Just Back From… Brimfield, Massachusetts

Last month we did a Dispatch from Round Top, demystifying the massive Texas antiques fair with interior designers Leanne Ford and Grace Mitchell, so when we learned that Knossen Antiques founder Amanda Knorr was headed (for the 13th year) to the East Coast equivalent, the Brimfield Antique Flea Market—held 3x/year in the fields of central Massachusetts—we jumped at the chance to copy her notes. The Waltham, MA-based furniture designer is a self-professed treasure hunter/importer of English and European antiques and a sleigh bed enthusiast, who lives with her husband and 8-year-old son in a cozy, vintage-filled home that was recently featured in Arch Digest. Here’s her game plan. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started as an antiques collector.

I think I’ve always been a bit of a collector and an appreciator of handmade pieces and vintage. I love the hunt. But it all really began when I was thinking about decorating my son’s room in 2019. I had my heart set on some very specific items, like his European sleigh bed, which proved very difficult to find in the US. I began importing furniture for myself and others in 2020, and launched my shop Knosen Antiques shortly after. Since then, my love for antiques and makers has only grown and expanded to various different styles and movements. 

How long have you been going to Brimfield?

I’ve been going to Brimfield for 13 years now! The show runs for a week every May, July, and September in Brimfield, MA.

Do you have a favorite time of year to go?

May and September are my favorite shows, mostly because of July’s heat (although September temps can rival it). I swear Brimfield has its own micro-climate! Over the course of six days, and even in a single day, the weather can vary drastically from cool, to pouring rain, to blazing sun. The May show that I just returned from is generally cooler and pleasant, and in May we’re seeing the newest offerings from vendors after an 8-month hiatus since the fall. 

What are you looking for when you head to Brimfield?

This has changed so much over the years for me, but I’ve always managed to scoop something up. In 2013 I went looking for wedding venue decor. Another year, we purchased our first big area rug. More recently, I’ve searched for plenty of furniture and other small decorative items like art, vases, side tables, and other fun little finds. I always tell myself I’m going to dedicate a full day there to just vintage clothing, but it hasn’t happened yet!

Tips for someone going to Brimfield for the first time?

1. Try to go twice that week if you are able! It’s a ton of ground to cover and it’s always nice to know you have a second chance to visit or even revisit some of the fields you enjoyed. Many fields open up on Tuesday (the first day), but others open on Wednesday and Thursday and I like to go to most of them. Local vendors also have the luxury of replenishing their stock during the week, so check back in with those places.

2. Take phone pics! I like to take photos of things I’m interested in as I’m moving through and I’ll snap a photo of the vendor’s business cards and field as well so that it all shows up chronologically in my album. At the end of the day I’ll revisit these photos—if I can’t stop thinking about a piece, that’s a sign. I’ll see if it’s still there when I go back later that week, and if it is then it’s probably meant to be! It’s also easy to let the fatigue from walking cloud your purchasing judgement, so it’s good to have these photos to reflect on later with a clear head.

3. Check the weather. Cool and overcast days are the best. You’ll warm up walking around and there is generally no shade when you’re walking from field-to-field or anywhere outside of the vendor tents.

4. Bring cash/checks. There are ATMS around but they’re not in every field, and some vendors only accept cash. Save your cash for when it’s necessary, because plenty of vendors accept Venmo/cards. Parking is also cash only. 

5. Wear comfortable clothing, especially shoes you can walk in for hours. Bring light layers to add or remove. Definitely take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer. 

Any Brimfield hot takes?

I say bring a wagon or cart, but leave it in your car. After many years, I’ve discovered that I’m not a drag-the-wagon-around-all-day kind of person at Brimfield. It’s cumbersome and I like to be untethered in the fields! I bring a backpack with a larger tote inside of it to walk around instead. I usually go to the fields to the east first, make a pit stop at the car with anything I’ve purchased, and then continue on. For larger furniture pieces you can always pay and pick them up in the field later in your car. I do pack my Mac Sports wagon in the car just in case (it folds up easily and has great wheels), but I grab it only if I must!

Also, if you can’t fit a piece in your car, it’s not a dealbreaker! If you’re purchasing from a dealer who sells furniture or large items, they very likely have a shipper/courier contact that they can put you in touch with for a delivery quote.

Describe your ideal Brimfield shopping day.

I’m ideally going on a weekday (best case, Tuesday: day 1). I’d arrive between 8-10 am and park across from Crystal Brook Field just before Mill Lane. Plenty of other parking lots are available, but this is my favorite lot because it’s central, not too vast, and it has plenty of porta potties. Once parked, I’m going to hit up all of the fields to the east like Crystal Brook, Shelton’s, and Sturtavents. Depending on what time I arrive, I’ll grab a frosé at the entrance of Crystal Brook and let the good times roll. Then I’d head over to the west toward May’s, Quaker Acres, Hertan’s, Heart-of-the-Mart, New England Motel, and the rest. 

Favorite part about Brimfield?

All of it! Brimfield is my happy place, and I know I’m not alone in that. But if I have to pick: I find it unpretentious, and there’s an endearing grit to it. It’s not really a “scene,” and everyone is so friendly. I love that I can go there in very casual clothes and a baseball hat.

I also think there’s really something for everyone, and there’s no “theme” to the fair. Are you looking for a light-up yard Santa? Done. A perfectly-worn-in vintage sweatshirt? Done. A beautiful French dining table? Also done. There are also a ton of places to pit stop and eat/drink along the way to keep you going!

Favorite Vendors?

I visit all of the fields and discover new sellers each time, but I’ll highlight a few here:

Rare Bird Vintage in Crystal Brook Field – Right in the back of Crystal Brook Field. Head here after you’ve grabbed your frosé. I’ve purchased many pieces here: side tables, tableware, art, you name it. She shares a booth with The Cottage Room, who also has really wonderful finds.  

David R. Johns Antiques – This is usually my first stop when I park across from Crystal Brook field. He’s right on the road when you cross the street, with such unique items. His main shop is in Eerie, PA, but he travels up every season with beautiful folk art and unique display pieces. I have a quilt-patterned inlay table from him in my kitchen.

Vintage and Swoon at Quaker Acres – Mallory at Vintage and Swoon has a shop in Sturbridge MA. She has great vintage and antique furniture and decor. The log cabin quilt on my bed is from her booth. This May she was also selling new Le Bonne socks, which really saved me after the fields flooded with rain.

The White Barn Antiques at Quaker Acres – Vintage and antique storage pieces, adirondack folk furniture, planters, and pottery. I have a handful of great pieces from this booth at home.

Levi Streb at Quaker Acres – New to Brimfield, and I was psyched to discover his booth this time around. Lots of folk, tramp, and Americana pieces.

Anna Bugardi Imports at New England Motel – Gorgeous European linens, pillows, bedding, and tablecloths. For decorative and everyday. Pillows are all stuffed and ready to put on your bed—I have some on mine.

Thornhill Home at Hertan’s Field – Beautiful pottery and homewares. An emphasis on Majolica and hand-painted Italian, French, Spanish, and Mexican ceramics.

Seed to Stem at Shelton’s – Seed-to-Stem did the floral arrangements for our wedding in 2013, and they’ve had a booth at Brimfield for all of these years. Terrariums, antiques, plants, decor, books, jewelry—their tent is a treasure hunt in and of itself.

The Tapestry Den at Shelton’s Fiel –  Another new find for me. A nicely curated collection of art and vintage decor—candlesticks, pottery, and little “objets” for your mantle and bookshelves. 

Christopher Cawley and Ry Fillman Antiques teamed up at Heart-of-the-Mart this May: It’s always fun when shops you follow on instagram show up at Brimfield. And they had quilts from Cats on Quilts in tow. 

Favorite scores over the years?

Too many to count! My house is brimming with Brimfield finds. There’s not a room that doesn’t have something I found there in it. And all of those pieces are a large part of the character and joy in our home, all collected over time.

Most surprising purchase?

I’m always surprised at how many outdoor patio and garden items are there—from teak lawn chairs to rattan porch pieces and planters. Brimfield is so great for those finds, and they’re really plentiful!

A few favorite places to eat? 

Once I find my thing, I usually stick to it and hit up the same spots. I’d love to expand this list, but currently it’s: 

Rachel’s Place – They’re right at the entrance of Hertan’s. You must order the reuben! 

Luci’s Tacos for tacos, guac, and the hibiscus limeade (it tops all of the lemonade stands in my opinion).

What’s Your Brew for your caffeine pitstop. Coffee yes, plus nitro cold tea, kombucha. 

Cindy’s Frosé at Quacker Acres: I get the frosé-sangria mix—it’s the perfect combo and at this point it’s tradition! It’s a refreshing, cooling little dose of happiness on your Brimfield adventure. Cindy is opening up an antique shop-meets-bistro of her own this fall in Bristol, CT called The Brickhouse Bistro & Bakery.
Thai Chili Truck –  Sometimes you just need spring rolls and potstickers to keep you going.

You will smell all of the smells walking from field to field—popcorn, donuts, coffee, fried dough, roasted nuts, lemonade and lots of the other quintessential fair fare. 

Places to stay?
I’m fortunate to live close by so I’ve never had to compete for hotels in the area, but I’ve heard they book up early. Brimfield is a beloved tradition for so many people, and as soon as they announce their dates, people start to plan their trips. 

Where else would you stay/shop for antiques in your area? 

Definitely Essex or Ipswich, MA on the North Shore—this area is the capital of antiques for New England. Favorites include: Rusty Gold, Andrew Spindler, David Neligan, Anntiques, Forest Bound shop, The Barn at Todd Farm (Todd Farm also hosts a large outdoor flea market every Sunday from April-November, 5 am-2 pm!).

For the antique appreciators, there are some really cute historic homes on Airbnb if you want to fully immerse yourself. They’ll get you to seriously consider moving there. Other great options include The Briar Barn in Rowley (steps away from Todd Farm antiques). And the Ipswich Inn (a Victorian home, and a great breakfast from what I’ve heard). 

Oh, definitely tie these spots into your stay too:

Beaches: Wingaersheek Beach (a long sandbar at low tide, and the best tide pool discoveries—great for kids), Crane Beach, and Plum Island.

Lunch spots: Sandpiper Bakery in Ipswich, and Joppa Fine Foods in Newburyport.

Historic Home Tours/Museums: The Sleeper-McCann Home (if I had to choose only one it’s this—it’s magnificent), The Crane Estate, and the Cogswell Grant House.

Any other favorite spots in the area?

Old Sturbridge Village is only 10 mins away, and Brimfield has a bunch of year-round antique shops outside of the fair dates that are worth checking out too.  

Hope to see you out there!