This wonderfully talented couple sets up a fabulous display at Round Top every single show. They’re also well loved by the Texas decoristas who visit their full time store down in Beaumont. This Spring Show they’ve moved to their forever Round Top home at the Rendezvous Field, which happens to be directly across the highway from the about-to-be-opened new event and everything else spot, The Compound. Since that’s right next to Marburger, Urban Habitat is now completely in with the in crowd.
The new space is in a little house that very well might be an exact replica of Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo. We made the pilgrimage to Tupelo long ago and of course what I remember most is the gift shop. There was a box full of envelopes printed with the phrase “A piece of Elvis’ costume for you!” and inside each one was a little scrap of polyester double knit fabric in some crazy print, cut with pinking shears. We bought every single envelope and for years they were our go to housewarming/birthday/stockings stuffer gifts.
It’s taken me this long to put Urban Habitat on List because I just haven’t had the photos to do them justice. But this new space is a charmer and tons of gorgeous shots practically jumped into my camera. Have fun with them.
A prime little piece of Warrenton real estate, right across 237 from the Tin Star/Bar W footbridges was recently rebranded The Chicken Ranch and it’s been getting shoppers to cross the road ever since.
If somehow you’ve managed to miss both the film and the Broadway version of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and you don’t know the story of the La Grange Chicken Ranch, you’d best click the Texas State Historical Association page here. While those folks read, how ’bout the rest of us take a moment of appreciation for the stars of those cheesy, saucy musical works of art: Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds on screen, and beloved Match Game panelist Fannie Flagg on stage?
The front of the Chicken Ranch field is full of high quality vendor tents. But if you visit, be sure to make your way to the little farmhouse at the back of the lot. It’s an old school spot with good prices, nice folks, a pair of cute dealer dogs and a vaguely sinful collection of collectibles.
They’ve gathered the saints in the front parlor to greet you, but as you work your way through the house to the back bedrooms, you can’t help but appreciate their subtle nod to the naughty. Or I at least that’s how I saw things. Maybe if you’d taken the photos they’d be wholesome as heck.
Which brings me to the confession that my all time favorite book is Truman Capote’s Other Voices, Other Rooms. This little house is no decaying Southern Gothic mansion of course, and I saw no signs of Missouri Fever in the kitchen, but hey, when you love something you find yourself seeing it all kinds of places. Um, don’t you?
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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