What Is Round Top and Why Is Everyone Talking About It Right Now?

If you are a design lover, chances are, you already know what Round Top is, but if you’re not as clued in, allow us to explain. Round Top is a small Texas town that, contrary to its name, is shaped like a perfect square. It’s about halfway between Austin and Houston, with a population of just 87 people, according to the 2020 census. So, what does this tiny town have to do with design?

Three times per year, Round Top completely transforms into an antiques aficionado’s paradise: The city’s grounds are quite literally covered in centuries-old treasures that are all up for grabs. Every year, three times per year, anywhere between 1,500 and 4,000 antique dealers from all over the world bring their wares to Round Top and sell them to anyone with an affinity for the finer, older things in this world. The best part? Homeworthy is headed to Round Top Fair next month, and you can come.

Join Alison, Homeworthy’s founder, for our first ever Homeworthy Hangout in Round Top, Texas on October 17th! Click here learn more about the trip and grab your ticket.

But first, some background on what you can expect at Round Top.

What Is Round Top?

The Original Round Top Antiques Fair, the palooza’s official name, started back in 1968 with only 22 vendors, which is still a lot by our account. Today, there are thousands—literally—of vendors that set up their booths, carts, tents, and structures along the now-iconic 15-mile stretch of land, and on almost every square inch of that parcel sits a beautiful treasure. 

And for anyone who’s ever visited a local antique store in, say, New York City or Paris (two of the most prolific antiques markets in the world), you may be thinking that the prices at Round Top will be astronomical, and we’ll be the first to say that some are. A lot, however, are not. This is where patience comes in; you’ll need to mentally prepare for a hunt that will result in big- and surprisingly small-ticket gems. 

When Is the Round Top?

Round Top happens three times per year: winter, spring, and fall, with the fall show coming up October 17th through the rest of the month. There will be 2027 winter and spring shows, but today we are focused on the one coming up in a few weeks. 

How to Get to the There and Where to Stay

More often than not, two of the biggest dealbreakers with these huge antiques fairs, including Brimfield and the like, are how to get there and where to stay. Luckily, if you live in Houston or Austin, you’re looking at only an hour and a half in the car, but if you live anywhere else—especially outside of Texas—convenience goes out the window. That’s where Homeworthy comes into play. We have a block of guest rooms available for a group rate at The Fairmont Austin, a coach bus to get to the Round Top fair, and arguably the best part; cocktails and a seated dinner with Homeworthy founder Alison Kenworthy. Find out all of the details about how to have fun, shop, and dine with Homeworthy here.

What to Wear to Round Top

Round Top is a vibe, and definitely not the kind you’d experience at the Paris flea markets. Not to say Round Top isn’t chic, but it’s a different type of chic. Let’s just put it this way: If you are trying to get your steps in, you can definitely get it done at Round Top because it’s all walking, so wear comfortable shoes and light clothes. Even though it’s October, Texas is famously hot, and Round Top is no exception. 

The Layout of Round Top

Like everything in Texas, Round Top is enormous, so don’t plan on seeing everything on offer in one day. Not only would you feel physically exhausted from all of the walking, but you’ll also suffer major decision fatigue after seeing tens of thousands of antiques. The good news is that Round Top is not just a free-for-all for vendors; there’s order to the fair. All you need to know is this: There are two venues to know about, but more on that next. 

Where Are the Best Vendors?

Blue Hills and The Compound are filled with the best of the best. The former is a 52-acre antique and home decor venue offering 100 carefully curated European and American antiques, original art, home decor, vintage fashion, and unique statement pieces. There are also food trucks and free parking, both of which are worth considering. The latter, The Compound, is slightly bigger at 57 acres and is a bit more lavish in its design. Unlike Blue Hills, The Compound is kind of built and designed like a park. In terms of product, it’s not terribly different from what’s on offer at Blue Hills, but you may find a few more luxuries here than there.

How to Get Your Purchases Home

The ease of getting your pieces home depends on how you got to Round Top. If you drove, just cover your antiques in bubble wrap and pop them in the trunk. If you bought a large piece of furniture—delicate or otherwise—that’s too big to fit in a car, rest assured that most vendors will pack and ship your purchases anywhere in the world. The same goes for anyone who doesn’t live in Texas and doesn’t want to carry a 200-year-old Murano glass vase on the plane. Just ask the vendor to pack and ship it to you.

See you in Texas, everyone!