Creating a Home with Antiques….

judy hill marburger fair

In the beginning the stands at Marburger are bare empty. The antique dealers come from all over the Untied States, they come with years of experience, a love for antiques, a crazy passion, loaded trucks and antiques they have paid dearly for by their TIME to find them, the energy it takes to restore them, by the miles they have spent driving around looking for them, the money it costs to pay for them…

White ironstone Marburger

…and the creative pulse it takes to put it altogether: To unpack, set up, arrange and rearrange and then to start all over again.

It helps to have a partner, Tot has a good one.

urns and zinc boxes for planters

 

You gotta love antiques to be in the business… it is that simple… to see beauty in whatever comes your way, to find a way to display objects as art.

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After your stand is in place, you spend hours hanging-out while clients come by, pick around, touch everything, hem and haw and hopefully buy.
In the meantime it is good to have something to do to pass the time… this antique dealer plays the banjo, most read, or talk to others…

I do not play the banjo, but I love to talk shop.

doorknob candle holders

Shelley, comes up with many clever ideas on how to use old things.

Door Knob candle stick holders on a vanity tray. Reinventing, seeing something in a new way, inspiration often blooms when antiquing.

old photos

antiques at Marburger

How to use antiques

Neutral colors seem to be the big thing at the antique show, that and the word TEXTURE, using different elements and layer them together.

bedspring as art

Bed-spring as wall art.

ironstone antiques

White iron stone seen at Marburger.

child's bathtub 

brushes 


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pharmacy jar vase

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Another trend is to cover French antique armchairs in rough linen.

Found Interiors 

Found, for the Home… had a booth at Marburger, I found their name the most fitting.

They had a classy way of mixing rough with elegance.

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Basket weave, a cornucopia display.

Willow Nest design

Linda at Willow Nest's style is pure eye candy.

pleated skirt 

A pleated underskirt. I wish I had bought this… I have not bought anything, but I have soaked up a ton. There are so many wonderful antiques and vintage elements, I could have bought everything… that is why I bought nothing. Plus my suitcase cannot carry the entire Marburger fair. Darn it.

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Ludmil, (Willow Nest with Linda) sets up.

In the beginning it is hard work.

bed linens 

JHill Designs 

 
Judy Hill's bed linen 

Judy Hill's bed linens a new design with an old feel.

A home along the road to Round top 

In the beginning …. A home along the roadside to Round Top.

Home in the end is where the heart is, and antiques add a touch of atmosphere.

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Note: I am off to Austin on a overnight trip.



Comments

35 responses to “Creating a Home with Antiques….”

  1. Julie Ann Evins

    That was so enjoyable Corey, I should say a feast for the eyes but the photos are so wonderful I feel as if I can touch, smell & taste too. Many fantastic ideas here, I am sure you will depart Marburger with your creative juices flowing. The sets were divine, what talent. Is not “the whole” so much greater than the “sum of its parts” ?
    Off to Austin now, and a speech to make. How exciting. Travel tip 1 … pack one black go anywhere, non-crease black dress…. Luv Jx

  2. What a great idea to use the bed springs as wall art, love it!
    Thank you for all the eye candy Corey!
    xoxo Carola

  3. All the things displayed are so beautiful, I don’t know how you can resist at not buying something!

  4. Marie-Noëlle

    My map of the USA is out so that I can follow you day by day ….
    I’ve just spotted Austin… I’m there waiting for you …

  5. beautiful images, great ideas, wonderful thoughts. Your usual great stuff Corey.
    Karon

  6. Love and hugs

  7. That was amazing! I’m already planning a trip to Texas next year! Thanks you for bringing us along with you…..your photos really give us a sense of being there!
    Take care! Laura

  8. Katy in Fort Worth, Texas

    Ooh, I love Austin! Wish you had time to experience the whole place. That whole town is a photo-op waiting to happen.

  9. When I saw the bed springs, the first person that sprung to mind (haha, get it?) was your mom. I can see her using that as a trellis for a flowering vine in her garden.
    I hope she’s doing well.
    Btw, I loved the door knob candle stick holders. My problem is that I love antiques, but don’t know how to display them in my house 🙁

  10. Drooling over the Ironstone, I really like that stuff.
    I think your mom would love the bed springs/wall art idea. Looks like her. Maybe you could sneak her a small Ironstone piece for her birthday???!!
    Loving your photos. Enjoy 🙂

  11. Everything is beautiful, but my favorite is the display of old brushes. HAve you sold your linens?

  12. Now you’re off to give a talk? Corey, where does all that energy come from. Thank you.

  13. Oh Corey, your photography and words are a wonderful tribute to those who pour their heart and soul into their love of the antiques business…just beautiful.
    Mari

  14. Kristin Wight

    You will love Austin! I lived there for 5 years! Make sure you go to 6th street to listen to some music. There are so many places to eat that are good… Enjoy!

  15. Love Shelley’s door-knob candlesticks! So creative!

  16. Such great photos and story Corey. It was like going shopping with you. Have fun in Austin.

  17. Michelle M in KY

    Corey…
    I am so jealous! (In a good way) But…how can you go to Marburger and not buy anything? I do NOT know if I could have the same self control.
    You seem to be having a blast. I think you should make this an annual event.
    Love reading all about it!
    Have a safe trip!
    Hey, did that crystal chandy with the flowers sell? I had one like it that was round like a ball and sold it and I’ve been kicking myself ever since!

  18. Bliss–all that ironstone–and that stunning fawn leather chair. Yum–thanks! The shopkeepers must delight in your process.

  19. No doubt about it. This is my favorite Marburger post this week. Loved the bathtub picture. I immediately thought “bathtub gin”. LOL

  20. Loretta Alexandre

    Hi Cory……….I’m Loretta Alexandre from Ferndale and know your Leonado family quite well. In fact I talked to your Aunt Eva May this morning! I love your blog and I love antiques! It was especially exciting to read that you met Linda and Ludmil! I’ve been to their shop when they were on the west coast. We share a mutual friend, Debbie Adorni. It is so fun to follow you! Enjoy! Enjoy!
    Fondly, Loretta

  21. I’m following you , step by step ! Now to Austin , you are going to talk about south of France , I can hear you Madame Corey

  22. Just beautiful. Reminds of why I love old things so much, and big open air flea markets like this.
    xo xo

  23. That bathtub was soooo cute-what a fun idea. Have a great trip to Austin, can’t wait to here about it. And, I loved the moss placemats with birdie nest’s. I can’t wait to do that!

  24. that skirt…wow.
    is it still there? i’d love to add that to a room in my home.
    so, so enjoying your photographs and commentary. all wonderful.

  25. I am SO sad I missed you today! I met Linda, though, and she was very kind (and a beautiful booth, to boot!) Hope you had a good time in Austin. Maybe you’ll come back another time???!!!

  26. Wonderful photography and your words give us the atmosphere so that we can feel as though we were there with you.
    As Erin noted … The bathtub! So many ideas come to mind – though my wife frowned (she’s still beautiful, even when she frowns at me) at me when I suggested that we stick it out on the patio for when her relatives visit.

  27. Beautiful fair! Beautiful photos! I am at a festival this weekend too, but it is an arts festival in Vermont. Not as big as your either, but very picturesque! Too bad you can’t come here and take some photos, we sure could use them!

  28. For all the miles I covered there, how did I miss that bathtub??!!

  29. Test post

    testing 1 2 3
    testing 1 2 3

  30. Be still my heart! Oh, how I wish I could have been there.

  31. fabulously delicious images, thank you

  32. All that can be said is….wow! What a feast for the senses..
    Thank you for sharing such beautiful images.

  33. Your photos are simply enchanting! Thank you for sharing them in this fantastic post!
    Layla 🙂

  34. Corey, it was so wonderful to meet you in person. Who knew when I purchased those bits and bobs from you years ago that we would cross paths. Your pictures are incredible and your writing style is enchanting. Thanks for including my booth in your post. Safe travels…
    Shelley
    Sweet Pea

  35. Hi Corey,
    Thanks for the mention for Found for the home.
    Please come see us if you are ever in Houston.
    Ruth

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