Round Top Roundup

I have been so busy since I returned from the fabulous Round Top that I just now got around to this post.  I was so inspired by the wonderful group of women (none of us had ever met personally before) and by the vast assortment of wares and how they were displayed. There was inspiration on every corner.  Don’t get me wrong there is plenty of junk (one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, right?) but there was so much to spark the creativity genes in all of us as well. Where to begin.  By far the best part of the trip was getting to know this fabulous group of girls (note I am the only old bag in the group)! Kris from Driven by Décor encouraged me to come (on the far right).  Had I ever met her personally…nope!! She is a dead ringer for my niece Lindsey. We had a great time getting to know each other, and many laughs (more on that later). She is a blogging extraordinaire by the way if you haven't already enjoyed her blog.  Here is Kris’ post on Round Top http://www.drivenbydecor.com/2015/03/round-top-texas-antique-fair.html.   Kimberly (our tour guide), second from left, took us all to the famous Royer’s Café the first night of our trip which was a great ice breaker.  That is my daughter Jenna in the middle and Kimberly’s best friend Kim (another sweetie) on the far left.

My other blogging buddy Debra from 5th and State…  did not arrive until 2:00 a.m in the dark  (she is almost my age) and they lost her luggage!  Debra’s blog 5th and State was one of the very first blogs I ever read along with Cote de Texas.  Read Debra’s take on Roundtop here  http://5thandstate.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-round-top-with-love.html   I just knew Debra was going to be a bud and full of fun.  Here she is with her treasured horse!  She found the best stuff!!

It rained all day the first day we were there, but we were all so invigorated that it didn’t matter a bit.  Our first stop was Blue Hills, one of the many fields at Round Top.

There were so many great vendors here with so many wonderful things, beautiful lighting, vintage maps and prints, and many wonderful architectural elements.  My favorite booth was that of Summit Mercantile http://www.summitmercantile.com/.  I bought a pair of corbels and could have bought a lot more. They had fabulous stuff.

I bought these fabulous corbels from them

Later in the day we hit some of the lesser known spots.  Since we came from so far and didn’t have much time we were glad when we wandered into the Excess Field .  Our hearts began to go pitter patter. There was beautiful lighting, industrial antiques, beautiful kilims and suzanis you name it it is there.  It is a designer’s dream.
One of my favorite booths was that of Don & Maria Orwig from Indiana. I am originally a Hoosier by the way.  I seriously could have bought one of everything they had! They were so clever with their display as well.





Day 2…More gorgeous display and wares….

We loved these fabulous chairs in this booth

I will take the whole basket full thank you



One of the most creative booths that we visited was that of one of the local roundtop purveyors Lizzy Lou who has a store in downtown Roundtop.  It was like a Hollywood Theatrical Set.  Are you reading Rusty? I have a very good friend who is a retired Set Designer.  She would have gone gaga over this booth.
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She specializes in these amazing busts and full bodied animals made of vintage tapestries.  It is amazing how intricate they are.



She was working on a bulldog in her booth when we were there.  She was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.  She made this gorgeous table.

I bought this vintage box from here.  It may go in my game room or it may make an appearance at the barn sale (May 2) I am not sure


Jenna and I thought this guy would be fabulous in a Restaurant.  These were all over the place!

The guy that had this gorgeous lighting didn’t even open on Day 1 due to the rain.  Trust me we tracked him down the next day!! I have a client who is going to be purchasing one of these beauties. Sorry for the poor picture!

If I could have packed one of these clocks in my suitcase trust me I would have

Beautiful American Antiques at the booth of  Renee & Terry Cormier from Rhode Island








I bought these fabulous juggling pins from them.  I have a thing for juggling pins.  These are the nicest I have seen. They will be making an appearance at the Barn Sale May 2


I also purchased the wonderful panels.  Can you guess what they were used for?

The night before we left we went to dinner in one of the small towns.  They had antiques set up around the square in this quaint little town.  I don’t know what got into me but I purchased this squirrel for $12.  I know he is kind of cute and cheap, right? 

In the heat of the moment it didn’t dawn on me that he weighed about 10 lbs.  Who pays $12 for a squirrel and takes him all the way to California, right?  I carried him home in my purse.  Debra, Jenna, Kris and I stopped for some real texas bbq on the way to the airport.  I put my purse on the back of the chair got up to get some salsa….BAM!! Everyone in the restaurant came to attention.  That was only the beginning of the antics of what became known as the 100 lb squirrel.  I tried to pawn him off on Kris, but she passed.
We all had a wonderful time, Mr.  Squirrel included.  We so appreciated the hospitality of Kimberly and Kim.  They served us fabulous breakfasts every morning, and nibbles and cocktails every evening.  I think we all can’t wait to go back!!
Thank you tall for the kind thoughts about our dear friend.  Hospice has come on board and we are hoping he will come home in the next day or two.