Have you ever gotten in the car and driven, and driven and driven and driven some more, knowing that when you finally arrive, you will be completely captivated by the sheer beauty that awaits?
We experienced just that the very last weekend of March. It was the promise of a new month, a new season. We left the comfort of our studio sanctuary in North Texas and headed south. Five hours south to be exact. When we arrived at our destination, it was the magestic Round Top/Marburger Farms Antique Show in Central Texas. It is truly the place that dreams are made of. An artist's wonderland and a collector's paradise. The first glimpse of what will greet you is at the summit of what we have lovingly coined the "Stairway to Heaven".
Don't you agree? There is something so thrilling about ascending those old wooden steps, knowing that what lies just beyond them is sheer beauty under a multitude of erected tents and relocated buildings. Hooked on the rafters of old barns are the most spectacular chandeliers. The old shiplap framing is concealed by 19th Century French apothecary signs. The worn plank floors are covered in the most exquisite Aubusson rugs. It is almost too much for the mind's eye to process. You must stop and gaze. You must give each space the time it commands to soak it all in.
Always a favorite stop along the way. A girl can never have too many crystal chandeliers.
The end.
The best part, if one could say there was a BEST part, are the magnificant displays. The vendors come from near and far, across countries and oceans, and put their heart and souls into wowing the audience with their spectacular visions. Within the tents you will find entire French apartments that have been disassembled and shipped around the world, only to be reconstructed in the fields and farms of Central Texas on sawdust floors. There are masses of Florentine funiture that you can only imagine gracing the former homes of the poshest Italian families.
One of the buildings relocated to this site at Marburger Farms. We like to think that it reverts to a dance hall once the dealers and shoppers leave for the season.
And keeping true to our inner artists and craftswomen, we stopped and stared and lost ourselves in sheer bliss at the trims, oh goodness, the trims. The hand dyed, the vinatge, the metallic, the fabulous trims. We took lots of notes and placed some serious orders here. Yay!
Love.
Velvety, vintagey ribbon. Be still my heart.
There were volumes and volumes of 18th century books.
These creamy, dreamy covers were a revelation.
A bedroom vignette that we could move right in to. Just a toothbrush and a pair of boots are necessary.
Miles upon miles of fields and farms and dance halls filled to the brim with all the wonder and joy that you dream of.
And this vista represents the one area that we simply ran out of time trying to get to. But the good news is that there is always next time, and that is a huge consolation.
Three days after we arrived it was time to say goodbye until the Fall. We will miss you ~ all of you sweet, kind, gracious people of these small Texas towns. You have renewed our spirits and inspired us in so many ways, and we are grateful for our time together.
Thanks for the memories.
xoxo The Gilded Girls
**All of the photos above were taken by the wondrously talented Martha Schuster of iseethemoonphotgraphy.com. Thanks, Martha... it would not have been the same without you!!
