Ah, the Brimfield Antiques Fair. My little piece of heaven on earth. Bruce and I went this week. We met my dear friend, Jill, there. She and I have an embarrassing numbers of Brims under our belt, and this was another great day. We slogged through the fields, dickering with the dealers and pulling our wagons filled with treasures. The show has changed a bit since the first time I attended with my mom, in the seventies, when I was eleven. And since Jill and I started going together in the mid 1990s. But much of the show has remained the same. So today I’m sharing some thoughts on this show of shows, and what was trending at the Brimfield Antiques Fair.
Brown Wood Furniture Was Trending at The Brimfield Antiques Fair
I’ve blogged on this trend very recently. And I’m so pleased to report on it. In previous years, it has been all about painted furniture. But now the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction. Brown wood furniture was all over the Brimfield Antiques Fair. And shoppers were gobbling it up. Grandmacore is having its moment and this goes right along with it, so no surprise here, I guess. If you are looking to jump on board, check out your local thrift or consignment shop, like Consignments Ltd., where brown wood furniture is plentiful, and reasonably priced. For more reading on the topic, check out my previous blog: Brown Wood Furniture: Hot Interior Design Trend.
Another Thing Trending at The Brimfield Antiques Fair: Vintage Signs and Other Advertising Items
Coastal Farmhouse is a big trend in interior design, even smack dab in the middle of the country, with no coastline in sight. One of the pillars of this look is the vintage sign. It gives personality and definition to the look. Maybe it’s an old market number that advertises eggs. Great for a coastal farmhouse kitchen. Or perhaps a years old Blanton sign, perfect for your bourbon room. And it wasn’t just signs, thank God, because every kitschy one I saw was already marked SOLD. What was trending at Brimfield were all types of advertising items: tin cans, boxes, coolers, sales pieces, you name it. And shoppers were scooping these up to use as decor in their homes.
Vintage Patio Furniture Was Everywhere
I confess, I have an unhealthy obsession with wrought iron patio furniture. I buy it every chance I get and I own way too much of it. At Brimfield this week, I was among my people. Every field had numerous examples for sale. And they were selling fast. Perhaps it’s a nod to nostalgia, but I think it’s even more a realization that this great-looking furniture stands the test of time. It hasn’t been around, outdoors, most often, for all these years for nothing. People get it. You can buy it once and have it a lifetime. And an every-few-years coat of spray paint means it can take a licking’ and keep on tickin’.
The next show is in July, July 14-19 to be exact. Hope I see you there. And if you need any tips before you go, check out Outdoor Antique Show Best Practices.
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