Design enthusiasts, treasure hunters, and bargain scouts all know that a good antique market might as well be a national landmark. There are plenty of these, like Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts, the Rosebowl Flea Market in California, or Round Top in Texas, that have grown so large and popular over the decades that they attract shoppers from all over the world. Personally, my bucket list has had these places nestled in among other destinations like the Eiffel Tower, Fallingwater, and Disney World.
During our staff trip to Texas for the final Project House photoshoot, I was able to cross Round Top off my bucket list. I had a great time exploring and picked up a few finds to bring home, but in all honesty, Mid Century treasure hunters are better off spending their time elsewhere, because they won’t have many opportunities to spend their money here. I’ll tell you why, and then where to go instead.
What’s at Round Top?
Round Top Antique Market isn’t just one market, but a collection of permanent and pop-up markets that host Antique Weeks a few times a year in and around the town of Round Top, Texas. It’s one of the largest and most popular antique and vintage decor destinations in the US, attracting upwards of 100,000 people to this tiny town.
Each market has its own unique flavor, but truly mod decor items were few and far between in our experience. Winding our way through the tents, booths and tables, we found a handful of grape clusters, two aluminum Christmas trees, several boxes of Shiny Brite ornaments and some gorgeous black and white wedding photos from the 1950s to represent the mid century era. By contrast, we discovered Louis XV-style French imports, designs suited to a European manor, American Primitive furnishings, and a lot of vintage rustic furniture and smalls that were right at home in the Texas countryside. We came to the conclusion that these markets tended to cater to designers and decorators looking to create high-end, authentic European country, and farmhouse style spaces. No Eames, Pearsall or Bertoia in sight, it just wasn’t the right place. There was so much amazing art, though. If I have the opportunity to go back, I’ll focus my expectations and plan ahead just for the museum-worthy paintings.
So where is the “right place” for authentically vintage Mid Century Modern decor in Texas? With no consideration for any ranking system or hierarchy at all, here are a few exciting shops below that I’m adding to or checking off of the “vintage shopping destinations” section of my bucket list:
Vintage Mid Century Modern Shopping Destinations in Texas
MCM Shops in Austin
Uptown Modern
The AR staff stopped here for vintage props to style the Project House photoshoot back in October 2021. Inside, we were met with all variety of furniture, art and accessories that were so well restored, they looked like could have been made yesterday. The shop prides itself on working turntables in their vintage media consoles, fresh and period-appropriate upholstery on sofas and chairs, and wood in excellent condition.
Revival Vintage
Another stop on our prop hunt, we loved the cozy interior, products and particularly the customer service at Modern Redux. The shop carries a limited selection of larger furniture, but has a sizable inventory of smaller decor items and tons of cute vintage clothing.
Modern Redux
This shop focuses on “an ever-evolving collection of beautiful items generated by art and design’s ever-vital Modernist Movement – from the Bauhaus through the mid-20th century and up to the present!” Some of their inventory is listed online, with plenty of educational information about the product, designer, and maker.
Uncommon Objects
You’re likely to find MCM objects here, but this place carries vintage and antique items from just about every other era as well. It’s on this list because it’s an Austin institution and just a delight to browse. Go hunt for small odds and ends, because large furniture is mostly for display and to hold up all those tiny treasures.
MCM Shops in Houston
Metro Retro Furniture
Over 30,000 sq. ft. of vintage Modernist furniture of the 30s-80s and mod reproductions, this warehouse holds furnishings by some of your favorite designers like Ray and Charles Eames and Milo Baughman.
Mrs. PK & Oz
In addition to the “atomic” mod products, you’ll also find pieces that lean toward other mid century style’s like Hollywood Regency, and items that look like they came right out of Dorothy Draper’s design playbook.
Modern CRU
Make sure to schedule the warehouse’s open hours into your calendar, because limited hours mean you can’t stop by any time you feel like browsing. But judging by the gorgeous pieces on their Instagram page, it’s probably worth your while!
MCM Shops in Dallas
Sputnik Modern
When furniture is also art, it’s probably at Sputnik Modern. The shop carries sculptural seating, lamps that belong on gallery pedestals just as much as any actual side table and yes, they also carry art.
Revolve Modern
Be honest, you probably already follow @revolvemodern on Instagram so you can ogle every inch of leggy Rosewood credenza or plush velvet upholstery that gets posted. The shop is open by appointment only, but their Instagram feed is available 24/7.
Modified-Home
The Modified Home aesthetic takes restored or original-condition vintage Mid Century Modern furnishings and pairs the pieces with stylings that lean toward a slightly bohemian vibe that never leaves a look of period-appropriate authenticity. I absolutely covet every dresser set listed.
TwelveTwenty Dallas
For those who love to color and feminine styling mixed with their Brasilia and Bitossi, I give you the visual joy of TwelveTwenty Dallas. The glass selection alone should be worth the air fair.
Shop Vintage Dallas
From the geometric curvature of an Art Deco vanity to the sleek lines of Douglas Heaslett-designed Safari Sling chairs for Brown Saltman and everything in between, Shop Vintage Dallas focuses on the best of the 20th century with a fun sense of styling and a penchant for fab upholstery.
Dallas Moderne
Gorgeous abstract art, high-end original Mid Century pieces, and a vibrant dose of Memphis Style color make up the product offerings at Dallas Moderne. Everything is curated through the expert eye of a fine artist.
MCM Shops in San Antonio
Contact Modern
It takes passion to build your livelihood into the Mid Century Modern niche, and that’s absolutely evident in every item that Contact Modern carries. Everything is fresh and shining, with plenty of unique and original pieces that I promise you’ve never seen before.
Urban Goods
With an emphasis on excellent customer service and gorgeous furnishings, the shop also ships nationwide so you don’t have to miss out on that beautiful set of nesting side tables when you’re halfway across the country.
Mod Pad Modern
With two whole floors of vintage mod furniture to choose from, everybody is sure to find something to covet. The shop also lists inventory on Chairish, so out-of-towners like myself won’t miss out.
Did I miss your favorite mod shop on this list? Drop a message to contributor@atomic-ranch.com to nominate a Mod shopping destination in Texas.
And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Atomic Ranch articles and ideas!
