Sherry, Burger and I recently took a day trip to Washington, DC and made a point to visit the city’s historic Eastern Market. Built in 1873 near Capitol Hill, Eastern Market is the longest continuously operating marketplace in the District. It bursts with activity on weekends—farmers, artisans and collectors gather for the Saturday farmer’s market and the lively flea market on Sundays. The Sunday we visited was chilly and overcast, but the market was still buzzing with energy and a steady stream of shoppers.

The stalls offered a wide variety of goods, from handmade jewelry and original paintings to antique furniture and vintage collectibles. It was a refreshing change from mall chains and big-box stores—plenty of one-of-a-kind finds and unique decorative pieces. Several vendors were selling rustic iron-framed mirrors that caught our eye; their patina and design would work well in many home décors.

Another stall combined old windows with mirrors to create framed pieces that felt both vintage and modern. These repurposed items offered a creative alternative to mass-produced wall décor and would make striking focal points in a hallway or living room.

Furniture vendors were plentiful. One booth showcased Asian-inspired pieces with clean lines and rich finishes. Even though we haven’t added an Asian piece to our home yet, seeing these options reminded us where to look when we decide to incorporate that aesthetic into our décor.

We also found a mid-century display case that perfectly matched our taste. It would have been a distinctive replacement for a typical bookcase or china cabinet, offering a retro vibe with practical storage—unfortunately it wouldn’t fit in our car that day.

One booth in particular stole our attention: a treasure trove of vintage ephemera, including maps, photographs and old-fashioned keys. Small accents like these keys can add charm when grouped in a jar or scattered across a styled side table. The variety and history behind each piece made browsing a delight.

We were even more captivated by boxes of woodblock printing letters stacked at another stall. These classic printing press letters felt nostalgic and decorative—perfect for creating a personalized display or adding vintage typographic interest to a shelf.

Sherry and I already have a soft spot for woodblock letters. Early in our relationship we bought a set at a flea market in New York: our initials and a “7” to celebrate the July 7th anniversary when we began dating—an anniversary that later became our wedding date. Those letters now sit in our guest bedroom as a small, sentimental display that reminds us of the early days of our life together.

At Eastern Market we couldn’t resist picking up a few more woodblock letters—priced reasonably at around $3 each—to top a stack of wedding cards and notes we keep on our living room console. It’s a small, sentimental touch, but those little artifacts and love letters make a home feel personal. Visiting Eastern Market was a reminder of why flea markets and antique fairs remain popular: they offer unexpected discoveries, tangible links to the past, and the chance to find pieces that tell a story in your own home.