I hope that when I pass it on to my children they will be warmed by the same sweet memories of our family having tea together in the afternoon. That is the magic of antiques! They connect us to the past in a tangible, beautiful way.
After our first daughter was born, I went back to school and received my bachelor of arts degree. I was fortunate to be able to be a stay at home mother for many years. I enjoyed making our home a place where we all loved to be, where we were surrounded by beautiful things—some as simple as a weekly bouquet of flowers on our dining table—and watching my family flourish. I had a few temporary jobs at times in the design field but nothing permanent. My focus really was making our home a haven for my family and friends and giving my children a childhood filled with as much magic as I could.
As time went by, one of our children developed a serious health concern, and over the period of a few years, there were three times that we thought we would loose her. My husband and I decided to take her out of public school so that I could homeschool her. They were difficult years; I spent long days by her side taking care of her, doing her homeschooling work when she was up to it, and spending most of those days and nights having a running conversation with God! It was a blessing to be able to do so, but as any mom who has done this knows, it was extremely tiring as well. I desperately needed something creative to do for a few hours a week. Inspiration struck; since I loved antiques, interior design, and creating beauty, I opened a small space in a local antiques shop. I couldn’t have done so without my husband’s support, as he arranged his work schedule so that I would have two afternoons “off” while he stayed home to be with our daughter.
I loved that little space. It allowed me to display my treasures and meet some of the most wonderful customers, many of whom are now close friends. I also loved talking to the other antiques dealers at the shop, especially the older ones, who were so generous with their knowledge and answered all my questions. I am by nature quite a “talker” (my husband sometimes jokes that I could get personal information from a stone) and have an avid curiosity about antiques. I am always anxious to hear the stories attached to an old piece, who made it, who would have used it, or what it was it used for. It is always thrilling to learn the secrets of a piece. Each antique whispers stories of the past; antiques are exciting and always full of surprises!
After having antique spaces in several shops, I really wanted a shop of my own but couldn’t really be tied down to a retail space. My daughter’s health was improved, but I still needed to be home for her. After branching out and selling antiques on an online auction site, I took the plunge and started my own website. I remember sharing my “big news” around the dining table and both my children laughed, saying, “Mom, you barely know how to use the TV remote, how on earth will you manage a website?” Luckily, I proved them wrong! I hired a wonderful website builder and spent literally hours and hours (at times in tears) behind the computer learning how to edit photos, write descriptions, and do all the behind the scenes things that go into having an online business.
In 2007 I opened FrenchGardenHouse (named after the small garden house my husband built for me in our back garden as my birthday gift one year), and I am honored to provide antiques and luxury decorative finds as well as thoughtful gifts for customers all over the world. I really encourage all my customers to allow their homes to tell a story—their story. I care deeply about helping people create a home that expresses their own personal style. I select antiques that I would love to have in my own home, and everything I sell has been personally selected by me with great love and care. My hope is that customers will be able to find everyday heirlooms at FrenchGardenHouse that will add beauty to their life now and that they will be able to pass it on to the next generation.
FrenchGardenHouse is my passion. I can’t wait to get up each morning to go to work! I know I am truly blessed. It is the fulfillment of my dream. I sell all the things I love, from over-the-top French gilt-covered objects to French Country pieces, I am an equal opportunity lover of all things beautiful. Not just French but also English and American objects catch my eye and my heart. Right now I am so enamored with delicately embroidered Victorian needlework pieces, linens, and laces so beautiful they sometimes bring tears to my eyes. There really is no one left who can create such stunning pieces of art with a needle anymore, so buying and selling them is a great pleasure.
I have an office in our home where I can look outside and see the children coming and going to the little school across the street and take a lunch break when my husband comes home and sit out in the garden. I take most of the product photographs at home, both indoors and in the garden. I shop for antiques to sell everywhere and have developed a network of dealers who look for things for me all over the world. I am in my element when one of them calls and asks to visit with “some special pieces” they are sure I will love, and we sit around the table with a freshly baked scone and coffee or tea and “ooh and ahh” over their “finds.” My husband and I also travel for buying trips; our last trip to Europe was extra special as I was able to persuade a Belgian dealer to part with some of her most cherished Madonnas for my American customers.
The most heartwarming part of selling antiques for me is when a customer e-mails or calls to let me know that the piece they bought from FrenchGardenHouse is just like the one they remember from their childhood or that they are giving it to a loved one for a wedding or the birth of a baby. That’s what makes my business so very rewarding: the customers, their lives, and how the things they buy from me will make memories for their own families.
It’s the people I meet along the way that are the true treasures for me. My business is growing, and I have a base of wonderfully loyal customers. I am thrilled with every order, and we take special care to send each package on its way with the hope that it will delight each new owner.
Comments 39
I am a newcomer on the Ribbon and have really enjoyed it so far. When I need a lift from this dark dreary weather I open the FGH and it is puts me in a wonderful mood and I become motivated to move something around in my 1830 home in Natchez or begin a new project. Thank you so much! Jackie
Thank you so much, Jackie. How lovely to have a home from 1830……
I am sure spring is around the corner!
I have collected antiques for30 years. Now my daughter Danielle has started she is 14. Thank you for the beautiful story. I will never forget how my mom started me with antiquities. Cheryl w.
What fun! Great blog. I so enjoy antiques of all sorts. How wonderful to have family handdowns. Even better that you enjoy the so.
When I was growing up my dear aunt would call me inside from playing for my daily instruction on all different types of needlework. I really hated those hours spent however I was with my favorite aunt so what could be better? However, as I grew up for every birthday and Christmas I would create a special piece for my mom. Now, almost 50 years later and my mother in poor health I noticed those are the pieces she has kept close to her. Some pieces I don’t even remember making but I see my initials worked into the piece so I know I did. It makes me incredibly happy to know I provide my mom with comfort when I can’t be with her. It is true there are very few people who know how to create intricate lace anymore or embroider a monogram. I am so fortunate that I learned from a master. When I go on the hunt for that special piece for my home you will usually find me in the antique textiles…I can’t seem to get enough! Best regards, Kate
Thank you for sharing such a lovely story, Kate. I can only imagine how heartwarming it must be to know how your Mother cherishes and loves what you made for her. What a blessing!
Some of my favorite things in my home are from FrenchGardenHouse. I would like my house to look like Lidy’s. I am so happy to discover The Ribbon in My Journal. Lidy is so beautiful and elegant. Thank you for the article.
Thank you so much, Betty. I truly hope that you love each and every item you buy from FrenchGardenHouse and that they give you joy each time you see them!
The Ribbon in My Journal, and all things Southern Lady, and French Garden House are two of my absolute favorite go to sites/blogs for inspiration and a warm, bonding feeling for all things beautiful and loved. Phyllis and Lidy in one post…it doesn’t get any better than that. Thank you both for sharing!
Thank you so much, you are a dear.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERYTHING!!! I sure wish I could get it all…..
Just love this lady….Lidy Baars evokes a higher standard in the antique world as you can see when you visit her site, read her blog and even buy from her…You will be delightfully surprised when a treasure of quality arrives packaged like it was a gift to have you as a customer. It’s no accident that you drool over her photos and want to place yourself right in her decor vignettes…and she truly is as lovely in person as she appears on-line, thanks for the chance offered here, and thanks for sharing our sweet Lidy! Tracy
Enjoyed the article! My mother was an avid embroiderer and passed the love on to me…I collect more than embroider, but love all linens and dishware immensely…just ask my husband! Vintage pretties, of course!
Love both your sites….always such beautiful things and ideas shared (and offered as a giveaway). 🙂
I am so happy to have found your web site and hear your beautiful story; a special thanks to Phyllis at A Ribbon in My Journal for introducing you to me! I love these sweet dishes in your give away. I sometimes jokingly (really seriously) tell my husband that I could have 365 sets of dishes if we just had room to store them all! I have always had a love of vintage and antique items. I’m not sure where that love came from, as everyone in my family thinks I am silly and says “who wants old stuff, that someone else has already used?” It’s hard to explain, but after ready your story I can tell that we are “cut from the same cloth”. Knowing that someone has already loved and cherished an item, gives it so much more value! I just wish that my special pieces could talk and tell me their stories!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your give away and have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much, Barbara. You are right, I do think we are “cut from the same cloth”, I love dishes, and there is nothing that makes me happier than to set a beautiful table and gather people I love around it. It’s so nice to meet you!
I love every item you have. I love to use my antiques dishes for guest, & even give them away wrapped with homemade cookies. I’m not a fan of paper plates, however , I understand we live busy lives. I’ve been collecting& hoarding vintage linens & antiques since I was 12, I’m now 48 and can say they never loose their value or memories. Thank you for being such a inspiration to me!,Roxanne Helding
I love that you give cookies on antique plates.( I’m not a fan of paper plates either!)
Loved reading about this lovely lady. The pictures in this article are gorgeous. I too love beautiful dinner ware and table settings. Wish I had thought to have a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my table when we had dinner.
What a beautiful story…I love antiques and yes, especially those that have been handed down through the generations…they connect me to the past and to the dear family members I cherish and to those that I never had the chance to meet. I have not had the privilege of visiting French Garden House but will do so as soon as possible. Thank you again for reminding us to hold on tightly to these invaluable treasures.
I would to be the proud owner of these beautiful items!
Lidy is a true lady, and everything she sells or does reflects her exquisitely refined taste. She has the drive and character necessary to make her business a great success. Yet perhaps her greatest attribute is her rare ability to make each person feel like a dear friend, even if she has only “met” them by phone or online. So, she is my business role model and, yes … my friend!
Oh my, such gorgeous porcelain. (sigh)
I absolutely love the crowns!
Love it!
My daughter is a gemologist and I’m a life purpose coach. We dream one day of creating a beautiful website like yours.
Beautiful!
Lovely way to lose myself during hubby’s SECfootball
French Garden House a piece of elegance a pleasing and inspirational place for me. Thank you, Lucy
I have followed Fr. Garden House blog for awhile and always enjoy visiting her online shop.
Beautiful photos. Love the crowns and dishes.
i ,too, have enjoyed French Garden House and the beautiful antiques that Lidy shows us.
Kay Hazelbker Richardson, tx.
I have been aware of this gorgeous site. Thank you for the chance to win!
I am so happy to know about Lidy and her FrenchGardenHouse! Thank You!
Margie
What a lovely article on my sweet friend. It has been such a pleasure to watch Lidy grow her business. Her website, photos and blog articles, are such a source of inspiration. ~D
She is lovely!
Love this article. Enjoy each one I receive . Suzie
Ooo, pretty! Love the crowns! ; )
~Michele
I love Lidy and FGH. I have purchased from her, pinned her home, and remember when she was first featured in magazines shortly after opening her online shop. Thank you for sharing this feature on her, along with the opportunity offered to readers.
Rita