Yesterday, I drove down to Frederick to meet Jodie of The Past Restored to drop off my oil paintings for the Lucketts Fall Market with her. You can read about that spur-of-the-moment partnership HERE. I had to pick Marshall up in a couple of hours, so instead of going home, I decided to poke around an antique store for a bit. I shopped at Emporium Antiques years ago when I was an antique dealer, but I hadn’t been since moving back to the mid-Atlantic region. I decided to spend my free time checking it out. It was very much as I remember it, which was nice to see. It always makes me sad when once wonderful antique stores fall into the decline of booths filled with NASCAR memorabilia, novelty candy, collectible shot glasses, and creepy dolls wearing a half-inch of dust. Sometimes those stores can be awesome because you can find hidden treasures, but they aren’t quite as inspiring as those that work hard to create a beautiful atmosphere and an elevated shopping experience. Emporium did not disappoint. It is still filled with excellent vendors who curate a variety of antiques, art, furniture, collectibles, and second-hand goods at various price points.
One vendor that was new since my last visit was REK Books. Oh boy…REK and I are like two peas in a pod when it comes to the books we like. I learned through the vendor grapevine that Ron, the owner, is an art teacher in Maryland and also sells books at Chartreuse (where I used to also be a vendor.) It made a lot of sense when I learned that he was an art teacher. He had so many books that I already own and ones that are also on my wishlist. I could’ve spent hours and a good deal of money in his booth, but I remembered my current book stack at home and decided I’ll visit another day when I am ready to add to my library.
The impressive collection, spanning at least three booths that I counted, was filled with books on interiors, home, garden, design, art, gardening, history, entertaining, and cooking. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many books on decorating in one place. And his books were just how I like my books – big, thick, heavy, and filled with beautiful pictures. He even carried some of the random books I’ve tripped across online that I’ve never seen in any bookstore.
I already own hundreds of titles he also carried, but this collection eclipsed even mine, so I will have to return and see if I can find some new-to-me books.
Believe it or not, I was very retrained and didn’t even buy one book. I had a good time admiring the antiques and this antique French wardrobe was a particular stunner.
There were a lot of high-end antiques and art (that gorgeous oil painting was ($6,000) for reference, but there were bargains mixed in. I used to be intimidated to even go into swanky antique stores, but I’ve found some of my favorite pieces in stores like that. Many pieces are way out of my budget, but there are some surprises and you never know if you don’t look. I always enjoy the excursion even if I don’t find anything to buy.
The chunky gilt frames caught my eye and were well-priced, but I already have a collection at home that I need to thin down. Large frames seem to be easy to find. It’s the smaller ones that are more elusive.
It’s really a lovely shop to poke around in for a couple of hours if you find yourself near Frederick, MD. It’s not far from Lucketts, so it’s easy to hit along with some other antique stores for a day trip.
I didn’t want to get too carried away with buying things since the Lucketts Fall Market is Friday, but I did whet my antique shopping appetite with three small things. The first two are a pair of small hand-hammered copper bundt pans. I had spotted a couple of larger ones that were very beautiful, but they were similar to ones I already own. I spotted these two petite copper pieces on my second time through one of the rows and stopped to admire them. The booth owner happened to be there adding new pieces and fluffing the space, so she offered a better price if I was interested. I had almost talked myself into walking away, but her discount made the sale.
They really are the sweetest bundt pans and the hammered texture catches the light in the most beautiful way.
I see I need to polish up my larger pieces! These shiny new additions are making them look a little sad.
I also bought something on my Lucketts shopping list – an antique desk magnifying glass. I have a reproduction, but I was hoping to find an antique, solid brass version. This one is was perfect and the glass is even still clear.
I love the patina and that all of the knobs are in working order. It really is a great piece and the dealer gave me 20% off the price that was already good.
I’m just fully embracing the hobby scientist/oddity collector/naturalist/artist vibe.
I’m so jealous! I saw several things in that antique store I’d buy without even looking at the price. Too bad I live over 7 hours away.
Nice finds, Marian.
I enjoyed being on this adventure with you! Your commentary and the pictures made it really interesting! The copper bundt pans are beautiful and the magnifying glass is stunning.
Thanks so much for the great review.
“Y’all Come Back Now!”
That magnifying glass is beautiful. That is an awesome book collection. I have bought a few of your recommendations and they are stunning. My oldest son always tries to “steal” them when he visits, but I’m not done with them yet. I find I’m thinning out some of my things and adding to others. Neverending.
Thank you for taking us along for the ride!! What great finds and amazing pieces!! I can’t wait to see pictures and stories from Luckett’s!
Old stuff is just so fun to mingle with!!! You cannot get the “feel goods” walking around Walmart or Target!!! I, like you, don’t have to buy anything…it’s the thrill of the hunt.
That looks like a great place to spend some time, and a ton of money if you let yourself!
I’m looking forward to the trades to finish in the bathroom so I can display some of my shells and coral, like those in the images here.
Wow! Thank you for such a nice review of our beloved establishment. I wish I would have been working the day you stopped by. I actually have a highboy for sale there which I painted with “aviary” from your milk paint line. It was my first experience with milk paint, and I am sold! Great product to work with!
What a wonderful store! I can see why you like it. The little copper bundt pans are lovely and the magnifying glass is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, those small copper bundt pans are so charming! I like the mixture of some shiny/some not pans, it adds to the color interest.
I agree, Kim!
Looking at these lovely photos of a beautiful shop is a treat. I live in NW NC in an area heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene. We are safe and grateful for minimal damage that can be fixed and are grateful for that. My heart goes out to so many including the owner of my favorite antique shop (where my neighbor had a booth and allowed me to sell some things) as it was washed away in the floods and is now permanently closed. It was difficult to see the walls peeled up and vendors items just pushed out into the creek and caught up in fencing. I have so many memories of treasure hunting there, met so many sweet vendors and have several special things in my home I found there. It is a small thing compared to people losing their entire homes and certainly their lives and, in the end, things are just things. But, it serves as an example of how important the concept of home and its creation is to so many. This shop was a wonderful part of the community and will be missed. Thanks for letting me escape for a moment in another beautiful space where more treasures are waiting to be loved.
I just love the antique magnifying glass/stand and I can’t recall ever seeing one like this in all my years of antiquing.
Marian, I always love your posts and seeing how you use your ‘finds’ in your home. I am wondering what the paint color is on your bookshelves? It’s so beautiful!