A Texas-Sized Antiques Fair in Round Top
This twice-yearly antiques event lives up to Texas’ reputation for doing things big
Since its start in 1968, the popular Antique Weekend in Round Top, Texas, has become a shopping and treasure-hunting experience that lasts longer than a weekend and exists in more locations than just Round Top. Tens of thousands of people, including designers, shoppers and vendors, descend on five rural communities to buy, sell or simply admire unique furniture, housewares and collectibles for miles. To get a sense of its flavor, here’s a report from the 2016 Antique Weekend.
Starting in Warrenton, you’ll come across The Compound, a grouping of venues composed of a barn (pictured), stables and a carriage house filled with vendors. Old World Antieks has a permanent location in La Grange, Texas, but also sets up at The Compound for Antiques Weekend twice a year.
Shoppers can find furniture and accessories in great condition, such as these leather armchairs and glass vessels ideal for styling on open shelves.
Shoppers travel from other states to experience Round Top. Amy Cole (center) came from Charlotte, North Carolina, with some of her friends. It’s her second time at Round Top. “The first time I came, I left here like the Clampetts going to Beverly Hills,” she says. “My car was stuffed to the gills.” Pictured from left are Nancy Jones (visiting from Austin), Kathleen Hinrichs, Cole, Davonne Short and Courtney Hallock.
Cole shops primarily for herself and will ship if she buys more than she can take home. She says she started going to antiques shows with her mom and began “wheeling and dealing at 10 and 11.” She plans to come again next year for a longer trip.
Cole shops primarily for herself and will ship if she buys more than she can take home. She says she started going to antiques shows with her mom and began “wheeling and dealing at 10 and 11.” She plans to come again next year for a longer trip.
During the fall show, seasonal touches nod to the holidays just around the corner, but most of the items are timeless.
Assorted copper pots are displayed on shelves in the courtyard behind The Compound.
Marburger Farm features 350 dealers on 43 acres. It charges a parking fee, so make sure to have cash on hand. Marburger is noted for its long white tents spread out in grassy fields. Most venues at Round Top are covered outdoor spaces, so guests should dress to be comfortable in the elements.
When asked what trends are on the rise, shoppers and vendors have different answers. Some treasure hunters are looking for industrial goods, some are eyeing midcentury items, and others are in the market for rustic farmhouse touches. Several vendors say shoppers want variety, mixing and matching to create their own eclectic looks.
Marburger Farm has food, picnic tables and shade so that shoppers can recharge.
The Marburger Farm booths offer a variety of wares, including vintage apparel, vintage maps and posters, and many architectural items.
This year, there were also several items with a Texas ranch look: cowhide rugs, cow horns mounted on acrylic stands, piles of antlers. This photo shows Perspective Design & Antique’s booth.
There are seven temporary tents at Marburger Farm, identified individually from A to G, plus a few permanent structures that sell goods as well.
Carolyn Machtolff of Machtolff’s Mercantile Antiques has been coming to Marburger Farm since 1998. She’s from Anaheim, California, and makes the trip twice every year. She specializes in homespun linen from Europe and Africa.
Machtolff says her pillows in homespun linen are big sellers every year.
Machtolff also adds that indigo-dyed prints from Africa are increasing in demand at every show.
Vendor Henri Delclaux comes from France to show at the fair. He said his collections of botanical prints are big sellers.
The permanent shopping space at Paul Michael Co. is air-conditioned, making it a popular stop in the late afternoon. Its interior highlights the range of items you can find at the shops.
Paul Michael has a growing marketplace in Round Top and Canton, Texas, as well as at locations in Arkansas, Louisiana and California. The company has its own line of dining and coffee tables handmade in the United States.
One of the few places that is open year-round is Bill Moore Antiques. The vendor is primarily a wholesaler, selling 90 percent of its stock to other dealers. Bill Moore has been selling at Round Top for over 17 years and has been at its current location for five years.
Brendan and Judy Ripley have a housewares business in Newbury Park, California. Judy found vintage washstands that she plans to repurpose as beverage chillers and zinc buckets that she intends to use as Christmas tree tubs.
A shopper examines antique light fixtures at Marburger Farm.
Popular destinations in Round Top include the Junk Gypsy Co., The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell and the original location of the Round Top fair, which started the whole event.
Tip: Traffic can get really backed up, especially on the last day of the show. Either plan to leave early or stay until after the main traffic rush. Some people plan ahead and tailgate with blankets, coolers and bottles of wine to make a social event of waiting for the traffic to clear.
See more photos from the 2016 show
Tell us: Did you attend or do you plan to attend Round Top this year? Upload a photo of your finds in the Comments below.
More: Antiques Shopping? Let Love Guide Your Search
Tip: Traffic can get really backed up, especially on the last day of the show. Either plan to leave early or stay until after the main traffic rush. Some people plan ahead and tailgate with blankets, coolers and bottles of wine to make a social event of waiting for the traffic to clear.
See more photos from the 2016 show
Tell us: Did you attend or do you plan to attend Round Top this year? Upload a photo of your finds in the Comments below.
More: Antiques Shopping? Let Love Guide Your Search
Where: State Highway 237 from Warrenton to Carmine via Round Top
When: April 2 through 7, 2018; start times vary
More info: Round Top Antiques Show
Tip: If you’re coming for the first time, plan ahead using the web. Don’t depend on Google Maps or Yelp while at the event — cell service is patchy at best. Fortunately, you can pick up paper maps on location.