Another Lucketts Market has come and gone and, I must say that I love attending the event as a shopper instead of a vendor. Both are fun, but it’s a lot more enjoyable to just show up and enjoy all of the creativity and hard work of others!
At the last two Lucketts Markets (Fall 2022 and then Spring 2023), I had very specific large pieces I was looking for. I needed pieces for my studio and then pieces for my kitchen. In both cases, I found just what I was looking for. I still have a few big pieces I’m looking for, but none of them are pressing. I have pieces that will work until I find something that is perfect. I still debated renting a cargo van for the market just in case I found one of those perfect pieces. After discussing it with Jeff and considering the cost (about $100), I decided to rent a van just in case. You know how it goes…you always find the perfect pieces when you can’t fit them in your vehicle. I didn’t want to tempt that well-known antiquer’s rule.
The morning of the market was a bit bumpy, though. The cargo van I rented was not behaving. It was almost a brand-new van with just over 11,000 miles on it, but it had a strong odor similar to burning rubber. I shrugged it off as a new utility mat or some recently applied sealant or epoxy. Mom and I put mint essential oils on tissues and put them in the vents to help mask the smell. The engine revved when I first applied the gas, but I figured I put it in the wrong gear. I put it back in park and tried again and this time the van seemed to be doing okay.
When we got out on the highway, though, the van started making a loud repeating noise and shuddered even through the steering wheel and gas pedal. Mom and I were yelling to be able to hear each other. We agreed to turn around and go back to U-Haul to see if we were missing some setting or if we could exchange the van. All that was available was a 15′ van, which I was not comfortable driving and I certainly didn’t need that much space! So, Jeff picked us up in our minivan, we took out the seats and took that to the market.
We arrived almost two hours after the gate opened, but I felt surprisingly relaxed about it. It was a beautiful day and, instead of rushing around to scope out potential kitchen islands and hutches, we could just mill around and take our time. We would know what we wanted when we saw it. I did have a list, but it was more to remind myself of things to keep an eye out for.
As always, Lucketts pulled out all the stops and the vendors did an amazing job curating goodies for shoppers. Not only is it a great place to find antiques, but also a great place to get inspiration. Mom and I milled around, trying to approach the order we hit the vendors in an orderly manner, but we did end up zigzagging and doubling back based on what caught our eye. I was primarily looking for frames for paintings, but I was also open to anything that made my heart race if I had a good spot and use for it.
Here’s a look around the market…
Of course, I admired that art box, but I have ones in my collection that are older and nicer, so I passed on it.
I also took some time to admire this painting along with a few others. I never really paid much attention to art a few years ago, but now I always look at what’s hung on the walls in antique stores. While this one isn’t really my style, there is something about the colors that I like. In the end, though, I passed on that as well.
I had also considered purchasing a taxidermy pheasant since there were a bunch at the market. I would use it as a reference for painting, but most of them were showing their age and I wasn’t sure how lifelike the paintings from them would be! So, I passed on those, too.
I did end up buying a few frames, including this beautiful chunky gold frame…
We had our favorite onion rings and a cheeseburger…
We met up with friends and blog readers and my mom even signed one of my books (after I signed it) at the request of a sweet woman who brought it in case she ran into us.
Once we were satisfied, we headed back home on 81 and decided to stop at Bunker Hill Antiques in West Virginia. It was a bit of a mixed bag, but I found a few fun things there as well.
Of course, I’ll share all of my buys, although I ended up coming home with a pretty empty van. I didn’t even need to take the seats out!
While it wasn’t as successful as my last two Lucketts Markets as far as big buys go, I think I enjoyed this one the most. I even commented to my mom how nice it was to take in the market at a casual pace, just letting it unfold and waiting to be surprised…
30 Responses
Glad y’all had a good time w/o the stress of rushing looking for specific large items. So enjoyable to see you and your mom share these times. 🤗
I could only imagine how much fun, and ideas you could bring home. The whole show looked beautiful. So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for sharing.
My rule is: If you see it and like it and have no way to get it home; buy it anyway.
We always figured out a way to get it home. Never failed us. That included a large piece for a kitchen island and smaller kitchen work table.
It’s so interesting that most of the furniture pieces you showed were not painted. Do you think this trend is over? Thanks for your opinion!
I’ll be interested in what Marion says, but furniture has been painted since there was paint ! Typically when they get to Marions house they weren’t painted until she got ahold of them. I’d be disappointed if the ‘trend’ was truly over- hope not!
What a fun day for you both to share. We lived in Virginia for over 30 years and just recently moved to S.C. I am sorry to say I never went to Lucketts. When I lived in NJ we used to get up at 4:30 am to go to Stormville (NY off the Taconic Parkway) for a big antique show. They were held at the airport and they held them every big summer holiday weekend starting with Memorial Day. It was always so much fun.
Next on my bucket list is Brimfield! Have you been?
I lived in Brimfield for four years. It was a dream-come-true!
I really loved the tall narrow chest in the photo with the big Red Cross. I imagine it in my art room and using it for my tubes,of watercolor, and other supplies. Too bad I’m in Arizona
Loved that tall narrow chest, but I live in Ontario…sigh!
I was there as well on Friday, and recognize some of the pieces in your photos. I thought I might keep an eye out for you, but there was so much to see that I forgot to look for you! It was my first time at Lucketts, and I was pleasantly surprised. Although the two hour drive back to south central PA was not as much fun as the Market itself.
Do you know Amy Whyte who designs for Lucketts ? Her home in VA was recently featured in the latest iIssue of Country Home mag I believe I asked you this recently but never got an answer from you ? ?
Yes, I have known her for years! Amy used to purchase furniture and antiques from me when I was in the early years of my business and then I sold out of the Lucketts Store, so I got to know everyone there well.
Thoroughly enjoyed your visit to Lucketts from the other side of the world ! Actually enjoy it every year. Good to see your mother too 💕
I’ve always enjoyed reading your blog posts. However, this one was so difficult to read with ads between every photo & paragraph. I understand this is your business & ads make you income, but it’s very disappointing to see how many are there now & how disruptive it is trying to read your post. I hope you’ll consider scaling back on the ads in the future.
I agree! Very annoying to see all that movement while you are trying to read. Who looks at them anyway? Our eyes are all trained to ignore by now.
I had difficulty also! I had to scroll down from the beginning three times because my iPad would “refresh” on its own. Very frustrating.
I totally agree. This was going to be my comment until I saw yours. SO annoying!
I addressed this in a post last week when someone brought it up. Ads have become more intrusive as our screens have gotten smaller. Especially if you’re looking on a smartphone, you will see a lot more ads than you would on a computer. Since there isn’t a sidebar, the ads have to be distributed through the content. It’s just the nature of publishing a site with ads in this day and age.
I understand that no one likes ads. None of us, including me, would ever ask to see more advertising (except maybe during the Super Bowl.) But, reducing my ads means taking a pay cut. which would be substantial if I get rid of the most intrusive ads (since they pay the most,) I’m honestly not willing to do that given how much it costs to host this site and how much work I have to put into it. I hope you understand!
All you need is a simple ad blocker. They work to block out all the pop up ads and trackers.
thanks for posting all the pics of Lucketts! So interesting to see what the “look” is out east. I agree, not much painted, not much color at all, just white, brown, brass, and a little greenery, very earthy.
I’m so glad to see you and your mom’s trip to Lucketts, it looks fabulous! I’ve got family in PA, now to persuade someone to go with me! I went to a big art festival here in Alabama this weekend that my mom and I went to together every year. I hadn’t gone without her until this year but luckily I felt I could go with my good friend. So many wonderful times with moms and daughters, especially when the daughters have sons!
It was so nice to meet you and your mom. It really was a nice day😊
Sure was a beautiful day there Friday. Always an enjoyable time, with my sister and daughter. So much inspiration! I agree painted furniture wasnt plentiful this time, but its always been popular with me since I was a preteen. I still have pieces my Gran painted in the 60s
As always, enjoyable to visit the market through your photos. Looked like a beautiful day.
“Potential kitchen islands” – so the current island table will be relocated in the future??
No, I meant that’s what I was looking for last time. This island is staying!
I wasn’t able to attend Lucketts for either the Spring or Fall show due to prior commitments, so it was nice to visit through your pictures. It is always nice to attend a show at a more leisurely pace and take it all in. I have found several good buys at Lucketts and other times I passed on things that weren’t quite right and came home empty handed. I have gotten more selective as I have gotten older, and it really has to be something I love now.
In all the years I have been reading your blog I have never had ads show up. Could it be in their “settings”? I have wanted to attend Round Top and Lucketts for years. I have been to some great sales, and these two are still on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Do you try to fix damaged frames, say where the moulding is chipped?
Looks like a fun and relaxing day! I wish that these kinds of events happened where I live.
That was my favorite piece you bought in spring—-table so much better than a traditional island, liked the display or storage underneath.