Stephanie Wheeler

Somewhere between impressionism and abstraction, Stephanie Wheeler’s paintings shine through to reflect the masters who came before her (Manet, Degas and Bonnard) and emanate a style that’s uniquely her own. 
    “Painting is such a pure form of creativity… and to work with color is what I really love doing. My work has become more abstract, more about manipulating the paint and surface, but it’s always about the color… I can push color, but it’s not jarring to the eye. There’s a softness to it,” she says. 
Preparing for her 11th year at Round Top, Stephanie was the first visual artist to appear at the Antiques Fair, attending a decade ago on the insistence of a friend. Stephanie says it was “unconventional” back then for a painter to show artwork at an antiques show. 
    “At the time, you could find everything under the sun there except for art.” 
Now her works are available exclusively at Market Hill. 
A professional painter since 2002, Stephanie never imagined a full-time career in it. She studied art in college, but it wasn’t her major. Her father, also a talented painter, discouraged her from earning an art degree but did encourage her to study with greats. 
She immersed herself in the teachings of Russian figure painter, Marc Chatov. Much of her work today has been influenced by Chatov. She has also studied with some of the best contemporary artists in the country: Andy Braitman, Linda Christensen, Ted Goerschner, Jenny Nelson, all of whom, she says, have played key roles in her exploration of the landscape, figure and abstract space. Stephanie’s work has been displayed throughout the U.S., Canada, British Virgin Islands and Europe, but she still finds something special about Round Top. 
“Round Top is like no other show. This tiny town brings people in from all over. Its growth and longevity over the years is a testament to the diverse vendors. The excitement each season is contagious.” 
“Market Hill has been a great new location for me. I never dreamed that a venue like this could exist in Round Top, but Paul Michael did! And thank goodness for that! My customers enjoy all of the creature comforts our venue has to offer.” 
As for what inspires her year after year, Stephanie says, “Finding inspiration is an easy one for me. Sometimes I wonder if there will be enough time to paint everything I want to paint! Nature and a beautiful walk can really jazz me up, which means travel is a big part of my process. Visiting new countries, taking in the scenery, absorbing the culture has a huge impact on what I paint and the color palettes I explore. These visits can spark a new direction along with a desire to experiment with new materials and subject matter.” 
For the upcoming show, she shares her inspiration for several new pieces. 
“I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa this past fall. During the three-week trip, I traveled all around this beautiful country from Cape Town to Blyde River Canyon and then several days on safari in Krueger National Park – a complete bucket list experience! The awe-inspiring landscape, natural beauty and wildlife made a definite impact on my creative mind,” she says. 
    “Inspired by my visit to the Zeitz Museum in Cape Town, I have explored a new direction of abstract mixed media work using unusual materials and techniques. A massive departure from my more traditional pieces while still maintaining my selective use of color, these new pieces have an organic quality that I hope the viewer will find intriguing.”
    For customers looking for her more recognizable pieces, she is bringing her Colorado Aspens. 

To view more of Stephanie’s work, visit Stephaniewheelergallery.com. 

Scoville Brown Cooperative

From the 1800s until the 1940s, the Scoville Brown Warehouse in Wellsville, New York, hummed with the sounds of a bustling grocery wholesaler. Though the wares have changed, the sounds of a busy building remain. Also evident is the “Hearts Delight” slogan, still visible on the north side of the brick interior. This is the home of Scoville Brown Cooperative where owner and craftsman Jim Braunscheide conducts his business of taking the old and turning it into something new.  
    Speaking with him on a salvage job site in February, it’s cold, and he has to step inside his warm shop (about a half-mile away) to talk. This particular project is an 1880 house with a demolition contract. 
“It would be laying on the ground in three hours,” Jim says. “This would all be thrown away if I didn’t get my hands on it. That’s what I’m most inspired by – saving history.” 
    Jim has been working on the job for a month, salvaging as much as he can. He sends over a photograph of an ornate architectural detail, a wood accent with a beautiful floral motif hand-carved into it. Jim intentionally left the cobwebs and dust intact to demonstrate what excites him most about it.  
“Just to walk in, to get your hands on something original, something that untouched, that’s what inspires me.”  
He sends another photo of his kitchen at home (another half-mile from his shop); natural light spills onto every surface, spotlighting his handiwork. Everything in the kitchen is reclaimed and reused – except for the appliances. All of the woodwork, cabinetry and lighting are repurposed.  
“Like anyone in their craft, my work has evolved over time. I began to see new, repurposed objects in the items I collected or salvaged. I combined what I learned as a young man building with what I learned through the antiques business and started designing and building furniture, lighting and accessories.”
What Jim brings to Market Hill is a variety of antiques and architectural finds. 
“These works are my artistic expression and interpretation of where history, creativity and functionality meet,” he says.  
“Market Hill is amazing. As a contractor, I can say, structurally, it’s impressive, and as a vendor, it simplifies all of the little things that make it difficult to sell on your own. From the building to the breezeway to the air-conditioning – everything.”
Come find Scoville Brown Cooperative at Market Hill. Meet Jim, and find something with an interesting story that’s been given a new chapter. 

For more information, visit, scovillebrown.com.

Sacred Heart Antiques

For Jessica Fairbrother of Sacred Heart Antiques, each piece is personal. Each one has meaning. 
When asked about her creative process, she says, “I spend about three months each year in France, Italy and Belgium. When I'm on a buying trip, I look for pieces that I love enough to keep myself. To pass the test, a piece needs to be old, have a history. It should be beautiful, showing its age, and it should tell a story,” she says. 
“I have to fall a little bit in love with the piece. I look for things with meaning. Things that touch my heart. Things that stop me in my tracks. I never know who I'm buying it for, but my things always seem to find where they are meant to be. 
In a way, Jessica feels it’s meant to be how she arrived at Market Hill. 
“Round Top is the biggest and most exciting antiques event in the U.S. Any antiques dealer worth his salt wouldn't miss it.” 
Jessica had been setting up at Round Top and Warrenton for more than 17 years at several different venues. 
She says, “Paul Michael bought from me years ago. I never would have imagined he would have built Market Hill. I was sold on it immediately. I actually said, ‘You don’t have to sell me on it. I’m there.’ It’s a good place to be.” 
Sacred Heart Antiques now exclusively sells at Market Hill.
    “Last year, I sold my warehouse in Tupelo, Mississippi,” Jessica says, “in order to relocate my import business to Market Hill. It's a great working facility to receive my containers. When the show opens, we are able to offer a comfortable, clean environment to our customers with air conditioning, a good restaurant and other modern amenities. But the real magic is the combination of vendors who appear with fantastic finds from around the world. Each one brings his own wonderful aesthetic and personality. Market Hill houses some of the best antiques dealers in the country.” 
    It’s hard for her to name one piece she’s looking forward to sharing in the spring show. 
    “I am excited to bring the whole collection to the show,” she says, “Each piece is special in its own way. One of the most interesting things I found this trip is a large desk with 12 secret drawers. When I found it, the drawers were empty. The dealer I bought it from had already cleaned out over 20,000 euros in gold coins. But the possibilities of what those drawers held over the years intrigued me more than the money he had found in it. Was it secret love letters? Information about the French Resistance? The formula for creating the perfect Bordeaux? You never know what history and secrets a piece holds,” Jessica says, leading into another great story. 
“Several years ago, I bought a chest of drawers in the south of France. The bottom drawer was locked, and I finally found a key back at the warehouse in the North where I packed my containers. In the drawer, I found the ashes of two dogs. I was advised to throw them out in the field and be rid of them. But I didn't have the heart to dump them out on cold strange soil. So, when I went back South, I took them to a spot near the Mediterranean, sort of a makeshift dog park by the sea where dogs are always running in the hills. I took my dog by that spot on my last buying trip. I told him the story, and I swear he listened and nodded with approval.” 

To see some of the pieces offered by Sacred Heart Antiques, “like” them on Facebook.

Provenance Antiques

Since the early 1990s, Provenance has been a prominent member of the Atlanta antiques scene, pioneering a brand of high-end furniture with European panache. 
Owners Artur Tybuszewski and Yarek Filipczak, who have been friends since childhood in Europe, took over the business in 2008, hand-selecting and directly importing each piece from estates, markets and shops in France, Spain and Italy. Artur remained in the South of France to secure purchases and prepare their shipment to the U.S. 
Melissa Estock joined the team, making the duo a trio and bringing to the table years of experience in luxury European goods and in owning and operating an antiques store in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Melissa and Yarek make trips to Europe every six weeks or so, primarily to the Mediterranean – the South of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. 
“We are very fortunate to make our living by doing something that we truly love. The hunt to find a precious piece is exhilarating. And finding that piece a new home where it will be loved is equally as rewarding. Inspiration and passion is in our nature,” Melissa says.
 “Our creative process is always evolving from classical and traditional to the latest trends – it’s all in the mix.” 
    Making the trip to Round Top for a decade now, there is still great excitement. 
“We have been exhibiting at Round Top for 10 years or so. Amazing how time flies by! Round Top is truly a magical place. It’s a beautiful setting in the country – the green trees, pastures, blue skies, fresh air, wonderful historical architecture and night skies full of stars. Most of all, what makes Round Top special is the people you meet – colleagues or clients – we are all there enjoying a shared passion – antiques! We have made many true friends there.”
Provenance Antiques is proud to call Market Hill home. 

“Market Hill, simply put, is an exhibitor’s dream come true. Paul Michael and his family have put in tremendous thought and effort in creating Market Hill – not only for the exhibitors, but for the clients as well. They have succeeded in creating an environment that allows exhibitors to more easily and more safely set up their showrooms and that gives clients a place to comfortably shop (indoors in air conditioning!). Market Hill presents an eclectic variety of antiques and furnishings – with an outstanding group of professional vendors offering the very best in each category. All in all, it is a very entertaining experience.”
As for a sneak peek into what they are bringing for the spring show, Melissa is eager to share. 
“With all of our pieces, each must have a special quality, an exceptional characteristic distinguishing that piece. A few examples would be: a 15th century life-size statue of Jesus Christ in polychrome wood found in Spain; an 18th century Flemish commode in ebonized wood - very elegant lines and ever so chic; a sensational 17th century leather clad marriage trunk with bronze

nail heads and hardware; a whimsical pair of later-19th century painted commodes from Spain; a primitive painted enfilade from Provence; a very rare early 18th century round/drop leaf dining table from Lombardi, Italy – the patina! For us, so many of these pieces truly have a soul. We believe others will appreciate their beauty and integrity as well.” 

For learn more, visit provenanceantiquesatlanta.com.

The Plaid Veranda

Hello, folks, and welcome to the world-famous Round Top Antique Show and the wonderful Market Hill! 
    I am a newcomer here, but my owner, Judy Jones, is a 20-year veteran. My life began in Scotland in 1880 when Scottish craftsmen built my cabinet. Then I was sent to London where I was outfitted by F. E. and G. Maund with hand-painted tole bins for bulk tea. After many many years in a Victorian grocery shoppe, my new home became The Plaid Veranda at Market Hill. I like my new home, and I have some very interesting roommates! Judy has a penchant for big boys like me! There is a beautiful old grand oak library from the northern part of France with two doors. She flirts with the 32-foot haberdashery from Garnet, Kansas. It dates from about 1900 and has three bays with recessing glass doors, iron pull out racks, a dressing room and a built-in three-way mirror. 
    Please come visit us at The Plaid Veranda at Market Hill. Judy is an ardent supporter of the Round Top Antique Show and feels like she has gained a second home and family. She is genuinely thrilled with you like us. As she says, “This is truly a labor of love! No one in their right mind would work this hard otherwise!” 
    Where will my journey take me next? 

Pittet Architecturals

Swiss-born owner Raymond Pittet opened his first Dallas showroom in 1990. Already a recognized expert in antique carpets, tapestries and tribal weavings, he transitioned his interests into antique furnishings and architectural elements. For over 30 years, Raymond has traveled the world making connections in the antiques making Pittet Architecturals one of the leading importers of European architectural elements in the U.S. Their 40,000-SF showroom on Cole Street in Dallas is stocked monthly with finds from France, Spain, Italy and Morocco. 
    Raymond’s son Robinson joined the family business and creative team adding renewed passion and inspiration. 
    “Why do we find passion and inspiration in doors, fountains, mantels, and flooring? It’s actually very primal,” Robinson says. “When you think about it, the items we feature at Pittet Architecturals are both symbolic and actual representations of how humankind conquers the elements. We cover the earth with floors, keep wind at bay by doors, control fire in our fireplaces, and have water do our bidding in troughs, sinks and fountains. These ancient elements have deep symbolic and historic importance [and] lend themselves to cultural expression and artistic interpretation. We look for functionality, symbolical meaning and aesthetic appeal in our selections.”

Market Hill also protects vendors’ precious pieces from the elements, as Robinson describes. “Pittet Architecturals has never dealt with an abundance of ‘smalls,’ so it was not practical for us to exhibit at temporary venues,” he says. “Who would ever dream of installing nine-foot-tall limestone fireplaces or fountains in a tent? Our oversize stone and wood inventory is not typical to what one generally see at rural fairs. That all changed when Paul Michael showed us his new Market Hill concept. While the sheer size of the interior/exterior space is impressive enough, Market Hill features showrooms beautifully designed for ease of use and access. The secure, climate-controlled showrooms allow vendors to bring a different level of inventory that doesn't need to withstand the elements. Sliding doors, covered overhangs and drive-up access make moving stock of any size easy. Plentiful parking, airy and bright show spaces, excellent dining and amenities bring a new level of ease for shoppers, making it hard for them to leave. Plus, we'd rather experience the excitement of a Round Top rainstorm by staying dry, thank you.”
    “We understand that huge elements made of stone, and flooring are not ‘cash and carry’ items for the average buyer. However, Round Top clientele are sophisticated enough to recognize how singularly special and unique our inventory is. We hope that whenever a client thinks of specialty fireplaces, flooring or fountains, they think of Pittet Architecturals,” Robinson says.  
“This spring, with our improved stock displays, we will be catering to our future clients with a renewed energy. That being said, for those in the present, we are excited to be bring a curated selection of indoor/outdoor furnishings and accessories. Look for an expanded selection of fireplace accessories, both big and small, practical and fanciful.” 
    They will also be bringing a selection of reclaimed antique and vintage tiles. “Hand-selected ceramic and cement encaustic tiles that feature truly unique colors and designs,” Robinson says. “Available only in small batches for that special project.”

You heard it here first. Meet the Pittets at Market Hill, and, in the meantime, visit pittetarch.com to learn more. 

Nomadic Trading Company

Nomadic Trading Company is a family affair. Demir Willford, his nephew, Timur, and wife, Lineke, work as a team traveling the world from Holland and France to Hungary and Turkey, bringing back rare antiques and decorative handmade rugs to their 13,000-SF warehouse and store on nearly two acres in Durham, North Carolina. 
“For us, there is only one way to find unique items: being at the right place at the right time,” Timur says. “[And] that involves a lot of travel.”
On their last trip to Europe, the trio covered six cities in less the two weeks. 
“Our inspiration is fueled by our finds, and the finds fuel our inspiration. When we are up at 5 a.m. on a cold winter’s day, searching through a flea market in some obscure village in France, we are never sure what will turn up, if anything at all. But, when it does, it gets [your] heart beating.”
You get that feeling when he describes a recent find from this trip.  
“The market was closed, but one of the dealers we had bought from previously was there. He got my attention to show me [this] cabinet, a beautiful apothecary cabinet from France, solid oak with expertly crafted dovetail woodwork from early 20th century. He had just gotten it out of an old building, and we were the first to see it. As I walked up to examine it, a huge smile came upon my face. Not a great way to start a negotiation, but it was hard to hide my pleasure. We made the deal immediately.” He adds, “This piece would make a great check-out counter for a retail store or check-in counter for a boutique hotel.” 
    While the Nomadic team travels all over the place, Demir says, “For us, there is no other place than Round Top.”
    “It’s one of the only places I know where free enterprise flourishes at many different levels from mom and pop vendors to large dealers who ship containers from overseas. This show brings in buyers from all over the world. They are all looking for the unusual products that you can't find anywhere else.” Among these one-of-a-kind products that Nomadic Trading Company offers are antique rugs, several of which they will bring to Market Hill.     
“Market Hill has set the bar up a notch,” Demir says. “It’s a true partnership.”
    What makes Market Hill special is that, “it’s an opportunity for us not only to sell our unique items but also be inspired by all the other dealers like us who love what they do.”

Stay tuned for Nomadic Trading Company’s online shopping experience at nomadictrading.com. 
 
 

Leftovers Antiques

Leftovers Antiques began in 2003 with co-owners Ed Fulkerson and Michael Breddin both realizing they shared a love of antiques from an early age. Their 17,000-SF store, located just west of Brenham, Texas, on Highway 290, officially opened in 2006. Ed and Michael travel extensively around the world in order to bring a unique mix of quality antiques, home accessories and gift items back to the store. 
    “Being in the antique business, inspiration can come from many places or from seeing many things but you have to have a passion within yourself,” Michael says. 
“It is not only the mystery of the origins that we find exciting, but the treasures themselves as well. Every day is like an adventure when we are traveling and hunting for whatever might catch our fancy or from something that we are hunting for in particular. We do not just travel the main pathways. One of the most exciting things that we love about what we do is being able to explore the backcountry of Europe. Whether it is following the little old man that we just met in a pub to his barn in the South of England or following the “tip” of a friend of a friend of a friend in France, it is like having the thrill of the chase inside you all of the time. When you find amazing sights and things around every corner it is not hard to maintain a passion for the antique business.” 

    When Round Top comes ’round again, Michael says, “I find it hard to believe that I have been a vendor at these shows for 25 years. Time flies when you are having fun,” Michael says. “It is my passion for all things old and interesting that brings me back to Round Top year after year, show after show.”  
    Speaking as one of the vendors fortunate enough to be able to be part of the Market Hill experience, I would have to say that it is a relief to know that my booth and all of my inventory are protected from the elements and in a location that is conveniently located right off of the road to Round Top. We have had so many compliments about not just the location but the building itself. Many of our customers and clients are relieved to be in a venue that has air conditioning, solid flooring and is easy to navigate through. They also love the fact that the Market Hill venue has plenty of parking, clean restrooms and a fabulous restaurant. All of those qualities are a huge draw for fans of antiques as well as hunters of unique finds.”    

When asked to share what special finds they are bringing to this show, Michael says, “It is not just one piece that we are excited about, it is the overall collection. It is about all of the pieces in the six containers that we have arriving for the show. Our excitement does not come from one project but from what we continue to create through our ever-evolving store and shows. It is about the next new thing or rather the next old thing that we find. We look for charming pieces that will steal your heart. We have traveled to many countries all over Europe to incredible antique markets, as well as amazing gift markets across the U.S. Every piece has a story, a history, and we want to continue to weave that story into the lives of our customers and clients. That is what Leftovers Antiques is all about, ‘leftovers from prior generations’ pieces whose story is added to by our lives. It is about carrying on the history, the provenance, and the memoirs of each piece through our age and into the future.”
To learn more about their story, visit Leftoversantiques.com. 

Uniquities Architectural Antiques, Inc.

Julia Shantz, founder of Uniquities Architectural Antiques, grew up in Wales where she recalls her earliest inspiration.  
“Wales is a playground of ancient architecture with more castles per square mile than anywhere else on the planet! My love for old is something I understood and appreciated from a child and is likely part of my DNA,” she says. 
This love of history travelled with her when she emigrated to Canada in 1983. In 1992, she and her husband Doug purchased a 1915 heritage home and went about the painstaking task of renovating. It soon became clear that the period hardware and architectural details needed to complete the house were impossible to find in Calgary. Where most would have settled for reproduction, Julia was inspired to research and develop the concept for Uniquities Architectural Antiques.
    The “architectural antiques” part of the name refers to salvaged materials, elements that were once permanent fixtures on or in buildings. Uniquities sources these materials primarily from the U.K., France and Belgium from many types of buildings – mills, schools, hospitals, factories, farm buildings, churches, manor homes and houses. 
“Repurposing is really the most environmentally friendly way to build and furnish,” Julia says. “It also preserves architectural history. When a carved panel door or an old gate is thrown into the landfill, it is gone forever. The superior craftsmanship, authentic period detail and beautiful patina of old materials simply cannot be reproduced. We want to inspire others to see the beauty and the benefits of preserving these wonderful snippets of history.”  
Uniquities is a relative newcomer to Round Top. 
“Although we had known of Round Top for a long time, it seemed so out of reach for us, being based in Canada,” Julia says. “When friends from Europe went and set up shop, it then seemed possible for us. We decided to visit in March 2016, and we were smitten. The first show we did was Fall 2016. Immediately, we found it intoxicating – the people, the atmosphere, the miles and miles of stuff, the laughs, the challenges. As entrepreneurs and antiques dealers, it’s what we thrive on.”
Market Hill made the process easier. “Paul Michael has built a stunning building that works for dealers,” Julia describes. 
For Uniquities, it’s more than a space; it’s a community. “We have had [our] business in Canada for 26 years with clients from around the world, but outside of Canadians, we rarely get to meet our customers face-to-face. Market Hill has given us the opportunity to personally meet clients and to solidify relationships.”
As for what Uniquities is bringing to the spring show, she shares, “On a recent trip to the U.K., we were privileged to buy garden items from a 17th century garden in Derbyshire. We purchased this antique Renaissance-style Italian wall fountain of Oceanus, Greek god of the sea. There is a clean old break to the corner, which had obviously broken away many years prior. We decided not [to fix it], but to take a leaf out of the Japanese art of repairing pottery known as Kintsugi. One should embrace the history of the object rather than trying to disguise it. Wabi-Sabi is the key decorating trend for 2018. The Japanese phrase literally means, ‘the art of finding beauty in imperfection.’ For the past 26 years, Uniquities' mantra has been ‘the perfection is in the imperfection.’ It is the most relaxed way to live our lives.”

For more information, visit uniquities.ca.

Hastening Design Studio

Louis Shields has worn many creative hats – he might’ve even designed a few.  
“I have been an antiques dealer for 35 years. I am an interior designer. I design and fabricate custom furniture, and I am a contemporary painter with my own gallery, so I am always busy, never bored,” Louis says.
He has been involved in the process of art and design all his life. He studied painting at the University of Alabama, printmaking at the Washington Studio School and figure drawing at the Corcoran. He became a fashion designer in San Francisco and he opened a boutique of his own designs on 5th Avenue in New York City. 
He later moved to London to pursue a career in art but fell in love with antiques. He then spent 11 years in England dealing antiques and restoring early period houses before moving his family and business to Middleburg, Virginia in 1981. He currently owns Hastening Design Studio specializing in 18th century European furniture and his own contemporary furniture and works of art. His paintings hang in harmony in the studio with his carefully chosen antiques. 
As for current projects, he is working on a local estate in Virginia. “The main house was built in 1798, and we have researched and restored all the rooms to their original paint colors. We are using appropriate fabrics and 18th century period furniture,” Louis describes. Two other projects include the restoration and complete interior design of a 16th century villa in Florence, Italy (“wonderful silk fabrics and early Tuscan walnut furniture”), and a Middleburg home with an “incredible 20th century art collection,” all of the fabrics are contemporary and will be appointed with interesting modern furniture. 
When it came to picking pieces to bring to Market Hill, he says, “I am always drawn to furniture that has a historical architectural inspiration, balanced structural elements, and, if it is wood, then the surface, color and patina are extremely important.” 
On how he continues to find inspiration in his work, he says “I have been an antiques dealer for 35 years. I am an interior designer. I design and fabricate custom furniture, and I am a contemporary painter with my own gallery, so I am always busy, never bored,” Louis says.

To learn more, visit hasteningdesigns.com. 
 

Gallery Auctions

Vikki Vines is the top female auctioneer in Texas and, arguably, in the nation. Vikki started Gallery Auctions in Houston – “the best little auction house in Texas” – more than 25 years ago and has created a worldwide buying trip under one roof. 
A trip to Gallery Auctions, Vikki says, holds the same excitement that she feels when she’s in England, Belgium, Argentina, Spain, France or anywhere in the U.S. 
As the largest trade source in the southwest, Gallery Auctions has become known to dealers around the country as the place to go to for great variety of antiques and accessories from traditional French and English antiques to mid-century modern furniture to on-trend accents. 
“Volume and variety have always been a part of the Gallery Auctions experience,” Vikki says. “Every day is like Christmas since we unload and sell 10 or more 45-foot containers every month from all over the world. Each day is surprising and interesting. We get consignments from important estates and from Manhattan rug dealers frequently. There are always treasures to behold.”
Vikki runs auctions every Monday beginning at 9 a.m., and once a month on Sunday. She has since brought on her son Jon Goodling to assist with the business. 
When asked about Round Top, she says, “We are full tilt in this business every single day all year long, so how could we not be a part of this special show?”  
Gallery Auctions has been part of the Round Top scene for 14 years. 
“It is the single largest gathering in the United States of buyers, sellers and traders, and we are fortunate it’s only an hour and twenty minutes away from us.”
Vikki is a newcomer to Market Hill and is excited about the space. 
“Part of what I think is exceptional about Market Hill,” Vikki says, “is the design of the business itself. It is suitable for buyers and vendors. This is the most well-planned building! The management has a special vision. They are leaders in creating an environment that is appealing for shoppers and vendors and provide all amenities from the food, the lighting, the parking, the late shopping – the complete experience.” 
As for what to expect from Gallery Auctions at Market Hill, Vikki says, “Upholstered furniture, bamboo items, copper accessories, French flourishes, contemporary furnishings… there is so much. The highlight of this show is the monumental 7-½-foot tall bronze fountain featuring the Three Graces. It was acquired from a Southern estate. We are very happy to offer it at Market Hill.”
 
To learn more, visit galleryauctions.com. 

The Restaurant at Market Hill

Chef Preston Higgins

Paul Michael is a Renaissance man. In addition to having four Paul Michael Company stores, an exclusive line of handmade furniture and his recent new development Market Hill, he loves baking bread, making pizza (with his famous red sauce) and even has a brick oven that he, of course, built by hand inside his office on Main Street in Lake Village, Arkansas. He is a maker and a baker. So, when it came to imagining what Market Hill could be, a restaurant was always part of the plan. 
    Paul’s culinary vision led to Preston Higgins, chef and owner of Baxter Catering Company in Bastrop, Texas. Preston has 20 years of experience and takes great pride in his food. Everything prepared in his kitchen at Market Hill is grilled, roasted or smoked. There is no fryer. The intention behind this is to prepare fresh, healthy, delicious meals for Market Hill guests and vendors. When asked about the Market Hill experience, every vendor mentioned the restaurant. 
    The Restaurant at Market Hill features daily lunch specials and dinner options with a variety of proteins – lamb, beef, chicken and fish – and vegetables – brussels, spinach, broccoli and asparagus. “We toss the potatoes with a little extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper and we bake them,” Preston says. It’s simple, real food with good flavor, nothing artificial. “I love the transformation of raw product to what you see on your plate,” he says.  

 There’s also a great selection of beer and wine and homemade desserts. 
    The long tables in the restaurant are set up to be experienced family-style. It’s a great place to gather, enjoy a meal, share stories from your day over a glass of wine. 
Market Hill brings people together. The Restaurant at Market Hill feeds them. 

Don and Marta Orwig Antiques

 This couple has made the 20-hour drive from Corunna, Indiana, to Round Top, Texas, for nearly 30 years. Each season, Don and Marta Orwig bring two semis filled with antiques. Don, long-time wheeler and dealer, is hesitant to show his hand on any particular pieces they’re bringing this time ’round, because he says customers will want to buy them before they can put them on the truck. 
“What we do say is that we bring the very best things we have found in the last six months,” Don says. We are known for unusual, odd and unique American pieces. We love old advertising signs and have some killer ones to bring this spring.” He adds, “We do have a barn find, an original red 1958 Chevy 3100 pick-up truck for sale.    Don’s affinity for barn finds goes way back. Raised in a farming family, Don would accompany his parents to auctions when he was just a boy. This is where he credits getting his start in the business of buying and selling, on a small scale, using his allowance money. It was in college at Purdue University in 1972 that Don made the leap into antiques after borrowing a few hundred dollars from his dad to score an entire lot at an incredibly low cost. He loaded and unloaded his Chevy truck nine times and used this haul to open his first store in Corunna. 

He began coming to Round Top in 1990 when Karen Anderson, a dealer from nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana, invited him to share a booth with her at Emma Lee Turney’s Antiques Show. Emma Lee Turney, “The Grand Dame of Round Top,” was, of course, the visionary and founder of the original Round Top Antiques Show. That year, he sold nearly everything he brought, and he’s been coming ever since. 
Don and Marta are happy to have found their home at Market Hill. 
 “We have been setting up at the Round Top shows for nearly 30 years. Having done shows from Maine to Colorado and all points between, there is no other venue anywhere in the U.S. that offers the quality and quantity that the dealers here at Market Hill do.” 
He says the amenities like air conditioning, the restaurant, public restrooms and being able to have a glass of wine are among the other perks for Market Hill customers. Being open for a good stretch of time helps too, for vendors and customers.  
“Most shows are only open for a day, maybe two or three. Being open here at Market Hill over the course of two weeks lets many more customers have the opportunity to plan day trips or weeklong trips to shop. It gives everyone a chance to buy and sell to a much wider audience.”
“Market Hill is just this kind of experience. A unique collection of some of the very best dealers at Round Top. Most have years of experience, generous personalities and a great desire to give the customers a warm and comfortable shopping trip plus the food at Market Hill is the absolute best of any of the fields.”

“Doing antiques shows is really our life. Our friends are mostly all in the business. We get to see each other every fall and spring. We socialize together, eat at our favorite restaurants, catch up on what each other has found in the last six months. We even get to buy from one another and try to ‘out-do’ each other in sales. Antiques dealers are really quite a special diverse bunch of very nice people,” Don says. 
According to Marta, “This is our home for as long as they will have us.” 

For more information, email martao@live.com. 

Gather ’Round

Sheila Youngblood welcomes all to sit at her table under the big Texas sky. 

Feast in the Field
March 26 and 27
Rancho Pillow 

When owner Sheila Youngblood opened Rancho Pillow to the public in the spring of 2016 during the Antiques Fair, she welcomed all to sit at her table for the first Feast in the Field. 
“I thought it would be a wonderful way to introduce people to the property for the first time, taking tours, telling stories and connecting over a home-cooked meal under the stars, as I would with my own family,” she says. 
More than a meal, it’s a feast for the senses too. Arriving at the 20-acre, technicolor compound, it’s more of a fantasy retreat than boutique hotel. It’s spacious and secluded with plenty of room to wander and to dream. There’s something imaginative, artful and fun everywhere you look – neon signs, a teepee, the large three-story Dutch barn filled with antiques, collectibles, books of poetry, bongos and cowboy hats; there’s the “Love Shack,” “Red House, “Tower House,” a bathhouse, swimming pool and fire pit. Getting the lay of the land, drink in hand, there’s this kind of cool, calm, communal vibe that wraps itself around you like a Mexican blanket. The guests you meet there; they get it too. It’s a feeling of finding your people when you didn’t even realize you were looking for them. 

Then there’s the food. For the upcoming feasts, Sheila has selected San Antonio chef Steve McHugh of Cured at Pearl restaurant to prepare the meal on March 26 and, the following evening, on March 27, New Orleans chefs Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus, of Coquette, will do the honors. 
"The menu is completely up to the chefs. I only ask that one part of the meal is prepared over an open fire in the field,” Sheila says.  
“[We’ve had] paellas in giant pans, chickens roasting in the wood-fired oven on wheels, whole pigs on a spit, vegetables on a grill over a small ground fire, pineapples hanging on a Frances Mallmann-style cooking dome. Our guests love interacting with the chefs doing what they love and being with them in beautiful country in a place full of heart. Every chef impacts people in meaningful ways, and it is lovely to see.”

When it comes to the table, true to Sheila’s nature, every detail is thoughtful, intentional and arranged with love. Prepared for 100 guests, the place settings include mismatched china, flatware, glasses and jars in all colors. Bright florals and flickering candles add to the ambiance. 
How the evening unfolds: The gate opens at 5 p.m. Guests are invited to a welcome cocktail and are encouraged to roam the property, sharing stories from their day. The bar opens; the wine flows and light bites are brought out from the kitchen and passed around the party. As the sun begins to set, guests make their way to the table. Dinner is served family-style with multiple mains and sides. Some folks leave after dessert while others shuffle over to the fire pit where guitars come out and intimate conversations strike up.  

“Rancho is about celebrating authenticity,” Sheila says. “I invite our guests to connect with one another in a deeper way. Connecting, sharing, laughing, inspiring – and deeply listening. We discover more about each other (and ourselves) that way.”
For tickets to Feast in the Field, visit RanchoPillow.com. Tickets will sell out, so make sure to follow @ranchopillow on Instagram for other opportunities like pizza pop-ups on the property during the Antiques Fair. 

The Elephant Walk

Ender Tasci is the man behind The Elephant Walk. 
Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, he came to America 30 years ago to get his Ph.D. in international business. He also has degrees in economics, finance, human resources and restoration, which relates to materials, textiles, woodworking, metal work and construction. 
When he was asked to furnish an employer’s home, he went to Europe with the couple to bring back antiques and special pieces. Within eight months after his work for them, he had four new clients. This was the beginning of his business. 
“My passion comes from within,” Ender says. “You have to love what you do, and it has to be within your capabilities. Being an antiques dealer isn't for everyone; it requires massive amounts of knowledge and conviction to relay that message to someone else to create a demand for an item that is not a necessity.” 
“There is a difference between looking and seeing. l follow trends and news very closely. Antiques and home decor are just like fashion, they change constantly. Being able to see which way the trends are going is a secret to success in any business.” 
As for his personal style and eye, he says, “l love scale, texture, color and, most of all, drama. If the item you are selling is not serving those four purposes, it certainly isn't worth selling. I have been looking for pieces with very clean lines for the last couple of years, simple shapes with great color and texture in the right scale is the magical combo.”

Until recently Ender’s home was in central Florida where he lived with his wife and children, maintaining a farm – raising sheep, chickens, peacocks and emus – and managing his permanent showroom in Orlando, The Elephant Walk Interiors and Antiques. Last year, he sold the space to relocate to Round Top, specifically, to a ranch where he will do some farming and do the Antiques Fair twice a year.  
      “We have 20 years of great experiences with educated, loyal clients that love what we bring to them,” Ender says. 
    “I believed in Paul’s concept of bringing comfort to the Round Top experience. Our venue provides an incredible amount of the most reputable dealers with an exceptional selection of merchandise. Our climate-controlled showrooms, food and all the other amenities make it a refuge for so many people visiting Round Top.”

The pieces Ender is most excited to show this spring include “an old French linen press with great color and texture, a simple silhouette at nine feet tall gives us all the drama any room could ask for. It has the coolest interior with pigeon hole shelves and paper labels for the maid to place the items in the proper hole. Next is an 18th century Madonna life-size, carved with great patina and Lady of the Lourdes with roses carved under her feet, a great statue.”
    He also has something new to show, “I love glass, and I have been collaborating with a glass studio from Mexico to create modern glass wall installation. I hope to have samples in for the upcoming show.” 

Ender is definitely someone you will want to meet at Market Hill. For more, visit elephantwalkantiques.com. 

BoBo Intriguing Objects

Mark Sage is the man behind the brand BoBo Intriguing Objects. The story of how BoBo came to be spans two decades and multiple continents. His middle-class upbringing in Nebraska was very typical, very stationary. The intriguing part of his life – traveling the world as an antiques dealer – would await him. 
Mark earned an MBA with an emphasis in franchising and was brought on by a hair salon company. Climbing the corporate ladder, he rose to VP of International Development and split his time in Moscow and Paris opening hair salons and selling hair products and cosmetics. The Nebraska boy was living the dream, working in his field of study and seeing the world. Then the company was bought out, and his position was eliminated. He was given a severance and kept his apartment in Paris.  
Now unemployed, Mark began running around the city with his antiques dealer friends. BoBo was what they called him, “bourgeoisie bohemian,” Mark says. “They know you have some money and lead an artistic and self-employed life, so you’re bourgeois, but when they see you, you’re like a bohemian.”  
While in Moscow and Paris, Mark always enjoyed the flea markets. He would buy trinkets, bring them back to the states and sell them to friends in Atlanta where he had maintained a home base for three years before his promotion and big move to Europe. It occurred to him that he could explore doing this on a larger scale. Living in Paris, buying antiques, shipping them to the U.S., selling them in Atlanta. 
Over the years, as the Atlanta-based BoBo Intriguing Objects has evolved into mostly reproductions (about 80% of his business), the thrill of the chase is still as exciting to Mark as it was 20 years ago.

 “It’s that ‘magic pill’ vocation for me,” Mark says. “What would you do if you could swallow a magic pill and do anything you wanted? Being an antiques dealer takes me to small towns in exotic places. I buy antiques each year in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, India, Asia, Brazil, Nicaragua and Argentina – 22 containers last year alone. You are always finding something that you’ve never seen before. The people you are in contact with overseas who are selling antiques run the gamut from gypsies to royalty and everything in between. It’s simply a blast to rummage through barns and castles, to meet these people and learn their stories.”
    BoBo has been at Round Top for the last two shows, both at Market Hill. 
“For us, what sets Round Top apart from other shows is the energy, and the diversity of the people who attend the show. BoBo is primarily a wholesaler, we sell most of our antiques to businesses that resell the product. At Round Top, you’re dealing with a much more diverse crowd. It’s a party. It’s a pilgrimage,” he says. 
“It really does have a unique vibe unlike any other antiques show in the world. Plus, the area is simply beautiful.” 
Mark has spent a lot of time over the years doing just about every show, and he says Market Hill is the easiest for him as a vendor. “Level floors, wide doors, HVAC, being out of the elements. It’s all been well thought out and planned. The assortment of dealers at Market Hill is also very well curated. Paul has really chosen very nice dealers with great antiques.” 
As for special finds he’s bringing to Market Hill, he says, “I just returned last night from a two-week buying trip to Europe. I bought three containers that are going directly from Belgium to Round Top. I really don’t ‘edit’ the pieces I bring to Round Top. Cool, beautiful finds at a great price will sell in any market.” 

Then he adds, “Storks! There are 50 of them from the Alsace region of eastern France. They are stone, from a zoo that opened in the 1930s. Each stands on its own with mounted metal legs. I like unique collections of things. These would look amazing in someone’s garden.” 
Intriguing objects indeed. Come meet Mark, and see what other unusual finds he’s brought to us. 

To see what else Mark Sage is working on, visit bobointriguingobjects.com. 

Antica Collection

Texas native Lisa Strait Vanpoucke has been coming to Round Top since 2002. 
“I like the fact that we are able to reach so many people in a short period of time and bring them home a little piece of history,” she says.
Having been a collector herself for the past 20 years, Lisa’s passion for rare and desirable objects has taken her all over the world, to France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
“I find inspiration in the history and culture of faraway lands, in architecture and in great design from all periods,” Lisa says.  
 “My creative process is simple. I buy what I love. If I wouldn’t put it in my own home, I usually skip over it. For me, quality is a must, along with great design.” 
Lisa met her late husband Eric in the business and she credits him for turning her love of collecting into a way of life. He is also the inspiration for her new line of signature candles.   
“I created the line as a love story. Released this month, “Who’s My Love,” is a gold candle, very sexy and feminine, and its counterpart “C’est Toi,” is silver, which is more masculine. It’s very personal to me. My late husband Eric who was French would ask me the question, in English, ‘Who’s my love?’ I would always respond with the question, ‘Me?’ And he would answer back in French, “C’est toi” (“It’s you!”). I’ve always been attracted to scent and the memories it evokes. For me, a beautiful scent goes hand-in-hand with a beautiful experience as well as a beautiful home.” 
 The addition of a home fragrance collection is part of Lisa’s desire to push herself creatively. 
“I’m always evolving and trying to be as cutting edge as possible. The longer I’m in the business the more simplified I’m becoming, but my passion is continual as I never tire of beautifully hand-crafted things,” Lisa says. “My purpose is to extend that passion into my clients’ home decor and encourage a life well lived.” 

“I love the relationships I have with clients and with others in the business that most would consider competitors, but they become your friends too, because you have this common denominator you can share things with, and they, like you, become excited about what they can buy, and it’s fun.”  
“As a vendor at Market Hill, Paul and his family treat us like one of their own.” For the customer, they have what it takes to make everyone feel at home, including good food, wine and a relaxed atmosphere,” she says. 

Lisa shares just a few details about the special pieces she’s bringing to Market Hill on this trip. 
“I’m most excited about an 18th century Rococo cabinet I found from Sweden. It’s untouched and pure in every way. The paint is gorgeous and so is the wavy glass. It looks like a ballerina in furniture, graceful in every way.” 
There is also an incredible walnut Italian table, also from the 18th century, with one single board for the top and an original iron stretcher. At the joining of the top to the legs is a carved shell motif. “It’s perfect for a large desk – and what patina!” she adds excitedly. 
She won’t include a photography of it here, as she doesn’t want to spoil the surprise, so you’ll have to come see it for yourself – and meet Lisa – at Market Hill. 

For more information, visit anticacollection.com. 

Round Top Round Up

Where to eat, drink, hang out and hang your hat in Round Top, Texas

Turns out, not everything is bigger in Texas. With a population of 90, Round Top is one of the smallest cities in the Lone Star State. Twice a year, in spring and fall, however, more than 100,000 people descend on this tiny town for the Antiques Fair. Now in its 50th year, what started as a weekend has expanded into two weeks’ worth of shows with vendors lining Highway 237 for some 25 miles and into surrounding towns of Warrenton, Rutersville, Fayetteville, Carmine, Brenham and La Grange. Here’s a round-up of what you’ll find in and around Round Top. 

WHERE TO STAY 

Armando Round Top Houses
For more than 35 years, Armando has been a name in fine dining, renowned for the Houston-based Armandos Restaurant. Armando and Cinda Palacios now invite patrons to travel from River Oaks to Round Top where they have a trio of beautifully restored vacation homes. Dating back to the 1830s, the Winn is the oldest of the three and was the first property Armando purchased on a whim back in 1979. The circa 1880s Bybee Cottage was then acquired from the Bybee Foundation, an organization that preserves German immigrant heritage in Round Top. The Palacios kept the original patina of the place while lovingly adorning the old farmhouse with new amenities and luxe accessories. The Nest was once a 1930s home set in Houston’s West End and is now a midcentury modern, light-filled space with pop art dotting the walls. Choose from the three homes based on your style at roundtophouses.com

Black Bird Farm
A series of historic properties in nearby Fayetteville comprises the Black Bird Farm lodging experience. Here, you’ll find romantic well-appointed interiors in an early Americana style. Choose from accommodations at the Grand Fayette Hotel, Market Street Inn, Red & White Inn, Bird House, 1850 House, Sealy House or Blackbird Cabins. Herring Hall, the event space, hosts live performances. Take a tour online at blackbirdfarmtexas.com. 

Flophouze

Flophouze 
Old shipping containers have been transformed into artful accommodations at Flophouze. This super-cool concept by Matt White and his team, Recycling the Past, consists of six “funky little outposts,” known as flophouzes, all accented with salvaged materials, like old bowling alley countertops, and original art. Any of the décor you see in your flophouze is available for purchase – just inquire, and they’ll make you a deal. Each unit also comes equipped with Chemex coffeemakers, Mexican Cokes, Topo Chico, handpicked vinyl records and hammocks for kicking back and watching those famous Texas sunsets. If you like your flophouze so much you want to keep it, the company can custom-build one to your specifications and ship it to you anywhere in the world. Also on the property is the Round Top Ballroom. Outfitted with antiques, artifacts and odds and ends from Recycling the Past, it’s a casual space that has housed farm-to-table dinners, weddings, big parties and intimate gatherings. Learn more at flophouze.com or roundtopballroom.com. 

The Raleigh

The Raleigh
Shane Brown of Big Daddy’s Antiques has opened his newly renovated, 2,600-SF 1890s Victorian farmhouse to overnight stays on VRBO. The Raleigh sleeps eight guests and comes complete with a full kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The interior design is exceptional throughout with a mix of modern and antique, including a Paul Michael Company piece or two. To check availability, visit vrbo.com/931462. 

Rancho Pillow

Rancho Pillow
This 20-acre compound features multiple overnight options on the property, including four main lodges and a well-appointed, air-conditioned teepee. Each dwelling houses hand-picked furnishings, paintings, books of poetry and other thoughtful touches. Outside, there’s plenty of room to roam and make new discoveries, like neon signs, a playground with zipline, hammocks, bathhouse, swimming pool and a fire pit. Formerly available by invite-only for friends-of-friends, it’s now a more inclusive space where all are welcome to tap into the spirit found here. It’s much more than a place to hang your hat. It’s heartfelt, soulful, mystical and intentional where cool people go and good vibes flow. Feast in the Field is hosted on March 26 and March 27 by Rancho Pillow. Purchase your ticket, or book your stay online at ranchopillow.com. 

Round Top Inn
The history of this place is evident in its many existing structures, including the only remaining building from the state’s once thriving cigar industry. Three of the guest cottages are 1880s originals built by prominent Round Top resident Charles Henry Schiege of Schiege Cigar Factory. The property includes the gate house, a collection of farm houses, the little cottage, the loft and other rooms for rent. Explore it for yourself at roundtopinn.com.  

The Vintage Round Top

The Vintage Round Top
Paige and Smoot Hull developed The Vintage Round Top in 2012 when they opened their first renovated cottage, No. 1450. The 2,400-SF home was designed with sustainability in mind and is comprised of reclaimed materials and vintage finds, creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, they added a second 2,000-SF cottage named Boho into the mix. This home is designed with their signature modern vintage style, featuring upscale amenities and materials. Both properties are full home rentals that may be reserved together or separately. This summer, they will add two additional 400-SF cottages with another outdoor patio for games and lounging. In addition to lodging, the Hulls also host private parties, intimate rehearsal dinners or cocktail receptions, retreats and workshops year-round. Be inspired by their modern vintage aesthetic at thevintageroundtop.com where you will also find details on the property, events and shop.

Wander Inn
The Junk Gypsies, Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith, are opening up their guesthouse, previously available only to friends, like country singer Miranda Lambert, as an eight-room hotel called Wander Inn. Sign up for their newsletter to keep up with details on their progress at Gypsyville.com/wander-inn. 

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK 

The Garden Co.’s Feed and Firewater
An outpost of the original Garden Co. Marketplace & Café in Schulenburg, Texas, Feed and Firewater brings fresh ingredients to the table for fun appetizers, bright salads, yummy soups and a variety of creative lunch and dinner options, all in a beautiful bistro-style setting. For a look at the menu, visit thegardencoandcafe.com. 

Mandito’s
New to Round Top is Mandito’s, a concept by Armando and Cinda Palacios of Armando’s in Houston, which will occupy the building at the “corner of Main and Main,” across from the town courthouse. Fresh margaritas and Tex-Mex will be served. The couple also presents Lulu’s, an Italian pizzeria at the former location of The Stone Cellar. Details to come. Check lulustx.com and manditos.com. 

Market Hill Restaurant

Market Hill Restaurant
More than a shopping destination, Market Hill is a fun place to eat, drink and enjoy yourself with friends. Open daily during the show, choose from a variety of lunch and dinner specials, including Paul’s famous homemade red sauce and pasta. For a peek inside Market Hill, visit markethillroundtop.com. 

Prost on Block 29

Prost on Block 29
An intimate wine bar and shop housed in a stone cottage that happens to be the oldest building in Round Top. Order by the glass, bottle or case (to take home with you), and choose from handmade cheeses, farm-to-table vegetables, tapenades and charcuterie. Sit inside at the bar or at a small bistro table, or hang out on the outdoor patio around the fire pit. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Learn more at prostonblock29.com. 

Rohan Meadery
Texas’ oldest meadery, Rohan Meadery specializes in the recreation of mankind's oldest fermented libation - mead. The tasting room is a popular stop for visitors coming into Round Top. For hours and more info, visit rohanmeadery.com. 

Royer’s Round Top Café and Pie Shop
Burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut fries are some of the favorites here, but the real star of the show is the pie. Choose from apple, buttermilk, chocolate chip, pecan, cherry, strawberry rhubarb and more. Royer’s famous chicken dinner is served on Sunday from noon until they run out – the chicken is marinated for 24-hours in buttermilk and garlic then hand battered. It’s served family-style with mashed potato casserole and creamed corn. See the full menu at royersroundtopcafe.com.  

WHAT TO DO 

The Bugle BoyHoused in a World War II army barracks in La Grange, the Bugle Boy is an intimate concert hall booking Americana singer-songwriters as well as country, folk, blues and jazz bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Coffee, wine and beer are served. For a calendar of events, visit thebugleboy.org. 

Festival Hill Concert Hall
Founded in 1971 by world renowned concert pianist James Dick, Festival Hill is a 210-acre campus containing multiple performance facilities, historic houses, gardens, parks and nature preserves. Visit festivalhill.org for events. 

Round Top Family Library

Round Top Family Library
Round Top is the smallest incorporated Texas town to have a public library. It’s a great resource, preserving local history and offering community programs for children and adults. The library consists of two buildings, the main library in the former Hope Lutheran Church, a 1925 gothic-style building, and the Rummel Haus, which serves as an activity center. Learn more at ilovetoread.org. 

Round Top Family Library

The Stone Cellar & Round Top Dance Hall
An authentic 1907 Texas dance hall has been relocated to this site. The sign on the door reads, “Must wear boots inside the hall at all times.” Live music on the weekends. The Stone Cellar serves pizza, cold beer and wine. To view the menu, visit stonecellarwines.com. 

Paul Michael Company

From Little Rock, it’s a straight shot on US 65 South to Lake Village, Arkansas, along an entirely flat highway lined with farmland as far as the eye can see. This is the route people take, mostly just passing through, to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, but, for those who know, there is one place to stop: Paul Michael Company, a 30,000-SF shopping destination filled with beautiful furnishings, fine handcrafted pieces, antique rugs and original art. In addition to the flagship Lake Village store, founded in 1993, there are stores in Lafayette and Monroe, Louisiana, and Canton, Texas. 

Paul got his start selling jewelry at Canton Trade Days. His wife Debbie tells the story of how that came to be. 

“Paul had the opportunity to go to college at Louisiana Tech for his math skills,” she says. “But, somewhere along the line, his father said to him, ‘You’re wasting my money, and you’re wasting your time.’ This was the ’70s and, true to Paul’s nature and entrepreneurial spirit, he set out west in a hippie van.”

It was on this journey that Paul was inspired to make and sell his own jewelry, which he would sell or trade for other pieces and take it all to Canton Trade Days. 

Years later, at the height of his jewelry business, Paul was selling sterling silver jewelry to Dillard’s, Nordstrom and Macy’s in more than 700 stores.

“He has always been able to forecast trends,” Debbie says. “More than his ability to make or build stuff, he gets women. He understands what they want before they do.”  

Paul and Debbie met in Nashville, Tennessee, where she owned Betty Boop’s, one of the first vintage clothing stores in the country. Sharing a love of antiquing, the couple formed a bond and eventually a business. Paul Michael Company will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.   
In Paul’s world, his principles are reclaim, reuse, recycle and redecorate. It was important to him to do something that separated Paul Michael Company from other businesses. This was the inspiration for Paul Michael Exclusives – 100% American made pieces constructed of mostly architectural salvage and reclaimed wood that Paul has been collecting for years. In Dermott, Arkansas, the woodshop is open seven days a week, developing, manufacturing and designing original pieces. Paul believes everybody is creative; they just need an opportunity to explore and express it. This is the place where that happens.  

Paul Michael Company’s newest creative endeavor is Market Hill in Round Top, Texas, the 130,000-SF space with seven buildings under one roof, including a restaurant. 

“Paul and I have been attending [Round Top] as customers and avid collectors for 10 years,” Debbie says. “Owning four stores required us to have a veracious appetite for curiosities, visual display pieces and items that could be recycled and reimagined into new tables, mirrors, tables and home decor. That was in the beginning of the upcycling and repurposing of antiques. It was also the beginning of the farm-to-table movement and anything that was farmhouse or cottage was so ‘in.’ Round Top was a treasure trove of all of those things. It was and still is a place of fantastic creativity.” 

“Shopping Round Top, it occurred to Paul that the simple logistics of picking up the stuff you bought, the difficulties for the antique dealers setting up, and lack of clean restrooms, led him down the path to creating Market Hill,” she says. 

“Something as simple as a way for [vendors] to hang a chandelier, designing a building to have the ability to use an 18-wheeler to transport their merchandise to the market, and more importantly a controlled environment for their customers to shop in comfort,” Debbie says, are the things that make Market Hill unique and attractive for vendors and shoppers alike. 

“The combination of the best antique dealers and artists in Round Top attracts the highest end customer who enjoy all the amenities.”

As for the creative process involved in selecting pieces for Paul Michael Company to bring to Market Hill, Debbie says, “Paul does not consider himself an artist per se, but he is always constantly involved in some creative process, in his artisan bread-making, designing a cooking utensil, and finally and most importantly with his furniture designs. Like most artists, a simple sunset can influence a color, an early masterpiece can inspire a new design for a table or, of late, natural stones and rocks tell him what shape a new table will look like. After that, listening to his customers’ reactions to the new pieces and the influence of the market helps him decided what to design and what to bring to the show.” 

Paul won’t reveal too much about the special pieces he has set aside for the spring show: “Heavy, large, natural, mineral, stone, involves welding, something no one has seen.” 

Come meet the man and woman behind Market Hill, Paul and Debbie Michael. For more, visit paulmichaelcompany.com. 

The Market Hill Experience

For many years, the typical Round Top experience included traipsing through the fields, sweating under Texas sun, enduring wind, rain or mud – all part of the thrill of the hunt.  
For vendors, setting up under tents had its challenges. Some vendors would opt to leave a few pieces behind, not wanting to expose them to the elements. 

Paul and Debbie Michael, founders of the Paul Michael Company, would make the trip to this antique mecca to secure special pieces for their four stores located in Lake Village, Arkansas, Lafayette and Monroe, Louisiana, and Canton, Texas. 

At each show, Paul would wonder what he could do to make the shopping experience better and to encourage more vendors to come and to bring more of their selections which would in turn bring more visitors. The idea for Market Hill began to take shape, to create a comfortable shopping experience for vendors and shoppers alike. 

Soon, Paul was purchased 22 acres of land, just north of Round Top along Highway 237. In 2016, he designed and built the 130,000-SF space with seven buildings under one roof with wide breezeways and large doors to make loading of antiques easier. 

“I believed in Paul’s concept of bringing comfort to the Round Top experience,” Ender Tasci of The Elephant Walk says of his friend Paul. “Our venue provides an incredible amount of the most reputable dealers with their exceptional selection of merchandise. Our climate-controlled showrooms, food and all the other amenities makes it a refuge for so many people visiting Round Top,” 

Paul Michael Company takes up 11,000-SF at the center of the structure with about 18 vendors filling the remaining showroom space, plus there’s the Restaurant at Market Hill with kitchen and dining area and restrooms. Amenities also include WiFi and parking. 

The word that comes up most often when vendors describe Market Hill is the experience. 

Vendor Don Orwig says, “Market Hill is just this kind of experience. A unique collection of some of the very best dealers who set-up at the Round Top shows. Most have years of experience, generous personalities, and a great desire to give the customers a warm and comfortable shopping trip, plus the food at Market Hill is the absolute best of any of the fields.” 

Susan Horne agrees and describes how much easier it is on vendors, “As a vendor at Market Hill, the experience that Paul Michael has created for us is amazing in so many ways. Our containers arrive right to our space and Market Hill provides help with the unloading, the installation of lighting, the placement of heavy items and so much more. The support I receive during and after the set up takes the stress out of doing a show. It really is enjoyable! I am thrilled to be able to have a presence at a unique, friendly and beautiful destination such as Market Hill.”

“I never dreamed that a venue like this could exist here in Round Top,” says Stephanie Wheeler, fine art painter and Market Hill vendor. “But Paul Michael did! And thank goodness for that! My customers have really appreciated all of the creature comforts that our venue has to offer. From wonderful food options to easy parking and of course A/C, Paul Michael and his team help in every way possible to deliver a fantastic experience for the shopper as well as the vendors.” 

For a first-time vendor, Stacy Graubart started as a shopper at Market Hill.  “This is my first experience as a vendor at Market Hill, but I have been a shopper at Market Hill since it first opened and am a huge fan. It is a unique shopping experience, as you have a large selection of quality vendors literally under one roof. There is no problem with wind, rain, or the hot Texas sun. It is the easiest shopping experience in all of Round Top as far as I am concerned,” Stacy says.

Vikki Vines of Gallery Auctions adds, “Part of what I think is exceptional about Market Hill is the design of the business itself. This is the most well-planned building! It is perfectly suitable to buyers and vendors. The management has a special vision. They are leaders in creating an environment that is appealing, provides all amenities from the food, the lighting, the parking, the late shopping - the complete experience. The variety of the vendors is so impressive with so many different items to enjoy.

Market Hill is open daily and offers lunch and dinner service. Sitting down at the family-style table, having a glass of wine and sharing stories from the fields is a great way to unwind after a long day.  

Location and contact info:
1542 Highway 237
Round Top, TX 78954
customerservice@paulmichaelhome.com
800.732.3722

Hours
Open daily
9 a.m.-9 p.m.
March 15-April 8