Becky Brackett: Shopping Vintage in New England

October 8, 2013

As a decor and design blogger I’m always on the search for one of a kind vintage finds, and almost every weekend I scour antique shops, markets, and estate sales across New England. As the season of outdoor vintage markets comes to a close I thought it would be nice to re-cap some of the best and also highlight some great shops that are open all winter long.

Brimfield Antique Show: For me, the season starts with the Brimfield Antique Show during the third week of May in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Bostonians are lucky to be just a short car ride away from this show – which is actually the largest outdoor antique show in the world. With thousands of vendors in a one mile strip, there’s just a little bit of everything. It can be overwhelming the first time you go, but vendors tend to remain in the same lots each fair, so you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Brimfield is a week long and happens in May, July, and September.

White Home Collections: White Home is a cute store in Wilton, New Hampshire, housed in three barns. They feature over 45 different vendors and everything is nicely curated (if you’re not a hunter-gatherer, this is the kind of place for you). They have a country cottage vibe and I always find lots of items to take home. The set of blue bubble glasses pictured above are one of my favorite WHC finds. They also have a separate small building a minute down the road that hosts themed weekend markets. For example, they’re holding a “New England Farmhouse” weekend this upcoming October 18 – 20.

Antiques on Nine: If you’re looking for a more upscale antique shopping experience, Antiques on Nine in Kennebunkport, Maine is a nice stop. The store is huge and I could spend hours looking over every eclectic piece. They carry a lot of large furniture, unique chandeliers, and other statement pieces. In addition to vintage they carry Dash & Albert rugs and a selection of decorative pillows.

The Vintage Bazaar: I just recently discovered the Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury, Massachusetts. and it’s already on my must-attend list. Each vendor is hand-picked, making for a beautiful booths that are merchandised like mini shops. There are some delicious food vendors as well – Fiddlestix was a crowd favorite. The Bazaar happens twice a year – once in June and once in September.