What I Saw at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair

I had a wonderful time last week attending the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy participating in a panel discussion with Julia Reed, Marisa Marcantonio, and Emily Eerdmans, but I also had the chance to listen to Michael Smith speak about his forthcoming book (it looks very interesting, by the way) and do a lot of shopping. I'm currently getting caught up on emails and laundry, so until regular posting resumes in the next day or so, I'll show you some of my favorite picks at the show, seen below.

And next year, you should really consider making the trip to Chicago to attend this show. It's a top-notch show filled with antiques, 20th century furniture and accessories, and garden-related furnishings.

Photo at top: Garden vignette designed by Mariani Landscape.

Donald Stuart Antiques of Winnetka, Illinois had a really lovely booth, which was one of my favorites. They don't have a website, but they can be contacted at (847) 501-4454.

Lee's Antiques of Kenilworth, Illinois had a lot of vintage furniture for sale, including a pair of red director's chairs with zebra needlepoint backs and seats.

You know that I love porcelain, so I took copious photos at the booth of Lynda Willauer Antiques of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Looking at all of the beautiful platters, bowls, and urns, I was perplexed as to why more people don't collect porcelain. (I also couldn't resist a photo of the Staffordshire dogs that looked like Alfie.)

The Find, which has locations in both Chicago and Highwood, Illinois, also had a nice booth filled with great accessories, like these fish and shell motif objects.

I had to stop at the booth of Ben Caldwell as he lives in Nashville. He crafts all kinds of beautiful copper serving pieces, including these antler-handled serving spoons and flat servers. Made from naturally shed antlers, some of the handles' ends have been carved. (Check out Ben's website as he also crafts pieces from sterling silver, too.)

I love the seed packets from Hudson Valley Seed Library.

At more & more Antiques of New York, there was an intriguing set of 19th century watercolors that depicted various Danish rulers. I also spied a good-looking tole floral piece.

How great was this gazebo at the booth of Mayfair Antiques?


All photos taken by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic