Monday, March 23, 2015

Round Top Antique Week- Tips for The Best Shopping Experience

Round Top, Texas is a quaint little town north west of Houston by about two hours. Twice a year it comes to life along with all the other sleepy little towns surrounding it for Antique Week. The original Round Top Antique Spring Show is the first weekend of April this year. Vendors from all across the country come to set up and many of them show up two weeks before the actual Round Top Antique Weekend.  
Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours

To avoid the traffic and crowds I headed up to Round Top this past weekend. I was not sure how many vendors would be open but to my surprise there were quiet a few. Many vendors show up early because vendors who participate in the actual antique weekend come and shop them to only resell in their own booths. 
Round Top- Blue Hills-French Bottle Drying Rack-From My Front Porch To Yours
You will find treasures of all kinds like this huge bottle drying rack.
Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
Vendors sell not only antiques but also new items as well like this cow art work.
Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
You will find one of kind pieces like these tall script vintage doors.
Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
Looking around is a lot of fun but it can also be overwhelming at times. 
French Laundry Home-Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
My most favorite booth to shop was the French Laundry Home booth at Blue Hills. I HIGHLY suggest you stop by and visit these ladies. French Laundry Home carries the most beautiful bedding and linens.
French Laundry Home-Round Top- Blue Hills- From My Front Porch To Yours
I tell ya it was so hard not to bring home one of everything from the ladies and part of me wants to hop back in the car and go visit them again but I will wait till the fall show comes around so I can purchase some seasonal pillows from them. I will let you in on a little secret- You will find the best deals here!
Round Top-From My Front Porch To Yours
For miles and miles there are so many places you can stop and shop.
Round Top- From My Front Porch To Yours
This table was divine and would be perfect as a kitchen island.
Round Top- From My Front Porch To Yours
Round Top-Butcher Block Island- From My Front Porch To Yours
Round Top- Paper Mache Cow-From My Front Porch To Yours
You will find anything and everything you could ever imagine when visiting even a paper mache bull.Round Top-Antique Church Pew- From My Front Porch To Yours
Round Top-Antique Cow Crock- From My Front Porch To Yours
I had found the perfect crock but sadly it staid there because my pockets were not deep enough to bring it home.
Round Top-Transferware- From My Front Porch To Yours
Round Top- From My Front Porch To Yours
It was quite the experience to walk around and see everything. Here are some tips that I think will come in handy if you are thinking of making a trip to Round Top.

1. Before you even go make a plan of attack. Look online to see what shows are open and when. You can view a listing of most of the shows here. Decide when you want to go. You will NOT be able to see everything in just one day so you may need to plan multiple DAY trips.

2. Make a list of things you are on the hunt for. Take measurements before you go if you are needing things such as old doors,windows or pieces of furniture. Making a list also helps to keep you from being overwhelmed when looking.

3.Check the weather and if it has been raining at all even a week out make sure you wear rain boots! It will be EXTREMELY muddy and you will not be able to get into a lot of the booths because of the mud. If no rain boots tennis shoes are a must. Your feet will be ready to fall off by the end of the day!

4. It can get hot so pack some bottled water and sunscreen.

5. Bring a bag or small cart to put your purchases in.

6. Make sure you bring cash! Some vendors will take debit/credit cards but wifi is spotty and you may find yourself out of luck if you do not have cash on hand. Also vendors are more willing to make you a deal if you have cash because they do not have to pay the credit card processing fees.

7. 
Keep in mind when offering a lower price. Make sure it is reasonable. Do not waste the vendors or your time low balling. They spend so much time setting up for the event and most camp out there for the two weeks without a lot of the comforts of home. You will find the best deals to be made will be on the last day of the show. Vendors will not want to pack up their stuff and haul it back home so if you are wanting steals that will be the time to head up there.

8. Bring your patience!! The closer you get to the actual Antique Weekend the busier these places get. Traffic a lot of times is at a stand still and parking hard to find. Some places you will have to pay to park.

9. Speaking of paying to park while a lot of the shows are free to get into there are some that you have to pay to see such as Marburger Farm so keep that in mind when you are getting cash to bring.

10. I HIGHLY recommend that you do not bring children. There will be so many people there depending on when you go. It is very difficult to push strollers thru the fields and impossible if it is muddy. There are not any easy restrooms or places to to sit and rest for the little ones. My boys are 11 and 9 and though they enjoy antiquing with me from time to time they would have hated going to Round Top and thus in return made the experience unbearable.

Sharing at these wonderful blogs:
Between Naps on The Porch
Dwellings
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style

24 comments:

  1. Pamela,
    Happy to see that you got to the show...did you shop the North Field and Bar W Field? Those two were the best for me back in the Fall. Thank you for sharing this trip at my Show and Share party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love TX Antiques Week! I'm going Saturday and then next Thurs-Sat. Where is Blue Hills at? I don't think I've been there before. From your pics I would like to check it out!

    Shannon from BohemianJunktion.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never been to Round Top but it is on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing all of those great tips with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So many eye-candy! Thanks for taking us along Pamela!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a fun trip! Would love to go some time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is on my bucket list! I'd love to shop at Round Top! Thanks for all the tips!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. If you've never been to Jill Suzann's Little House on the Hill Field, you absolutely must! She's a Texas girl, from my hometown, and has the best stuff ever. Her candles are to die for and the things she makes with old watches, jewelry and other things is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I never would have thought of going early. What a great tip! I am drooling after seeing your pictures....
    Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere

    ReplyDelete
  9. A native Texan here and I've never been to Round Top. :) Thanks for sharing the photos and all the great tips. I see so many interesting things in the pics...can only imagine the real life views. I think going in the fall is a great idea!

    xo
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  10. This event looks like a great way to spend a day.
    Have a great week.
    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  11. One of these days I want to go. I love French Laundry Home and have quite a few of her pillows. She is always at the Country Living Fair and I got some on Joss & Main and One Kings Lane. I need another red ticking box pillow. She only had one last fall.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I will never get there, sadly so thanks for the virtual tour! So many great things!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a fun trip! I'm getting out of the antiques business soon, but this still looks like a fun place to go search for things for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Pamela! I dream of going to Round Top one of these days! Loved your pics and tips... thank you! ~julie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Round Top is on my bucket list!!....And I have to remember to go to French Laundry in High Point...it is only 45 minutes from me!...loved the pics and tips Pamela!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bucket list here too! Thank you for all the wonderful pics and the tips! I loved the giant tooth and the turquoise table.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I LOVE the metal gazebo in the first picture!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Round Top is on my bucket list. I am going to go one day. I bet you had the best time in the early shopping. I know a lot of the shop keepers from here go to Round Top to find the treasures to sell in their shops. I was swooning over your pics.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  19. These were such great tips! I love going twice a year and can't wait to make it over Sunday!

    www.lonestarlauren.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Please show more pictures for us that will never get to go
    I love seeing the pictures
    I wan that first pic of the cow and the pig over the french dresser or side board

    ReplyDelete
  21. Please show more pictures for us that will never get to go
    I love seeing the pictures
    I wan that first pic of the cow and the pig over the french dresser or side board

    ReplyDelete
  22. I want to go so badly and your photos are practically making me drool all over my keyboard! Look at all the goodies! Wow! I could shop and shop and shop (if I had deeper pockets) LOL! I'm sure even my shallow pockets would allow me to come away with a ton of treasures! I will get there one year! Glad you are having fun! Hugs, Leena

    ReplyDelete
  23. Making sure to have the measurements of things that you want is a good idea. It would be sad if you bought something and then it didn't fit in your house. I'll have to keep that in mind. I've never gone antiqueing before, but it should be fun. http://www.crissy.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. This popped up in my feed today...cool! We have a great map at www.roundtop.com. Happy hunting!

    ReplyDelete

I love when ya stop by so leave me a comment if ya have some time! I always try and respond but sadly enough sometimes I am unable to return the love due to noreply blogger status.