This has been a very long week for me and I'm exhausted. I've been hard at work but my work can be extremely fun especially when it means shopping! It's the start of the antique season for us on the east coast and it really gets a start with Brimfield, an antique show that takes place three times a year and has over 5000 dealers spanning 21 fields, it goes on for miles! To start the week off is an annual antique textile show in Sturbridge, MA and being an antique textile dealer of course I'm first in line. The line was just getting started here but by the time the doors opened this line was the longest I've ever seen it and I've been going to this show for well over ten years.
Wendy Lewis
Here's Wendy Lewis who owns Textile Trunk in Vermont and just began showing at the textile show but is a staple at the New England Motel antique show one of the Brimfield show fields with over 400 dealers on this field alone. Wendy who is known for her grain sacks and large variety of linen and hemp sheets also offers a wonderful selection of 19th century printed textiles. I've know Wendy forever, before her second child was born but this is the first time I've met her in person and I have to say she's just as lovely, warm and friendly in person, it was so great to finally meet her. My bad since she only lives one state over!
Beautiful French and English offerings at Wendy's booth....
Carolyn Forbes
Another favorite dealer is Carolyn Forbes of Carolyn Forbes Textiles standing in front of a display of 18th century textiles. She has a studio located right here in beautiful New Hampshire and can be found showing throughout the east coast. Carolyn features not only textiles but also a large display of clothing as well.
There were so many people at this show that taking pictures was a tad tough, this front woman was thrilled my flash went off in her face....lol.
Marston House Antiques
If you've never heard of Marston House you really should get to know it especially those of you who are true Francophiles. The Marston House is own by Paul and Sharon Marston and own a bed and breakfast in Maine they also own property in Luberon a small town located in Provence. Their 17th century home in Luberon has several apartments for rent throughout the season.
Sharon is seen here after dying linens in her 17th century home.
One of the views outside her window in Luberon, talk about picturesque!
The slipcovers were made from some of Sharon's dyed linens, her linens are amazingly deep in saturated color.
A pair of panels that were on offer at the textile show made from tapestry fragments. A bit out of my price range at $25,000 but still beautiful.
Just a few of the textiles I brought home featuring an 18th century French silk brocade, 16th century pillow that needs to be remade, a small silk velvet Fortuny purse, a very early Fortuny hanging and a 17th century tapestry hanging with a rare crest motif.
While driving home I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures out my truck window since driving was slowed to a crawl. These are images of dealers setting up for the Brimfield antique show.
You can see from the front that the tents go on for as far as the eye can see.
Just some of the offerings at Brimfield. This show really offers it all and if you can't find it then you don't need it! At the time of this posting there's only one more day left of the show at Brimfield but you can always make plans for the next shows in July and September and don't forget to bring cash!