Gorgeous drifts of naturalized daffodils greeted us as we entered the Chicago Botanic Garden for the Antique and Garden Fair; and it only got better as we approached the giant tent where the many booths awaited us. Dealers from as far away as the United Kingdom and as close as the Chicago area enticed us with pricey garden ornaments and furniture, antique botanical prints, gardening tools, home décor items, and a wide array of other pretty things. Imagine my surprise when I approached a booth with antique quilts and pillows made from vintage fabrics and discovered that a Santa Fe establishment, Faircloth/Adams, was among the exhibitors at the show, more than 100 in all.
I
n the wide center aisles, ten large gardens with a unifying theme of water beckoned one to linger and smell the flowers. One garden had a center wall entirely covered with flowers. Another, perhaps my favorite, featured huge hydrangea plants surrounded by water. At the rear of the tent, the Water’s Edge Café featured gourmet box lunches that allowed us to choose from an assortment of sandwiches and salads. Coffee, tea, and sodas were served throughout the day. A wine bar was another option for an afternoon break.
Strolling down the aisles and stopping to look through the booths I felt a bit overwhelmed with the beauty and wide variety of garden-related goods. Nearly every booth used fresh flowers, both cut and potted, to accent their offerings. There were a lot of people in attendance but the tent was so big it accommodated all with a minimum of crowding. The volunteers who staffed the event were helpful and most willing to share their knowledge of horticulture, the botanic garden, and the fair with us. We learned that there are nearly 1,000 individuals who volunteer their time at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Over 100 individuals were listed in the program as serving on the fair committees.
Every single booth at the fair had something that appealed to me. As a veteran of many antique shows, I must say this was the best I’ve ever seen but I’m sure the gardens and flowers helped make this my favorite. Entering the fair, there was a large urn with white flowers and branches that set the stage for many more arrangements. Around the corner, I came upon my favorite thing, a flock of four cement sheep created by a German artist in the 1960s. Cote Jardin Antiques in Washington, D.C. had corralled them for the show. I could have given them a good home next to the pasture with my Paint horses but unfortunately, my budget is way too limited to have afforded their $36,000 price tag.
Moving down another aisle there was a vintage French faux bois table and four chairs for $12,000. Trellis and Trugs from Winnetka, Illinois brought this charming set. It was from the 1920’s and would fit equally well in a traditional garden or on a patio with modern elements.
Not everything cost thousands. MATHEWMARK from Wadsworth, Ohio had large zinc troughs for $275 that could be used as planters or as the centerpiece on a large table. At the show, one was filled with lemons. Large balls wound of barbwire cost $175. They were striking in their simplicity. I could imagine one or more in my garden. Sandstone Gardens from Joplin, Missouri was buzzing with customers buying bags of artificial moss, small urns, ornamental garden stakes, and other pretties for home and garden. They had many things with very reasonable prices.
As if the fair wasn’t enough, we also stopped at the Visitor’s Center and took the Garden tram Tour. We were greeted by many bulbs and trees in bloom. While very few perennials were blooming, we could observe the bones of the garden and we were enthralled, enough so that we went back for a second day.
