Howdy! Grab your boots and your big dumb hat (any SNL fans out there?) and come along with us to our favorite place in Texas: the Round Top Texas Antique Fair.

The Round Top Antique Show is a twice yearly event in the tiny town of Round Top (pop 90) in the Texas hill country. It’s been going on for decades, but has become increasingly popular over the past few years due to a certain Fixer Upper star and a whole lot of social media coverage.

But here’s the thing: we’ve been going to the Round Top for years. In fact, we’ve been going since the cell service was so bad that we had to bring walkie-talkies to communicate between cars and the only available toilet was a port-a-potty (in fact, one of my friends lost a phone in one). It’s one of my favorite places on earth — rolling green hills bursting with wildflowers and antiques. If I could build my own heaven, that would be it.

I get asked all the time how to “do” Round Top. So here’s my expert guide on everything Round Top, Texas.

When Should I go to Round Top?

The Antique Show takes place every March and October (and they’ve recently added a smaller show in January.) So, you ask, should I go to the spring or fall show? Easy. Go in the spring. Here’s why:

The last week of the spring show usually coincides with the peak of the bluebonnet season. And visiting Texas during the bluebonnet season should be on your bucket list

If the wildflowers aren’t a draw, come in to the spring show for the weather. October is typically still VERY hot in Texas. And it is no fun to tramp through fields in 95+ degree heat and humidity. Trust me on that one.

The other question I get asked is when, exactly, during 3-week long show should you come. There’s pros and cons to coming at different times, but here’s what I’d recommend: if you are looking for something super specific (for instance, we were recently shopping for a 12’ w x 12’ h vintage cabinet for a client) come early. In fact, come the day before Round Top officially opens. Most vendors are set up and willing to sell — and though you won’t find many deals, you will get first dibs on everything there.

If it’s deals you’re after, come late. Vendors are much more willing to negotiate toward the end of the show when they are imagining having to load the item back up on their truck unsold. I once got a beautiful vintage French Commode dresser for a ridiculously low price this way. It’s still one of my favorite pieces.

Note: a couple of the venues (Marburger and the Big Red Barn) are only open for a few days at the very end of each show. So if you are determined to hit those venues, wait to come until the end.

I’ll end with a word of warning: avoid the final weekend if at all possible. All venues are along one, two-lane road and during that final weekend that road looks like rush hour in Manhattan. It will take you 2 hours to go 1/2 mile. You’ve been warned.

What to Wear at Round Top

Kate, our project coordinator, jokes that Round Top has become Coachella for moms. It’s a chance for a bunch of women to play dress-up in their best “Texas” attire. Imagine high-end cowboy boots, summer dresses, and lots and lots of wide brimmed hats. Some people even wear heels.

We tend to take a more practical approach — leggings and t-shirts. Maybe a cotton dress and sneakers. Usually a baseball cap to prevent sun damage (holla ladies in their 40s! Why didn’t our mothers make us wear sunscreen?!) Here’s why I recommend form over function when it comes to your Round Top attire:

No one will negotiate with you if they think you are a rich/fancy out-of-towner
It’s hot and dusty and you will walk at about 20,000 steps in a single day. Comfortable shoes and non-chafing pants are a must.

Bonus Tip: Bring a pair of rain boots if there is any chance of rain. Remember, most venues are outside in fields. Fields in rain = mud. You’re welcome.

Where to Shop at the Round Top Antique Show

Imagine a long two-lane country road, with fields on either side. The fields are filled with clusters of tents, temporary buildings and permanant structures. There are dressers and vintage gas station signs and baby doll heads just sitting in the grass amidst the Bluebonnets. Welcome to Round Top!

Each little cluster of buildings/tents is considered a venue. Here’s a list of Lark’s must-stop Round Top venues

Stop 1: Blue Hill

Blue Hill is always one of my must-see stops. They have everything from true anitques to reproductions to lighting to rugs and more. This venue grows larger each year, but is main focus remains home furniture and decor.

A few favorite vendors here are Maps & Arts (tons of unframed art originals, maps, botanical prints, etc.) Lolo’s French Antiques (beautifully restored antiques), and James Busby (who does the most incredible bluebonnet paintings!)

The beautiful lines of a vintage dresser at Lolo’s

Stop 2: The Compound

There are two reasons we always go to the Compound: Southern Classic Jewelry and Eneby Home. Eneby is, without question, the best midcentury dealer at Round Top. They sell the REAL stuff - famous names attached. You won’t find any deals in their stall, but you’ll find tons of inspiration.

Southern Classicis a fantastic vintage jewelry vendor. On our annual girls trip, someone nearly always makes a purchase here. They have a great eye and carry items in all price points (we are talking $200 to $200,000). Always, always negotiate with them. Their prices are never firm.

Art deco sapphire ring of my dreams from Southern Classic Jewelrey

Stop 3: Les Halles

This is a new stop at Round Top and a fun addition. Be warned, it’s fancy schmancy (in terms of vendors and prices.) But there is one absolute must-see here: Amadi Carpets.

Amadi is my favorite rug dealer of all-time. They hand make their rugs in Afganistan and their designs are incredibly unique. In fact, their website is password protected to protect their unique designs. They only sell to the trade — except at Round Top. And to top it all off, they are absolutely lovely human beings. So get your butt over to Les Halles and introduce yourself. If you are ever going to drop a significant chunk of change on a hand-woven wool rug, this is the place to do it.

Stop 4: Excess & Excess II

The original Excess was so popular, it expanded across street — and I’m not complaining. This is the less “fancy” part of Round Top and a great place to wander with a cold drink and some friends (hit up the bar on the north end for that cold drink.)

My favorite Excess vendor is right by the bar at the North end — look for the old airplane. He always has great art and great case good pieces. Here are a few things we’ve seen/purchased from him over the years:

Stop 5: Warrington, aka “the Fields”

If you want to find good deals in Round Top, the fields at Warrington are your best bet. This is true junkin’ it. You’ll find treasures… and this:

Because everyone needs a baby face mold…

But there are some truly great finds too. There are great old sign letters, tons of small odds and ends, and an occasionally a great piece of furniture. Oh! and while vintage clothes are not my jam (I am purely furniture focused at Round Top), hit up “Dead People’s Stuff.” My friends have often walked away with great vintage pieces at a great price from his shop.

Stop 6: Marburger

If Round Top was Mean Girls, Marburger would be Regina George. It’s kind of a massive deal. And it’s become more massive every year since I’ve been. Last year, there was an influencer with a full camera crew (and, yes, she had heels on.)

You will find amazing stuff at Marburger. Unique, one-of-a-kind vintage and repurposed items are available in every tent. Great lighting. Great art. Great everything. Except great deals. The focus is on the selection, not the savings. It’s the opposite of the fields — highly curated and staged.

I could include 100+ images of amazing things I’ve seen/bought at Marburger over the years, but here’s just a few to give you an idea of the selection:

Honorable Mentions:

The Arbors: if you want to check out boutique clothing lines, jewelry, and Mexican dresses, this is the place for you. There are a couple of great art vendors in here as well — look for the pressed botanicals.

The Big Red Barn: Pricey. The vintage furniture in the main venue tends to be smaller scale. However, there are a couple of truly fantastic jewelry vendors in here. Also - it’s air conditioned. Did you hear that? AIR CONDITIONED!

Market Hill: Open late! Most vendors shut down around 4:30/5 pm, but this venue open until 10 pm or so. It’s vendors are full-time in Round Top and on the pricier end of things, but there is always great stuff! We particularly like Schwung Home.

Preservation: Great vintage doors run by a lovely family. You can sneak into Cisco Brother’s next door for great (but not vintage) upholstery.

All other venues: You never know what you’ll find. Pretty much all venues are worth a stop if you have the time. The joy is in the hunting!