BUILDING A NEW HOUSE WITH OLD THINGS:Antique Chandeliers from Round Top

Lucy's Inspired HomeLucy's Inspired Travel

May 15

In a world where everything seems fleeting and disposable (and so new, might I add), there's a certain allure in embracing the timeless charm of old things.

From weathered wood to antique fixtures, these treasures of the past hold stories within their seams, waiting to be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Imagine walking through a front door that was salvaged from a historic building, cooking in a kitchen adorned with reclaimed materials, or washing paintbrushes in an art studio sink recovered from an abandoned schoolhouse.

Building a new house with old things is not just about construction; it's about crafting a home infused with nostalgia, sustainability, and a deep sense of connection to the past.

In this series, we'll explore the magic of integrating salvaged treasures into modern home design as I personally walk through the journey myself!

From sourcing vintage finds to the creative process of styling, we'll delve into the practicalities and the aesthetics of marrying the old with the new. But more than just a design choice, this endeavor is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and preservation of both materials themselves and the memories they carry.

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Going to Round Top (one of the largest and most prestigious antique fairs in the United States) has been a dream of mine for well over a decade, but it was a dream that felt hard to navigate.

Early this year I learned about a retreat at Round Top where my dear friend (and someone who inspires me daily), Jeanne Oliver, would be teaching a workshop.

That was just the sign I needed to finally take the plunge and decide to make the trip. The retreat was hosted at Vintage Round Top, and you can read more about my FULL Round Top experience HERE!

I’ll admit - being in the final few months of building a new house is proooobably not the most ideal time to go to one of the biggest antique shows in the world. Especially if you’re me 😅

But I knew if I didn’t say yes to this adventure, I would continue finding excuses to put it off in the years to come. Having my friend Jeanne there was a huge motivator, as I knew she would be so wonderful to shop with. I would also soon discover that enjoying this experience with a new group of friends would create memories that would last a lifetime.

One of my biggest hesitations in going on this adventure was that I wouldn’t know exactly what to look for, leading me to “over shop” with no direction and coming home with a truckload of potentially unneeded items. But, surely I could find somewhere to put them!

For real, to combat this fear, I started following along with a variety of vendors/creators that would be at the event so I could really start wrapping my mind around what types of products would be there.

Because I knew it would be so overwhelming, I decided to choose one particular “what to look for at Round Top” item, which was lighting for my new house.

Now, I’ll be honest. I went into the experience knowing that LIGHTING would be a huge challenge to find, much less transport back to Alabama. Needless to say, my expectations were low – but I love a challenge!

And BOY, was a challenge in store!

On the first day of Round Top we went to one of the largest venues, BLUE HILLS, where I got to visit one of my favorite antique dealers, East End Salvage. I’ve been following them for what feels like forever, and just bought a kitchen island from them, so I couldn’t wait to meet them in person. I knew they would have so many things I’d love – my feet couldn’t walk fast enough to their tent!

I was so delighted that they recognized me upon my arrival, and I was not surprised that we hit it off right away (instant friends)! CLICK HERE to read/see more about all of my finds from their tent, plus the additional time we spent at Blue Hills.

Before heading out from Blue Hills, I just had to run and catch up with my friend Kerri at The Cotton Shed. So, I beelined straight to her tent, stumbling upon goodies from her and other spots as I went. After visiting Kerri, I wandered into a massive barn filled with the coolest European antiques. I didn't expect to find anything, but as I strolled around, I spotted two ladies checking out a jaw-dropping chandelier that absolutely blew me away!

They had the salesman with them, chatting about the chandelier, snapping pictures, and circling around it. It was clear they were very interested in purchasing it, and since I shared their enthusiasm, I decided to seek out someone else to inquire about the price. I didn't want to approach while they were pondering their decision, as I know that feeling of someone else eyeing something you want (it makes you want it more)!

I found Tammy at the desk but she wasn't sure about the price and said she'd need to ask her husband, David, who happened to be assisting the other ladies. I told her I didn't mind waiting. Just as I started to walk away, David approached me and revealed the price. It was a tad more than what I'd typically spend on a new chandelier, but the antique had ten times the character. Plus, being a late 1800s Italian piece, its history alone added significant value – worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars! Right? tell me i’m right!

I didn't jump on it right away, but David assured me that was his final offer, and that he wasn't keen on haggling. After browsing for a bit, I spotted another smaller, yet equally stunning chandelier. Knowing the drill with antique shopping, I inquired about a package deal. To my surprise, he shaved off a couple of hundred dollars if I took both!

Battling doubts in my mind, I asked for measurements and mentioned that I’d need to consult my husband. I even expressed the need to envision it in our new home space. With a promise to REALLY consider sealing the deal, I began to exit the tent, only to realize I was running late to meet up with our group. Hastily, I explained the situation to David, and he offered to reserve it with my credit card if I was serious about purchasing. With butterflies in my stomach, I gave him my word, knowing I'd have to follow through.

It was a moment charged with intensity, and absolutely fueled by adrenaline, but I made the decision: I would take them! Rushing to join my friends (who were leisurely sipping wine and posing for photos as they prepared to board the bus), I realized I had just bought two chandeliers without even having pictures of them. The haste of it all left me second-guessing myself, for sure.

I hopped into the van with my group and made our way to lunch. Amidst the chatter and introductions, my mind was consumed with the internal debate: Did I make the right choice?

It even crossed my mind that it was still early enough to retract my decision – to call and let David know I wasn't interested after all. I hesitated, not wanting to leave him hanging onto the items in my name for too long. With Marburger (the next event) starting in a couple of days, drawing everyone away from Blue Hills, time was of the essence. Despite the tension I was feeling, I couldn't bring myself to make that call. After lunch, I grabbed a coffee, hoping it would offer the brainpower needed to stand strong in my decision.

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At our next stop, I walked into a showroom with a TON of chandeliers – none of which were as pretty as mine. Oh, and they were literally 4-8x as much as they were asking for the ones I had claimed. This was precisely the reassurance I needed – so much so, I walked outside and called David to triple confirm my decision to move forward with the purchase.

Tammy and David of French Bleu were truly the kindest people to work with, and I’m excited to see them again in Nashville in 2025. By then, I’ll even be able to share photos of the chandeliers in my new home!

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With the chandeliers *officially* being mine, it was time to look the next challenge right in the face: how the heck am I going to get these back to Birmingham!?

Insider tip: when you go to Round Top, there are shippers available to help you transport large pieces back home/wherever they need to go. I had planned on hiring one of them to pick up, pack up, and ship the antique chandeliers for me, but then fate stepped in and saved the day.

I opened Instagram to find a message response from an incredible antique dealer, Ginny of Maison de France, who also happens to be a friend and fellow Birmingham resident. Ginny had responded to a message I had sent to her asking for any advice on attending Round Top. She had forgotten to hit “send” on her response, generously offering to transport things back to Alabama for me – what LUCK!

Of course, I informed her of my spontaneous chandelier purchases and asked if the offer was still on the table. She said YES, and I could have jumped through the roof.

Buuut, we still had one hiccup to overcome…

The dilemma was that I was departing on Wednesday, Marburger began on Tuesday, and it was already Monday afternoon! That meant I'd need to retrieve the chandelier from French Bleu and transport it to Ginny’s truck at Marburger all on Tuesday.

Our group had plans to leave bright and early to make it to Marburger before the ribbon-cutting, which was known to be quite thrilling! I had rented a suburban for the trip – but asked myself, was I really going to drive that all the way back home with my newfound treasures? Well, maybe!

In the end, I made the decision to forgo the ribbon-cutting excitement at Marburger in favor of picking up my lights before Blue Hills opened, intending to head to Marburger as soon as possible thereafter.

Upon arrival at Blue Hills, David was preparing the light for removal, but his assistant was stuck in Marburger traffic! Neither they nor I had a box handy, a detail I regretted not considering beforehand. After their helper finally arrived, we managed to squeeze the massive chandelier into the back of the suburban – it was a tight fit! Let me tell you, this thing is enormous and incredibly heavy! We packed some paper around it for protection, and then I was off to Marburger.

I was beyond giddy – especially with the chandeliers singing to me the whole way with their crystals clinging as I drove.

I arrived at Marburger without a ticket, and surprisingly, they were lenient at the gate, allowing me to enter. After parking quite a distance away, I was instructed to check in at the office due to my lack of a ticket. While they weren't thrilled about it, they eventually waved me through, advising me to return if anyone gave me trouble. It seemed odd, but I shrugged it off.

My main mission was to reconnect with my new antique-loving friends, AFTER finding Ginny. She's a gem of a person, and I wanted to ensure my precious finds would make their way back to Alabama with her. Ginny kindly suggested that I return towards the end of the day to finalize our exchange, setting my mind at ease.

The rest of the day was a blast, filled with relaxation and enjoyment. Kelly, Jeanne's husband, kindly dropped me off at the gate so I could retrieve my car and deliver the lights. However, we hit a snag when we were stopped at the exit by a determined police officer who initially refused to let me through. Despite Kelly backing out to clear the way, the officer was adamant about denying me entry. I explained the situation, mentioning the morning's incident, and she decided to call the office to verify.

Meanwhile, my car remained stranded there, and I was getting anxious to retrieve it. As I made my way towards the office, I stopped by to update Ginny on my predicament. Together, we concluded that a visit to the office was unnecessary – we could handle it ourselves! With the assistance of the two Davids (both father and son), we swiftly transferred the lights to their van. They then followed me to Ginny's truck, where she unlocked it, and we completed the transfer seamlessly. It ended up being remarkably simple, and I made sure to show my appreciation with a generous tip, feeling immensely relieved by how smoothly everything turned out.

I’m thrilled to share that I OFFICIALLY have the chandeliers in my garage now – which feels like a huge triumph.

I truly can’t believe I found them, and that they’ll get to be a part of my story and my new home.

Infusing character and narrative into my home is a true passion of mine. While it's simple to achieve with furniture and small trinkets, discovering pieces that imbue character into the very bones of the space can be hard to find. My goal is for my home to exude coziness, to evoke the feeling of stepping into a place where you instinctively want to kick off your shoes and sink into the sofa, feeling right at home.

I aspire for my home to serve as a source of inspiration for you, where each item sparks curiosity and invites you to ask me about its story. Building a new house with old things is a way to cultivate lasting comfort. It's not about following fleeting trends that quickly become outdated; it's about embracing timeless pieces that stand the test of time and continue to charm for generations to come.

SOURCE YOUR CHANDELIERS: Below are a handful of recommendations for where you can begin your search for an antique chandelier of your own! Be mindful that this process can take time. I encourage you to avoid letting the search process add stress and rather invite it to be an avenue of adventure and inspiration throughout your design process.