Hello all! I am back from 2 long hot days in the fields of Round Top. For those of you new to the blog (welcome!) Round Top is a big, fat flea market that takes place about an hour outside of Austin twice a year. It's hot as hell and, despite the fact that I always make it a 2 day affair, I've never seen the whole thing. I always return with a car full of war prizes obtained at bargain basement prices, but don't be fooled: Round Top is not the Shangri La of mid century modern finds one might hope. First, there's the heat. As in, drink 4 large ice tea slushies, a bottle of water, and a diet coke and don't visit the porta potty once. Second, there's miles and miles of "antiques," shabby chic decor, and waayy too many country crafts. But, with Jen and Freda by my side on Friday and Erin co-piloting on Saturday, I managed to make some awesome scores. First, a few pics of goodies I saw but declined:
Erin spent the better part of Saturday trying to convince me to get these for my bedroom. 6 months ago I would have jumped at the chance for this $130 pair, but I have since decided that I want table lamps so I had to go with my gut. I, of course, appreciate having a buddy that has my home's best interest at heart, especially when she has such a good eye. Who could ask for more?
I know it's kinda hard to tell what's happening here, but a few obsessed readers will recognize this welded chain table base. I've posted this room twice and we swoon over the custom table every time. While this base is obviously for a smaller, round table, it's just as delightful and if it hadn't been $650 it would be in my house right now.
Erin and I spotted this glorious industrial floor lamp in a booth that was well out of our budget. Rather than haggling over this out-of-reach gem, I snapped a picture and gave it a crappy photoshop treatment. Well, if I hadn't, you wouldn't be able to distinguish it from the background. It was pretty stunning in person.
Equally amazing and expensive were these crystal(??) lights. At $1950 Erin and I had to wonder if the vendors had heard about this pesky little recession we're in.
(BTW, i forgot my camera on Day 1, so you're only getting pics from the trip I took with Erin)
Normally the homemade crap at Round Top makes me want to stab my eyes out, but this giant planter tugged at my heart strings. I can't remember how much it cost, but it was too rich for my blood so we get pictures instead.
OMG Ribs & Brisket!!! There's lots and lots and lots of BBQ at Round Top so choosing a vendor can be hard, having a hilarious sign helps to tip the scales. The ribs were amazing, fyi.
What are these assholes thinking?
$700 for a 4 foot golf ball and tee? Almost worth it.
OK, now for the items that I did bring home:
Pair of lucite and gold table lamps with gold shades: $50. As in, $50 for the PAIR. Here's how they look now:
What do you think? I love them in person much more than the in the photo, but should I have gone with the hanging lights?
1 cantilevered floor lamp for my office $10. Yes, $10.
Giant rattan hanging lamp to be cleaned and repainted white and hung in my office to replace the ceiling fan: $20. Let me stress that this thing is HUGE. $20 was a steal.
And finally, la piece de resistance:
Female Nude, Creepy Rock Man looks on, giant original painting signed & dated 1960, $40. That frame is getting painted black and it will be hung in my dining room. Appetizing, isn't it?
Side note: the vendor actually said "it will be a mighty fine painting if you just paint over that guy on the rock, I don't know what idiot put him there." Are you kidding?! That guy rulz. He stays.
I think Erin is bringing part 2 of the round up tomorrow, so tune in. But then again, maybe she's not, in which case you'll have to wait until April for more. But Erin will be here tomorrow none the less so, stop on by now, ya hear?