Designers Share Their Secrets for Shopping the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas
For the uninitiated, the Round Top Antiques Fair can be a dizzying journey through 20 miles of rural Texas fields beside a two-lane country road, fueled by the promise of hidden treasure around every bend. Located between Austin and Houston, Round Top’s famous flea market began in 1968 and has exploded in popularity in recent years, attracting antique dealers, celebrities, and VIP designers from around the globe for its biannual fall and spring events.
“There’s nothing like it,” says Houston interior designer Julie Dodson, recalling the moment the bell rings at Marburger Farm Antique Show to open the show. “It starts the night before—you start to get kind of anxious and nervous because you know what you want to get. People line up just to get in the gate in their cars.”
But no matter how big or intimidating Round Top may seem, it’s infused with the Texan spirit of enjoying yourself. A glass of wine and some good music are usually just a few steps away—and with a little luck, your next favorite piece. Here are some insider tips for making the most of your next visit to Round Top.
Get a lay of the land.
Let’s start with some basics: Unlike other antiques festivals around the country, the Round Top Antiques Fair is a collection of decentralized venues mainly accessible by car, many of them under tents quite literally out in fields (tip: Leave your sandals at home and wear close-toed shoes or boots, plus layered clothing for changing weather). Check venue listings for opening and closing dates, as these will vary.
Make reservations early.
Despite the wild popularity of its antique festivals, Round Top is very much a small, rural Texas town with limited options for overnight accommodations. AirBnbs, as well as some of the avant garde options such as FlopHouze Shipping Container Hotel, book up quickly in advance of the fall and spring shows.
Time your visit right.
Though many designers argue that the best finds can be had arriving opening day for each venue, on the flip side, shoppers can score deals in the days prior to each show’s close, when venders are anxious to offload remaining items, says Catelyn Silapachai, an Austin antique dealer who formerly offered private Round Top tours.
Come prepared.
Bring a list of the items you’re looking for, being as specific as possible to help maintain focus. Bring a tape measure, measurements from home, and fabric swatches. Or just come prepared to be inspired. “It’s so cool to walk into a dealer’s booth and see an 18th century beautiful antique piece with a mid-century modern lamp on top of it,” says Ashley Ferguson, co-owner of Marburger, one of the largest and oldest of the Round Top venues. “I think you can be so inspired by walking in a booth and seeing something that you already have that you can use in a new way,”
Negotiate thoughtfully.
Know that generally items are sold at standard retail prices at Round Top, and you’re not likely to find huge bargains. That said, some vendors expect customers to negotiate on price; others, like high-end furniture designers, may scoff at the idea. Silapachai suggests a low-key approach to haggling—her rule of thumb is to offer a price about 20 percent lower than the price tag states (for example, “Could you do $800?” on a $1,000 item). If you are purchasing multiple items, or paying in cash, your odds of a discount may improve. “Most vendors are expecting to be asked,” she says. “The vibe is very laid back; it’s not aggressive at all.”
Take COVID precautions.
Round Top was one of the first U.S. antique shows to reopen during COVID, and shoppers have enjoyed natural social distancing by virtue of the mostly outdoor venues, says Ferguson. Though masks are not mandated by state law in Texas, many shoppers choose to mask up, and vaccinations are helping to slow the spread of the virus so shoppers and dealers feel more comfortable.
Find the good stuff.
Finding the best piece is all a matter of what inspires you. Here are a few vendors that frequently top the list of fairgoers’ favorites: Marburger Farm is the most highly visited venue and offers beautifully curated stalls with trendy pieces. Check out Amelia Tarbet at Market Hill for eclectic furniture pieces. For Morrocan rugs, head to Heja Home at the Arbors. The vendors throughout Excess Field are great for cool architectural salvage pieces like doors and mirrors. Cole’s is a non-flashy warehouse for silver, turquoise jewelry, and jadeite dishes. Get over to The Compound for mid-century inspiration, and Blue Hills for French antiques and art prints.
Plan for special delivery.
If you’ve got a vehicle large enough for your items, you can take them home with you right away (some serious shoppers rent moving vans just for this purpose). Otherwise, you can pay a shipping service to freight your finds back home (there are usually a couple booths on site at show venues). Depending on the size of your items and how far away you live, you may have to wait a couple of weeks before your treasures find their way home.
Stack your itinerary.
Here are a few more items to add to your Round Top itinerary: Snag a ticket for a Designer Dream Spree discussion, led by Dodson with previous celeb panelists such as Carson Kressley. Enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese board from Prost Wine Bar and Patioin downtown Round Top, or have a picnic lunch at Festival Hill, an opera house just a short turn from the hustle and bustle of the antiquing crowds. Townsend Provisions downtown is a great year-round stop for vintage cowboy boots—an ideal souvenir to remember your time in Texas.
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