brimfield round-up

"Brimfield is where the standards are set for what's cool in America" -- this is a quote I heard from a dealer, and with this being the largest antique show in the country, I'd have to say he's pretty right-on.

This past Thursday morning, we woke up super early and drove two hours away to the site of 5,000 dealers for a thrice yearly antique show in Brimfield, Mass for a two day shopping trip. When we arrived, it had been raining since the show opened on Tuesday and there were giant puddles everywhere. Like I said in my last post, Brimfield is like going to war; you are tired, you get dirty, your body aches and you push through being hungry... for what? FOR THE TREASURES! For the hunt and for the pure excitement of being surrounded by thousands of others who not only feel the same way you do, but for many, it's their livelihood and their way of life.

This sort of thing is in my blood. My Mom would bring me to Brimfield when all I could afford was jewelry from the $1.00 box with my allowance. Even earlier when we were living in California, she would fly out east to attend the show and bring me back little presents. As a little kid, attending Brimfield was something I considered one of the perks of growing up.

Fast forward twenty years later, and Mother and Daughter are hitting the fields together and doing what we do so well; haggling, shopping and schlepping. 

This past Brimfield was a bit different then previous shows for me. Instead of shopping for myself, for friends or for props, I was shopping to resell in my shop. For every item, I had to think "how much could I sell this for?" It was a mind game!

I love meeting other store owners, artists and designers who thrive on this sort of thing. Poeple fly in from all over the world to attend this show and there's never a lack of interesting people or excitement. Every once in a while you'll pass by a film crew shooting or someone giving an interview.

The whispers of J.Crew buyers running in and slapping their "J.Crew SOLD" stickers on everything (if you've been to Brimfield, you know exactly what I'm talking about!) is always the biggest gossip of the week.

And then I ran into fellow stylist Raina Kattelson... two stylists, a bunch of cash and antiques could be a very deadly combination! 

So what's cool in America this year? Industrial is here in full force, anything metal that looks like it came from a school, a lab or a hospital is hot hot hot right now. Vintage camping paraphernalia is a trend a came across, and mid-century and all things french seem to be a lasting love.

Brimfield is a party for people who like stuff and two days there isn't enough time to really get-jiggy-with-it... although I did manage to fill up the truck (no surprise there!). I came away with tons of fabulous new merchandise and have been filling the shop with treasures since I've been back.

For anyone interested, there's T-minus 55 days until the next Brimfield!