Saturday, May 14, 2011

Exhausted, poor but happy!



This has been a very long week for me and I’m exhausted. I’ve been hard at work but my work can be extremely fun especially when it means shopping! It’s the start of the antique season for us on the east coast and it really gets a start with Brimfield, an antique show that takes place three times a year and has over 5000 dealers spanning 21 fields, it goes on for miles! To start the week off is an annual antique textile show in Sturbridge, MA and being an antique textile dealer of course I’m first in line. The line was just getting started here but by the time the doors opened this line was the longest I’ve ever seen it and I’ve been going to this show for well over ten years.

Wendy Lewis

Here’s Wendy Lewis who owns Textile Trunk in Vermont and just began showing at the textile show but is a staple at the New England Motel antique show one of the Brimfield show fields with over 400 dealers on this field alone. Wendy who is known for her grain sacks and large variety of linen and hemp sheets also offers a wonderful selection of 19th century printed textiles. I’ve know Wendy forever, before her second child was born but this is the first time I’ve met her in person and I have to say she’s just as lovely, warm and friendly in person, it was so great to finally meet her. My bad since she only lives one state over!


Beautiful French and English offerings at Wendy's booth....

Carolyn Forbes

Another favorite dealer is Carolyn Forbes of Carolyn Forbes Textiles standing in front of a display of 18th century textiles. She has a studio located right here in beautiful New Hampshire and can be found showing throughout the east coast. Carolyn features not only textiles but also a large display of clothing as well.


There were so many people at this show that taking pictures was a tad tough, this front woman was thrilled my flash went off in her face....lol.


If you’ve never heard of Marston House you really should get to know it especially those of you who are true Francophiles. The Marston House is own by Paul and Sharon Marston and own a bed and breakfast in Maine they also own property in Luberon a small town located in Provence. Their 17th century home in Luberon has several apartments for rent throughout the season.


Sharon is seen here after dying linens in her 17th century home.


One of the views outside her window in Luberon, talk about picturesque!


The slipcovers were made from some of Sharon's dyed linens, her linens are amazingly deep in saturated color.


A pair of panels that were on offer at the textile show made from tapestry fragments. A bit out of my price range at $25,000 but still beautiful.


Just a few of the textiles I brought home featuring an 18th century French silk brocade, 16th century pillow that needs to be remade, a small silk velvet Fortuny purse, a very early Fortuny hanging and a 17th century tapestry hanging with a rare crest motif.


While driving home I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures out my truck window since driving was slowed to a crawl. These are images of dealers setting up for the Brimfield antique show.


You can see from the front that the tents go on for as far as the eye can see.


Just some of the offerings at Brimfield. This show really offers it all and if you can't find it then you don't need it! At the time of this posting there's only one more day left of the show at Brimfield but you can always make plans for the next shows in July and September and don't forget to bring cash!


29 comments:

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello:
Riches indeed at these wonderful shows. You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to antiques and all such good quality and beautifully presented.

Your purchases lok to be most iteresting. We love the faded colours of your antique textiles and are sure that you will breathe new life into them. We wonder what the crest signifies?

savvycityfarmer said...

I can't EVEN imagine!!

were you in the line????

Trouvais said...

Can't tell you how often thoughts of hoping on a plane crossed my mind! Thank you for letting me tag along a bit with you! Love your stash...that purse! Heavenly...thank you! XO Trish

under spanish moss said...

What wonderful textiles. Do you get any? Sounds like a fun yet exhausting event. Have a beautiful weeekend.

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

What an amazing ezvent this is, did you have a stall Debra?
Sharon
x

LaPouyette said...

Great - Great - Great!!!!
Can feel the atmosphere!
Reminds me on the days when I went off to the Deballages here in France, also fields and fields and fields.....
It looks that you had 'Happy Hunting'! And hopefully a few cents left for Dylan and Mr. Man (ha-ha). I always came back with empty pockets and often with an overdraft on the bank account.....
xxxkarin

Anonymous said...

This is beyond my imagination. Visiting through your eyes is the closest I will ever get to attending. Thanks for sharing.

The Cloth Shed said...

My brother was at Brimfield again this time and managed to buy loads of things to ship back to the UK. Looking at your photos made me wish I had gone with him....I had forgotten the scale of the place!
Julie x

Acanthus and Acorn said...

I have never been to Brimfield, but have certainly enjoyed listening to Martha Stewart talk it about her finds there...and her lack of a small budget :) I bet you had a blast. The fabrics are just incredible!

The enchanted home said...

OMG....this post has me drooling all over my keyboard. I was feeling so tired but this perked me right up!! Wow those textiles are JUST INCREDIBLE!! How much fun that must be!!! I have heard of Brimfield, never been but would LOVE to go! I think its also in the fall? If its the same one I am thinking of, friends of ours make the pilgrimage every year religiously and always tell us to go...maybe this year, who knows!! Looks like soooo much fun, I can imagine it must be tiring but at the same time you must get a natural high from all of the beauty that surrounds you...seeing all of those incredible textiles alone was unreal. Thank you soooo much for sharing!!!! Hope you made out with some goodies!

Stacey said...

I can see why you're poor now. I would be too if i was there! Wow! look at all these beautiful and luxurious textiles!! I have been waiting for this post(since you first hinted about it a couple weeks ago). I'm happy you shared with us. As a textile lover, you made my day:-). XX

desde my ventana said...

That looks very interesting and the textiles that you shows are really WONDERFUL,
Have a wonderful sunday,

Cecilia

michele said...

oooh, i love that you brought us along for your brimfield adventure. Sharon's VIEW!!! OMG. glorious.

thanks for your hilarious and kind comment--i'm hangin in there and as long as i have a sense of humor i can keep going.

hope this finds you well.

michele

lvroftiques said...

You lucky darn ducky!! Oh how I wish I could be there! You must've been in 7th heaven! LOVE the treasures you found! It would make my year to have found a single one of them *winks* Vanna

The French Tangerine said...

Wow... looks like a dream! I would so love to browse through. But I'm exhausted just hearing about it!

The French Tangerine said...

PS: I'm going to be driving from Greenwich (from Eddie Ross's Spring into Style) to New Hampton and I think you might be on the way! I would love to stop in say hi!

Mona Thompson said...

Oh my, I would have loved to be with you. It looks like you brought home the very best. Those textiles are to die for. Just seeing the booths at Bri9mfield being set up gives me the itch to go back. I loved, loved visiting with you this week. I hope you are happy with the sconce. It is on it's way. Mona

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Those textiles are fabulous! You really found some excellent pieces. Very exciting. It's funny how the "hunt" is always so much fun yet it is absolutely exhausting. I'm sure you will be resting up for a few days.

Acquired Objects said...

Hi everyone…in answer to some of your questions: Yes Joy I was in that textile line at the very front taking the picture, you may see my hand in one of the images….lol. Next did I buy any textiles…GOD YES! I’m broke but a very happy person. ON to Sharon’s question: No I was only shopping at this show I don’t think I’ll ever show there since very few people go through looking for what I’m after. Lastly, wait until you see what Mona is sending me everyone…woohoo it has been a great week!

Heather Robinson said...

Oh yeah! I am a little late to the party but just wanted to say that I am so happy for you that you had such a great time and had such success! What beautiful pieces!!! Wow.

'LUSH' said...

Right where I'd want to be, in the midst of it all!

designchic said...

So many people...hope you found lots of pretties!!

Karena said...

Debra an amazing excursion, and I can see why you are exhausted. Such beautiful finds though!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Come and enter my New Giveaway from Serena & Lily! You will love it!

Maison de lin said...

Hello,

That's looks verry nice all these beautiful finds.

Greetings
Jérôme

The enchanted home said...

So Barbara...I just talked my mom into going to Brimfield with me, and one of my "visual aids" was your post above!! Yep that sold her...she got as excited about it as I suspected she would, that and a few things I looked up to send her, (links) and then of course the website itself..so just wanted to say thanks and not sure if we will go in the summer or the fall but all I know is I am holding her to it and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!

quintessence said...

So beautiful!! Did you see any of the bloggers that assembled at Brimfield? There was quite a large group!! I have always wanted to go - maybe September. Just love your shots of Marston House - what fabulous shots of their home in the Luberon - now there's a good fantasy!!

SHERRY HART said...

I go to Scott's here in Atlanta every month, but I have always wanted to make the trip to Brimfield! One day :) It is SO much bigger than Scott's from the looks of it!

Sweet Meanderings said...

What a wonderful time you had! I can't imagine all the shopping you could do. I would be exhausted I'm sure - but happy! Thanks for the tour.
Candy

Unknown said...

WOW. I wish I could have been there! What fun inspiration and unique finds. I am truly jealous. Chic Rooms

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