These dealers definitely bring the goods for the girls and for the boys. This show they had a booth selling only authentic airplane parts. And an amazing kitchenware selection. Certain high-end retailers I know always put Texas Rose on their must-shop list, so that tells you something about the selection and the prices.
Am I the last person to know about Higgins Glass? How can something so mid-cench, artisinalicious, colorwonderous and still in production have escaped me? Step back, Heath Ceramics.
My Higgins stumble-upon happened in Warrenton at 2 Hats Antiques (you know them, the big tent on the other side of the street on the corner with all that great china and glassware). They’re longtime fans of the studio’s “modern miracles with everyday glass” and their booth has a divine display of vintage pieces.
I’m not sure which I love more, the glass or the story of Michael and Francis Higgins. They could’ve been East Austin hipsters! Here’s the short version: Young design student couple sets up kilns behind the sofa in their Chicago apartment to explore the art of glass fusion and eventually builds an empire. Thanks to the talents of Louise and Jon Wimmers, the Riverside, IL studio lives on today. Hmm, my parents both grew up about 45 minutes from there – could that be why I feel such a connection?
Don’t be shocked if you see me at the studio’s annual Holiday Open House sale this December. Let me know if you want to go with.
To best appreciate my affection for Demir and all of the guys at Nomadic, you’ll need to close your eyes. And feel the sun. Feel its baking ability. Really feel it penetrate the skin on your arms. Then feel your feet. Feel your soles becoming ever more tender. Now your knapsack. Feel the little treasures you’ve been collecting dig the string straps a bit deeper into your shoulders. And your water bottle. Feel its reassuring presence. Reassuring, but no longer refreshing, because the water long ago went tepid.
Now open your eyes! Enter the peace and cool and quiet and comfort of the Nomadic Trading booth. Look how beautiful. And listen. They’re sincerely glad you’re here, inviting you to come in and share their space for a while. They’d love to sell you a rug (and they have), but hey, no pressure. Please let’s just sit and enjoy and reflect together on how lucky we all are to be surrounded by such exotic beauty out in the fields of the Texas countryside.
Every single thing in this booth out in the country belongs in an ultra-chic loft in the city. Or in your home, if you think you also belong in an ultra-chic loft in the city.
Eneby was the first place I saw a push for vintage gymnasium equipment. Two or three shows ago their booth was filled with those gorgeous wood and leather pommel horses that then showed up in every issue of House Beautiful and Elle Decor. If you’re wondering what you’ll be seeing everywhere next year, my money is on the chaise longue. (Yes, according to Wikipedia and those who know, that is the correct spelling.)
While we’re trending, I predict that the current popularity of vintage Hemlock apothecary bottles will inspire a rash of odd scientific models. Many around the show this spring are medical, but I prefer Eneby’s more tasteful botanical choices. At least I hope these are botanical.
On a final note: Victoria has her secrets. Ours may be slightly different.
The fashionable Pure Marfa booth reminded me of something I need to share: I forget to look at jewelry.
I’m not proud of the fact, it just is what it is. So remember as you look through The Crush List that you are seeing far less jewelry than actually exists in Round Top, both during the show and all year.
Fortunately, these Vintage Marfa Peso Necklaces did jump out amongst all the distractions (hey, huge stacks of knock off ghost chairs in the booth next door I’m talking about you). And the story behind them is kind of cool. They’re flattened pesos, inspired by the popular childhood pastime of flattening pennies on Marfa’s railroad tracks.
Obviously, if you want to be purely Marfa, quality leathergoods have got to get into the mix. I fell for the pair of stained glass style neo-geo vaguely Pendleton laser cut leather pillows.
This is my first ever sighting of a baton sales display. Yay! Where I come from everyone watching halftime knows the difference between the cheerleaders, the drill team, the color guard and the majorettes. I hope you do too. Beyond the field, competitive twirling is a super sport to follow. Do you know Karrissa Wimberley? If you have time, also look up her work with Fire Knives at the FSU games. Yay again!
And how about the fantastic not-found-in-nature colorway on this citrus chandelier below? Which brings up another The Crush List recipe courtesy of my young adult days living on Espanola Way in Miami Beach.
If you wake up super late on a hot Sunday, the perfect starter meal is a loaf of Cuban bread with canola spread or softened butter (your choice) and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice over ice with just a tiny splash of tequila.
The good news? You've discovered The Crush List. The not so good? I haven't been actively posting here for a few years now, which means the never terribly reliable details about my crushes are even more unreliable. Antique vendors have switched venues, shops in town have moved or passed on, donkeys may or may not be in the same front yards... In spite of the risks of massive misdirection I've left the site up in hopes that it still achieves its goal - to inspire you to visit Round Top for the Antiques Show or any time you have the time.
With that said, I leave you to explore this random list of my very favorite things about my very favorite place. I’ve tried to capture the area’s special pieces and parts. Some are big deal, some are small gestures, some are legendary and some are just tiny pip and squeak.
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