Connecticut’s Antiques Trail

Connoisseurs of design and foliage, your moment has arrived.  The 26th Annual Washington, Connecticut Antiques Show takes place this weekend (October 5-7) in a spacious new venue at the Washington Primary School.  As this year’s Event Chair, the Show has been a labor of love, and a rare chance to curate a roster of the region’s most exciting artists and dealers.

For New York collectors, the Antiques Show offers a perfect excuse to drive the Connecticut backcountry roads a their Fall peak.  While en route, I recommend stopping at some of these Litchfield County favorites:

1.  Drive through Cornwall Bridge, CT for that heart-stopping Autumn-in-New England photo op.  Michael Trapp‘s equally dramatic and chic emporium is a must.

Cornwall Bridge

Michael Trapp from New York Times

Michael Trapp by Antiques and the Arts

2. Warm up your collector muscles in Woodbury, CT.  Remember to pace yourself!

Mill House Antiques

3. Get inspired at  Argazzi Art in Lakeville, CT.  Owner Judith Singelis is a brilliant curator and consummate hostess.

Photos: Argazzi Art

4. Peruse rare Chinese decorative pieces at Passports in Salisbury.

Photos: Art by Canace Blog

5. Refuel!  In the spirit of local fare, make a reservation at Community Table in Washington.  The food is seasonally sourced from Connecticut farms and the space is cool, modern and unpretentious.

Photo: Tina Frey Designs

6. Make a worthy detour to Great Barrington, MA.  The town is a home decor mecca, but my favorite is the beautifully edited Berkshire Home & Antiques:

I hope you’ll share your own Litchfield highlights in the comments, or even better, at the Antiques Show!  I will be there throughout the weekend and look forward to seeing friends old and new (and to making a few acquisitions of my own).  You can find details on the Exhibitors in this post for New England Home Magazine‘s blog.

Cheers,