Treasure Hunting at the Brimfield Antiques Fair

Whether you're a serious collector or just like the thrill of a hunt, the Brimfield antiques fair in Massachusetts is a must-visit. The largest outdoor antiques show in the Northeast, stretching 1 mile down Route 20 in Brimfield, Massachusetts, it started in 1950. It takes place three times a year (May, July and September) for six days. With more than 5,000 dealers from all over the country attending, there is something for everyone. Here's a peek at the September 2013 show.

Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show
Where: Route 20, Brimfield, Massachusetts
When: Tuesday–Sunday, September 3–8, 2013. The 2014 dates are May 13–18, July 8–13 and September 2–7. Hours vary.
More info

The vendors and their goods spread out along Route 20. The May show has the largest attendance, as it is the first show of the year, but the September show gets a very strong turnout as well.

Tip: Parking lots are available along Route 20 and cost $5 and up, depending on the location. They fill up quickly, so the earlier you can make it in, the better.


A collection of jadeite for glass enthusiasts is for sale. The mint-green glass would make a great addition to exposed shelves in a white kitchen.


Many design professionals attend the fair on opening day to snatch up the best finds for their projects. I saw many red hold/sold tags as early as 9 a.m. on Tuesday, opening day. Stylists from major fashion houses and magazines attend Brimfield early in the week.

Tip: If you're planning to visit from out of town, be sure to figure out your lodging plans early. There are many B and Bs, quaint inns and some larger chain hotels in nearby Sturbridge, but they fill up quickly.


While some people come just to browse, many design professionals, such as Megan Pesce of MK Coastal (shown here with her son), come with specific ideas. Pesce's mission this year is to find new ways to use her reclaimed sailcloth for custom one-of-a-kind home decor pieces. On Tuesday she found two luggage racks she plans to refinish.

"If you see something and are considering coming back for it later, it will most likely be gone. If you think you might regret it, chances are you probably will," says Pesce. "It might be the most crowded on the weekends, but they are certainly the best days for bargains."


Midcentury pieces like this mod chic yellow dresser are always popular. Sometimes you will come across a vendor like Mix on Main from Sheffield, Massachusetts, who is selling this Jonathan Adler chandelier at a fraction of its current retail price.

Tip: Bring cash and come with a budget in mind so you can stay focused. There are ATMs scattered about, and some vendors do accept credit cards. However, vendors are always more willing to negotiate if you have cash.


These Eames chairs are being sold by Jerry and Jeremiah Pasternak, who starred in the Discovery Channel show Natural Born Dealers.


This eland skull and antlers mounted on Lucite, from Mix on Main, is definitely a conversation starter.


Some of the finds require a little TLC, but you can find some great treasures, like this Lucite dining set from Rich Nye The Furniture Guy, selling for $375. All that's needed is a good cleaning and new upholstery.


One of the biggest and most expensive pieces I came across was this reclaimed display case; it's about 18 feet wide and was sourced from a jewelry store. How amazing would this be in a big, open kitchen in place of more traditional shelving? Sold by Brooklyn, New York, company totally Bruce, the cabinet is priced at $10,000. It comes apart into six pieces, so if you didn't come in a U-Haul, there's always UPS.


This piece was made from salvaged marble, mounted on top of a lathe from an old shoe factory. This looks like a beautiful, one-of-a kind kitchen island.

Tip: Shipping options like UPS and FedEx are available onsite. Several dealers will ship to your home, so don't be afraid to ask. And there are porters available to help you move large items to a nearby shipping location or to your car. If you know you're looking for furniture, rent a truck — you'll see them everywhere.


Check out this unique piece. The shop's proprietor, Otis Williams, says it's a palace chair from Cameroon, dating back to the 1800s.

Tip: The vendors are always happy to share the history of their pieces. Don't be afraid to ask for as many details as possible.


My one purchase of the day was a bust for $30. I plan to use it to accent a living room console or as a necklace holder. There were plenty of unusual lamp bases too, like these, which are a mix of glass and wood.


Upcycled, recycled, reclaimed, repurposed and industrial pieces are trending this year. So are statement lighting fixtures. The guys at Cleveland Art have some amazing pieces, like this metal one. It is made from scallop-dredging chain, salvaged from the Hurricane Sandy–wrecked shores of New Jersey. It comes with a Sputnik arrangement of Edison bulbs.


This stunning chandelier is also from Cleveland Art. It's made of individually blown bottles that hang from upcycled motorcycle chains.


Wares are a labor of love for some vendors. It took Kevin Shahan of Swanky Design Studio seven hours to put the final touches on this lighting fixture: applying gold leaf to the inside. Shahan particularly likes working with steel. His passion leads him to repurpose pieces of old, sometimes rusty, steel into beautiful works of art like these two lights.


Upcycled golf club heads were given a new sculptural form here.


These old hand molds were once used to fit latex or leather gloves; they could be repurposed as ring stands or affixed to a wall to hang neckties from.


The show is a fantastic place for picking up accessories that help make a home feel curated and finished. These Japanese vintage fishing floats from East End Antiques in Southampton, New York, would look great on a coffee table or end table.


The weekday crowds are a bit less daunting. Come well rested and prepared to barter. And the cleverer you can be about how you get your treasures home, the better.


This visitor also had a good day.

When: Through Sunday, September 8, 2013. In 2014 the dates are May 13–18, July 8–13 and September 2–7. Hours vary. More info

More: A Beginner's Mini Guide to Buying Antiques

URL: Treasure Hunting at the Brimfield Antiques Fair http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-21381.html