Photos By Mary Fehr
On the road with vintage vivant Lucy Farmer.
In the South, antiquing is a pursuit that rewards patience. The best pieces aren’t always the first ones you see. They’re found on a second lap through the shop, at the back of a booth, beneath a stack of linens, or behind a row of framed portraits. It’s less about shopping quickly and more about learning to look well.
Lucy Farmer understands this instinctively. For decades, she has built a life and a business around the hunt. Through her brand, Lucy’s Inspired, she has cultivated a following drawn to her approach to “slow decorating,” collecting pieces with history, heart, and intention, then layering them over time.
She has walked miles of flea markets, navigated warehouse halls at opening bell, built relationships with makers and vendors near and far, refined her eye for craftsmanship, and learned when to wait and when to move quickly.
For Lucy, travel and home are inseparable, and her own home reflects that philosophy in practice. Each room bears the mark of experience, an educated eye, and the discipline to collect thoughtfully.
So when we set out to map a Southern antiquing road trip, we asked Lucy to lead the way!
What follows is a thoughtful adventure through Alabama, into Tennessee, and finally to Georgia. It’s a route that moves from neighborhood storefronts to sprawling warehouse shows, each stop offering its own rhythm and rewards.
Pack good shoes. Leave room in the trunk. And plan to take your good, sweet time.
ALABAMA:
Where the hunt begins
- The Nest: Homewood
- Tricia’s Treasures: Homewood
- Hanna Antiques: Birmingham
- Stash: Birmingham
- Revival Antiques: Birmingham
- Southern Accents Architectural Antiques: Cullman
- Preservation Company: Huntsville
- Candlelight Antiques: Elkmont
TENNESSEE
Where you need good shoes, an open mind, and time
- Miss Lucille’s Marketplace: Clarksville
- Preservation Station: Nashville
GEORGIA
The grand finale
- Scott Antique Markets: Atlanta
- Shows happen the second weekend of every month, so be sure to check online for the next show date and plan your trip accordingly.
MARKETS WORTH THE MILES:
Ready to keep going? Here are Lucy’s picks for more of the South’s best markets and antique fairs, popping up on select dates throughout the year.
Original Round Top Antiques Fair: Round Top, Texas
Three times a year, the tiny town of Round Top, population roughly 90, transforms into one of the most influential antiques destinations in the country. What began in 1968 as a small Texas show has grown into a sprawling landscape of tents, barns, and permanent buildings hosting some of the world’s most respected dealers.
Good to Know: Staying outside of Round Top will usually cost less, but you’ll spend more time in traffic getting to the most popular venues, including Blue Hills, Marburger Farm, and The Compound. Marburger Farm Antique Show runs for only five days, so check dates carefully before booking accommodations.
Lucketts Markets: Berryville, Virginia
Twice a year, the Clarke County Fairgrounds fills with more than 200 vendors offering a tightly edited mix of antiques, vintage pieces, and creative repurposing. Hosted by the team behind Lucketts Store in nearby Leesburg, Virginia, the market has earned a loyal following for its thoughtful curation and approachable scale.
Good to Know: The market runs for only three days. Nearby Airbnb and Vrbo vacation rentals tend to book quickly, so plan ahead.
The Great Junk Hunt: Nashville, Tennessee
This traveling market makes stops in some of the country’s best cities, including Nashville, Tennessee. It brings together a well-edited mix of antiques, vintage finds, and handmade goods, all under one roof.
Good to Know: The show runs for only two days, making it easy to pair it with visits to some of the city’s other great antique stores.
127 Yard Sale: Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama
Better known as the “World’s Longest Yard Sale,” the 127 Yard Sale stretches for 690 miles along the U.S. Route 127 corridor, drawing vendors and treasure hunters from multiple states each August. It’s less a single event and more a moving landscape of folding tables, tents, barns, and front lawns filled with everything from true antiques to roadside curiosities.
The route begins in Michigan, then spans Ohio, and finally enters the South by way of Kentucky, running through Tennessee, the northwestern corner of Georgia, and Alabama. Covering the entire route is nearly impossible. Many seasoned shoppers choose a manageable stretch and work it well. A few focused days can yield more than expected, and it doesn’t take long to fill a truck.
Good to Know: Visit 127yardsale.com to study the route before you go. You’ll find maps, vendor hubs, suggested stops, and nearby accommodations and restaurants, along with specific directions for navigating the Alabama and Georgia stretches. Expect the unexpected! Tables often pop up in front yards all along the highway.
Lucy’s Road-Tested Antiquing Tips
- Planning What to Bring: A tape measure is nonnegotiable. So are packing supplies. Keep cushioning or packaging materials, twine, and a sturdy storage bin in the car to corral smaller finds and prevent them from rolling around. Blankets such as old quilts or even moving blankets protect both your purchases and your vehicle. Gloves are worth tossing in the backseat, especially if you’re lifting something heavy or digging through pieces that need a little work.
- Transporting Bigger Items: If you think you might be searching for a piece that won’t fit in the car, plan ahead! Renting or borrowing a van or truck can make the difference between passing up something special or bringing it home. For longer distances, ask the vendor about shipping. Many dealers have freight contacts or regular shipping options and can guide you through the process.
- Deciding What Comes Home: Do your homework before you leave. Measure your space. Take photos of the rooms and the pieces nearby so you can reference proportion, scale, and style while you shop. Make a written list of what you’re looking for to keep decisions grounded.
- Avoiding Overwhelm: If you’re hunting for something specific, focus on that first and don’t let distractions pull you off course. Once you’ve secured what you came for, circle back for a slower second look. Make a clear plan to prevent impulse buys, but leave room for the unexpected. Some of the best finds are the ones you didn’t know you were looking for.
Lucy’s Favorite Online Antique Dealers
If you can’t hit the road, some of the best antiquing can happen from the couch.
Antiquing doesn’t always require a highway. Lucy regularly sources items online, keeping a short list of trusted dealers with a keen eye whose standards align with her own. For seasons when travel isn’t possible, these are reliable places to start.
- JBS Mercantile @jbsmercantile
- The Cotton Shed @thecottonshed
- East End Salvage @eastendsalvage
- City Farmhouse @cityfarmhouse
Follow Lucy’s ongoing antiquing road trips, retreats, and everyday inspiration at lucysinspired.com. The “Wander & Gather” tab is filled with travel journals and antique shopping guides from markets across the South and around the world. For a deeper look at her approach, download her “Slow Decorating” guide, a practical resource for collecting and layering a home with intention.
And follow @lucysinspired on Instagram for daily glimpses of her adventures on the road and at home.
