Brimfield Antique Market May2023
It had been a while since I made the time to go to Brimfield, MA for the great Brimfield Antique Market. It’s more of a combination of antique market and flea market, but either way it’s huge and overwhelming and totally worth the trip. It’s such an adventure that you must go into with an open mind. I go hoping to find some interesting lamps, maybe some cool little side tables, a piece of art worth salvaging or a mirror with a unique frame. The big find would be an exciting piece of upholstery worth recovering because the frame is so unique and in great shape. Or, I’d be happy to uncover some special cabinet with details you don’t find in contemporary furniture. Beyond furniture, there is so much stuff to wade through and if you stop too long to ponder every little thing, you’ll never make it through the whole show. There are several fields jam packed with booths that are filled with an unknown variety of the collectibles, non-collectibles, one person’s trash and another’s treasure. Since I don’t go to every show, I never learn which field specializes in what, and it doesn’t really seem to matter. Basically, it’s one street through Brimfield, flanked by fields which are turned filled with tents and booths, row after row, and you just have to meander from one to another. I drive in, pay for parking somewhere in the thick of things, and just start walking. Be prepared for the long haul… wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Bring a backpack so you are hands free, cash (small bills can be handy), bags for your finds and some people bring their own wagons or granny carts. You can buy food and drinks, but you might want to bring your own water and healthy snacks (just sayin’.)
This curvy sofa was my favorite furniture find of the day. Unfortunately I don’t have a project that needs it and I can’t make a habit of bringing home every sofa that needs a little love. It would look great paired with a coffee table, floor lamp, drinks table and a few pillows. Oh, and a couple of swivel chairs sitting opposite all on a large area rug to ground the scene. It just needs to be reupholstered in a fabulous fabric!
Framed prints, add aged decor
This hunt print is the perfect example of decor that can add character to a space. When everything is new and perfect, it feels a little sterile. I like to mix in items that have some patina. A print like this is perfect. I would use this “as is.” Sometimes you can find a cool frame in good condition, so use the frame to showcase a piece of art that means something to you. Or maybe you find a piece of art that you love but the frame is less than ideal… so get it reframed and make it new again!
A collection of western decor
I don’t have a project for this collection either, but whoa, what a find if I did need it! Maybe it’s like the perfect dress, you find it when you don’t need it, but get it anyway because someday you’ll have an event for that dress. Well, maybe not, this requires a lot more storage than a dress and I’m not willing to go down that road. Back to Brimfield, this is the perfect example of the unexpected things you can find there.
So many things at Brimfield Antiques Market / Flea Market, and this is just a few snapshots! They hold this market three times a year, spring, summer and fall. Each visit is a new adventure, you never know what you are going to find. If I’m lucky, I find things to use in an interior design project. Or, just as lucky, I see things that offer inspiration. Every time I spot something I’ve never seen before and the dealer is happy to explain what it is and how it was used. It’s always educational.