5 Tips For Shopping Round Top Antique Market {and a few gems I spotted}

April 6, 2017

If you’ve been following me on Instagram you know I was at the Round Top Antiques Market last week. And boy was it a blast.

I know you’re dying to see what I purchased but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll show you what I bought along with more highlights from my trip.

Today I want to share some tips I have for shopping the mega Round Top market in case you ever want to attend.

If you’re never been to the Round Top before let me give you a few market stats…

The Round Top Antiques Market has been going on for 20+ years.
The show originally started in a single barn facility and now spans miles and miles over several towns.
The population of Round Top is just 99 but during the market season the number of people in town swells in to the 1000’s.
There are over 350 dealers at Round Top (actually, it feels like more than that).
Dealers comes from all across the US and the world. And some dealers even bring containers full of European goods to sell.
Several venues charge a fee to get in (usually $10 or less) but the majority of shopping sites are free. Parking is free in most cases as well.
The market is set up to accommodate cars, vans, trailers and even small trucks and buses.
Shipping services are available if you happen to find a furniture piece that won’t fit in the back of your car 🙂
Lots of the items are Round Top are EXPENSIVE but don’t let that scare you off because there are tons of affordable items too. There really is something for everyone.

SHOPPING ROUND TOP ANITQUES MARKET

#1. Plan To Spend Multiple Days Shopping. There are two major Round Top Antiques Market shows each year, one in spring and one in the fall. Each show last 5 days with many of the vendors actually setting up shop and selling a week or two before the official opening date.

The show spans over several miles with venues set up all along the main route and off the side roads.

Because the number of dealers is so large, the range of items that you’ll find for sale is beyond the imagination. There is literally something for everyone and items are every price-point.

In order to see all that Round Top has to offer, you need to plan for 2 to 3 days of shopping. Map out the areas you want to visit ahead of time based on the kinds of items you’re shopping for.

#2. Know What You’re Looking For. Everyone that attends Round Top has their own shopping list in mind. While many people are looking for large furniture pieces others like me are looking for smaller collectibles.

To keep me focused on what I’m shopping for, I’ve found it helpful to make a visual shopping list with photos.

When you make your shopping list, take time to study the types of items you’re looking for. If you’re a real collector, you want to know the real thing from a reproduction. And even though many of the dealers are selling authentic vintage and antique items you will run across reproductions, found objects and even a few ‘garage sale’ type finds.

#3. Wheel and Deal. If you’re not a natural born negotiator, make sure you have someone with’you that is. Like all flea markets and antique shops, the dealers are ready and prepared to negotiate price. So as not to offend a seller, you always want to ask for a better price in a polite way. I’ve found that asking the question, “what’s the best price you can do” always gets some type of discount. If the price still isn’t what you want to pay, throw out a price and see if the dealer bites.

Tip: If you see multiple items at one dealer that you are interested in, ask the dealer what discount they could offer if you purchased them all. Typically dealers will knock 10% to 20% off the price.

#4. Go Off The Beaten Path. One of the things we discovered last year headed to Round Top is that there are lots of great antique shops in the small towns outside the main market area. Most of the shops had a great selection of small items like collectibles, tabletop items and small furniture pieces. And the prices were more reasonable than the what you find at Round Top.

** Favorite local shop: Whistle Stop Antiques in Giddings, Texas

#5. Plan To Have Lots Of Fun. There is a lot to see and do in Round Top so a fun time is guaranteed. In addition to shopping, make sure to visit the ‘city center’ where Royers restaurant and pie shop are located. And keep you camera handy to snap photos of the beautiful farmhouses and churches as you pass through the city.

I’m already looking forward to attending Round Top again next year because there’s still so much to see and experience.

all images by ConfettiStyle

My Round Top Antiques Market Shopping List

March 30, 2017

If all goes according to plan I’ll be shopping up at storm at the Round Top Antiques Market in just a few days.

I attended Round Top for the first time last year. Even though I had an idea of what I hoped to find, the magnitude of the show (and the cold weather) stopped me from doing my best shopping. This year it’s going to be a different story. The weather is going to be warm, I’ve been brushing up on my vintage shopping skills and I’ve got a LIST!

Over the years I’ve found that shopping with a list when I go to a flea market or antique store keeps me focused and yields better results. So when I hit Round Top this year not only will I be shopping with a written list but I’ll also have photos to serve as inspiration. Want a peek at what’s on my shopping list…check it out below.

Since I love all things chinoiserie, I’ll be on the hunt for anything in that genre. I’m hoping to luck upon some Staffordshire dogs in white both for me and my Etsy shop.

I’ll also be looking for vintage fashion books. I may have mentioned this before but I have a degree in fashion merchandising and spent most of my corporate career as a buyer and merchandising executive. My love for fashion runs deep!

Right up there with my love of fashion is my love of vintage jewelry. I love finding pieces that I can use to make my own custom jewelry and anything tassel and bejeweled is what I’m looking for.

One of the things I sell a lot of in my Etsy shop is vintage toast racks. I show them as a desk accessory holding stationery and notecards which is such a fun way to use these days. I found a couple last year and Round Top and hope to find some unique pieces this market.

One of things on my personal shopping list is vintage dinnerware. Even though I can find pieces locally, I hoping to find a few unique designs to add to my collection.

Two items that I think I might not have luck finding are vintage wallpaper rolls and Asian art brushes. I don’t often see these items when out shopping but I’m hoping that Round Top will deliver.

Also on the chinoiserie list is a monkey bowl and a pair of bamboo stools. I lucked upon a blue and white monkey last year and posted a photo on Instagram. One of my followers wanted to purchase it so I sold it to her. Now I’m on the hunt for another one which I will be keeping.

Bamboo stools….wish me luck!

So there you have it, a look at my Round Top shopping list. And in case you were wondering, I’ll have my eyes open for other items as well like ironstone, blue and white pottery and brass pieces.

You can check out last years trip to Round Top here.

MY ROUND TOP ANTIQUE MARKET SHOPPING LIST

p.s. In route to Round Top we’ll be stopping in Jackson, Mississippi so if there are any great antique stores or flea markets in that area leave me a comment and let me know.

Happy Monday & my latest vintage finds!

March 13, 2017

Hey there friends. I hope the day started off great for you. Between Day Light Savings Time and insomnia, I woke up feeling gloomy. After getting dressed, I did some mediation followed by a cup of tea and those two things helped me refocus and re-energize.

I’ve meditated on and off over the years but after getting away from it I’m trying hard to make it a daily practice. It really does make a difference in how I manage my day and most importantly how I feel. If you’ve never tried mediation, here’s a great article that outlines 8 Way Meditation Can Improve Your Life.

Now on to the fun stuff…

Over the weekend I did sneak in some time to hit up one of my favorite antique stores. I haven’t had time to go antique shopping lately so I took my time walking the aisles of the store. Here are a few things I found.

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The last few months, I’ve been selling lots of Ironstone in my Etsy shop so I’m on the hunt for some new pieces. This sugar jar was a great find and I love the design.

I already own one of these mini blue and white garden stools so this one will go in my shop. It would look great on bookshelf as a bookend.

The pattern on this creamer grabbed my attention and I love the design of the handle.

This large blue and white floral pitcher was just sitting in the corner waiting for me. Sell or not to sell…that is the question?

I purchased a similar elephant the last time I was in Oklahoma for my Etsy shop so I didn’t hesitate when I saw this one. I’m going to keep it and use it as a perch to hold a plant or stack of books.

Did anyone else go thrifting over the weekend and if so, what did you find?

New Entertaining & Design Books To Love

January 24, 2017

Design books are one of my guilt pleasures!

Yes, I use them for design inspiration and decorating but books just make me happy. Every January and July I pop into my favorite book wholesaler at the Atlanta Gift and Furniture market and treat myself to a few new books. The vendor I shop with has most of the new and upcoming releases so I can actually flip through the book to get a feel for the images and content before I purchase. I don’t know about you but when it comes to design books the images can make or break a purchase.

Here are the books you’ll want to check out and add to your bookshelf …

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Country Living Salvage Style. This is a must is you love to shop flea markets, thrift stores and antique shops. The book is published by Country Living and is filled with beautiful and inspirational images of vintage treasures restyled in decor settings. The cover alone will make you want to buy this book.

Old Home Love. This book was written Andy and Candice Meredith the couple behind HGTV’s newest TV show of the same name, Old Home Love. The book shares the passion the couple have to renovate old homes in Utah. If you’re a fan of DIY decor and rehab style you’ll find lots of inspiration and maybe even the desire to purchase an old home.

Verandah Entertaining. If you love to entertain and create beautiful tablescapes you’ll want to get this book. The book walks you through every aspect of entertaining from table settings and food prep to decor and flowers. No matter what level of entertaining you do, big or small, formal or casual, you’ll find the tips and inspiration you need to throw a stylish party.

Flea Market Style. This is a great book that will speak to those of you that love the thrill of the hunt. Published by Better Homes and Gardens, the book shows you inspiring design ideas using thrifted finds. And there are lots of tips for shopping flea markets and thrift stores.

The Decorated Home. Interior designer Meg Braff shares her personal style plus the essential design elements she thinks every room needs. The book is beautifully written with captivating photos.

I also ordered a few titles that have been on my shopping list for a while…

Cottage Style: A Palette of White

Designed in White

Simply Styling: Fresh and Easy Ways To Personalize Your Home

Tracery: The Art of Southern Design

Happy Reading!

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My Latest Flea Market Finds–Road Trip Treasures

October 11, 2016

Whenever we drive to see my mom in Oklahoma, we plan a few pit stops at flea markets and antique stores along the way. I typically find an item or two but nothing to brag about. This trip however was different. I lucked upon lots of unique pieces at great prices. Most of what I found will go in my Etsy shop but I am keeping a couple of items for myself.

Staffordshire dogs are really popular right now and I found a couple of different dog pieces. The first was this single dalmatian figurine. I know these were originally sold in a set as bookends but as a single it makes a great decor pieces for a bookshelf.

The other dog pieces I found was this set of dalmatian bookends. I’m tempted to keep these but into the Etsy shop they’ll go.

This blue and white lidded jar is so cute. If it wasn’t for its petite size you’d think it was a garden stool. I snapped this piece up for $5.00 and I’m going to keep it for myself.

I’m also on the look out for brass trays and this one had beautiful details. It’s pretty large in size and would make a great bar tray.

I love milk glass and see these bowls quite often but have never purchased one. The embossed fruit motif on the bottom is so intricate and pretty and the bowl is super heavy.

I don’t know how long the brass pineapple trend is going to last but I keep buying them if I can find them at a good price. I already own two so I’m going to be listing this lidded piece in the shop after I clean it up a bit.

This pretty brass letter holder has me in a quandary…sell or keep? The design is really pretty and you can tell its a great quality piece. Since I have good luck selling letter holders in my shop I’ll probably sell this one.

I also found a silver-plated one that needs some TLC. It was less than $3.00 so if it doesn’t clean up well I’ll just keep it.

My favorite find of the trip was this ceramic elephant stool. It’s in great condition and I practically stool it from the dealer with the price they had on it.

Don’t you just love my latest flea market finds?

For those of you living in Memphis, you might want to check out the Antique Mall Warehouse. I found most of the chinoiserie and brass pieces there.

If you want to check out my Etsy shop, head here.

Happy hunting!

On A Personal Note–Vintage Toast Racks

September 21, 2016

♠ VINTAGE TOAST RACKS ♠

I’ve mentioned before that I have an Etsy shop where I sell vintage decor and handcrafted items. One of my best-selling items are vintage toast racks. Whenever I come across one in good quality I pick it up. You might be thinking that I sell these rack to use to hold toast but you’d be wrong. After buying my first toast rack and styling it as a stationery/letter holder, that’s how I’ve been promoting them ever since.

via ConfettiStyle Designs

Most of the racks I’ve round have been silver-plated but you can find them in brass, milk glass or even decorative ceramic styles like this blue and white beauty. #yesplease

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Toast Racks are the perfect chic storage piece to hold thank-you notes, bills or small electronics like your cell or linens. During the holidays, they are a great way to display Christmas cards without taking up a lot of room.

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They come in all shapes and sizes and prices can range from as little as $5.00 up to hundreds of dollars.

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Designs range from ornate and Victorian to simple and classic and some designs have more slots than others.

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When shopping for vintage toast racks on Etsy, use these search terms to narrow your findings: toast rack , letter rack, card holder, letter holder, Victorian rack

I’ve made shopping easy for you and rounded up a few of my favorite toast racks, all under $20!

This one is for all you blue and white lovers.

This one is perfect for a desk and can hold more than just stationery.

If your style is art deco, you’ll love this one.

And I love this brass swan piece.

We’re heading off on a road trip tomorrow and I plan to stop at a few flea markets along the way. Fingers crossed that I score a few toast racks.

Treasure Hunting At Scott Antique Market

May 17, 2016

It’s been quite a while since I’ve visited the Scott Antique Market and even longer since I’ve done a post about the market.

Last Thursday I woke up and decided to make the trek down to Scott’s to check out the show and see if I cold snag any great pieces. The Scott Antique Market is definitely one of my favorite antique shows and every time I go I’m wowed by all the vintage, antique and sometimes new pieces that the dealers have. This market I spotted lots of great pieces…

There were a lot of really great oversized mirrors. I can envision this beauty in a foyer or positioned at the top of a stair landing.

One of the great things about the Scott Antique Market is the number of custom furniture dealers that attend. If you have a challenging area or simply desire a custom piece, you can find many options at this market.

I loved this upholstered banquet which if just made for a breakfast or dining area.

The turned wood arm-chair with grey linen fabric. Perfect for a beach house.

My friend Julie whose an upholsterer and owns The Upholstery Fashionista is known for her faux animal skin upholstered pieces. She sells pieces in this fabric every month and these chairs were her newest pieces. She’s also known for the details she puts in every piece like the burlap back and sides of these chairs.

Cut stools in a fun fabric.

I spotted a lot of great farm tables this show.

A pretty bench cushion sofa with great lines and a tufted back.

I adored this bench and the fabric it was in.

The table would make a great kitchen island.

Lots of classic vintage furniture with beautiful hardware and details.

Check out the carved wood detail on this piece.

A beautiful buffet with gorgeous carved doors.

There is always lots of blue and white chinoiserie pottery. This bowl was oversized and I loved the octagon shape.

These foo dogs were super-size.

Lots of blue and white ginger jars and vases.

This dealer has the most gorgeous preserved flowers and arrangements and his booth is always packed.

I’m on the hunt for vintage Japanese calligraphy brushes but these were incredibly expensive so I passed.

One of my favorite dealers always have unique bottles and jars. Most of these were $35 or less.

If you love industrial pieces you’ll find lots to choose from at Scott.

May of the outdoor dealers sell vintage olive buckets which can be used for plants, magazines or just about anything.n

There is always an abundance of wood crates..some old and some reproduction.

One of the permanent outdoor dealers always have a good collection of brass door hardware.

I’d love to create a wall display with a grouping of these brass numbers.

I’ve mentioned before that the market is made up of two buildings so there are hundreds of dealers to shop from and you never know what you’ll find. There are a couple of dealers that I always shop with and here are a few of the pieces I scored this market.

I wasn’t really looking for anything for me this show but was focused on finding a few items for my Etsy shop. But I did find a few things I’m going to keep.

I sell a lot of these silver-plated toast rack so I buy them whenever I come across a great deal. I also bought this brass shell dish which need some major polishing and this pewter pineapple dish. All of these items will be going in my shop.

Vintage globes are hard to come across at a good price so I was happy to find this one for less than $10.

I bought this pair of brass candle holders for $6.00. Score!

And lucked upon this brass book stand. I’ve sold 3 or 4 of the in my shop before.

I scored this beautiful oversized blue and white vase for $10–another great find.

And I’m always on the hunt for Christmas items for the shop. These napkins were just .50 cents each.

And my favorite finds of the show were these acrylic drawer pulls for just $2.00 each! These babies and big and chunky and I’m keeping these.

And these Staffordshire Dogs which I scored for $20.

I must say, I had a pretty good haul this show.

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If you’ve never been to Scott Antique Market before but are planning a visit, here are few shopping tips:

Tips for Scott Antique Market:

* The market opens at 10:30 on the second Thursday of each month (but get there about 20 minutes early as they tend to let cars in early)

* There is a shuttle bus (Fri, Sat, Sun) that will shuttle you between the two buildings (runs about every 15 minutes)

* There are food vendors on site and some of them look really good.

* If you want a great deal, shop the outdoor vendors. Many of them shut-down when the weather is not but those that stay open are willing to negotiate.

* Bring cash–a lot of vendors take checks but you’ll get a better deal if you’re negotiating with cash–{cash machines on site}

* Saturday night of the market there is an auction that takes place where great deals can be had. More details here.

* Bring your own tote bags or rolling bags. Most vendors have hand-me-down plastic grocery bags for you to put your treasures in.

* Plan on spending a full day at the show to see both buildings and the outdoor spaces.

Hope you enjoyed this overview of Scott Antique Market and hope to see you at the show next month.

Round Top Antiques Market–An Inside Look

April 6, 2016

I’m back today with at look at my trip to the Round Top Antiques Market in Round Top, Texas. If you’ve never been to Round Top before, this post should give you an inside look at the market through the eyes of an avid antique and vintage shopper.

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Attending Round Top has been on my bucket list for some time now. I’ve heard so many great things about the market and was excited to check it out for myself.

Here’s what I thought of the market, what I saw and a few things I purchased.

The Round Top Antique Market spans over about a 15 to 20 mile stretch of road. There are buildings and tents all along the route selling antiques and vintage goods and even some vendors off the main road selling odds and ends. Unless you attend the show for a number of days, there is no way to stop at every shopping spot. If you are only attending the market for a day or two, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead and determine which spots you want to shop.

La Bahia Antiques Show is one of places we stopped and shopped. This area is made up of permanent buildings and tented vendors and you’ll find all types of vintage decor and housewares here. I spotted lots of great items and although many were in my opinion were over-priced, most of the dealers were willing to negotiate.

This outdoor vendor had an amazing selection silver-plate items but most were very over-priced and when you asked for his best price he seemed offended. Needless to say he didn’t get our business.

One of the best blue and white tabletop dealers is located at La Bahia and his selection of items was impressive. His prices were a bit stiff but he was willing to negotiate which gave him two thumbs up in my book.

After La Bahia we stopped at a barn along the road where ‘Poor Richard’ was selling goods. He had a mx of items including large furniture pieces and miscellaneous tabletop and decor items. And Richard was a nice as can be so shopping with him was a pleasure.

This oversized brass urn was $25 dollars but was a bit worn for my liking so I passed.

I did buy these beautiful ironstone bowls for practically nothing! A definite score!

Poor Richard was also selling these amazing tree stumps…so gorgeous!

There was a lady near Poor Richards selling items for $1.00 and my shopping mates scored big with her. They had picked over the table by the time I made it over there 🙁

Our next stop was the Big Red Barn. This is one of several sites at Round Top that charge a fee to get in ($10 at the Red Barn). If you are shopping for high-end antiques this is definitely a place you want to check out.

Check out this antique ribbon holder. So many beautiful details including some of the most beautiful brass pulls I’ve ever seen.

This scale was amazing and I think it was around $2700.

I had a vintage paper roll rack on my shopping list but every one I came across was several hundred dollars. This one was amazing because it held three different size paper rolls.

There was lots of ironstone (check out the prices)

After the Red Barn we traveled up the road and stopped a several different places.

Lots of beautiful Staffordshire Dog statutes…

Beautiful blue and white antiques…

Isn’t this the most beautiful chamber pot you’ve ever seen. I really, really wanted to this piece but couldn’t pull the trigger on the price.

Old doors with lots of charm and character…

I spotted several dealers that also show at Scott Antique Market here in Atlanta and was happy to see that they didn’t increase their prices on some of their tried and true items.

The one place that we didn’t stop at but I will be sure to check out the next time I’m there is the Warrenton area. This area was loaded with tented vendors and the selection of items appeared to be good as we drove through.

All in all, Round Top Antiques Market is a great show and has something to offer everyone. Here are a few tips I have for shopping the market:

TIPS FOR SHOPPING ROUND TOP ANTIQUES MARKET

Create a shopping list so that you stay focused on the items you are looking for. Doing a little research before hand will also help you think about what you’re willing to pay for an item and it will help you when negotiating with dealers.
Take a camera or make sure your phone is fully charged so you can take pictures as you shop. You can always turn around and go back to a location you saw an item at and picture of the piece and location will help.
Take cash. I did see some vendor accepting credit cards and checks but cash is king and you’ll get a better deal if you are negotiating with cash.
Carry a tote bag or rolling cart. Many of the shopping areas are large and you’ll want to be comfortable carrying your purchases as you shop.
Take it with you or have it shipped. There are several shipping business located throughout the show so if you see something that won’t fit on the plane or in the trunk, consider having it shipped.
Dress in layers. Our shopping day started out nice, then it rained a bit and then it got super windy and cold.
Visit the free shopping areas and by-pass the paid spots like the Big Red Barn and Marburger. I promise you won’t miss anything and you’ll find everything you can image in the free tents and buildings.
Negotiate. Most dealers are prepared to negotiate on the price and many of them will offer you a fair deal. Several times I looked items up on Etsy and Ebay in front of the dealer and they offered better pricing because they saw I was up to speed on the prices.
Plan to spend a little time in downtown Round Top which as some cute shops, restaurants and outdoor vendors that set up during the show.
Like most antique markets these days, you’ll see lots of vintage and antique reproductions of if you’re not sure what you’re looking at, ask the dealers to tell you a bit about the history of an item. And, keep in mind that in most cases when you see a true antique, you’re not going to see multiples of the same item. Multiples of an item often signals a reproduction especially with furniture, lighting and some tabletop pieces.