Photograph: Contributed
Above: Modern Antiquarian owner Margaret Schwartz on a recent tour.
As if opening a new business—Modern Antiquarian—weren’t enough, owner Margaret Schwartz and creative director Kelly Maguire recently launched their individual and group antique tours through The Antiques Diva & Co, the company with whom they source their own goods. (Schwartz is also one of their official Northeast guides.) “We accompany you, navigate the antique market based on what you’re looking for and help with negotiations,” she says, noting that haggling is always expected, but it’s often hard to know how far to push. “We take people around Stamford, and up into Litchfield County towns like Washington and New Preston, where we find some really unusual pieces,” she says. The pair also does tours of Brimfield Market in Massachusetts (May, July and September) as well as Round Top market in Texas (March and September). “Round Top is twenty-seven miles long, so it’s fun to go with a group and hit the highlights,” she says. Day rates are based on specific tours, and you can book through her website. Modern Antiquarian offers full design services and can source specific pieces and send you photos in real time as they’re on the hunt. Modern Antiquarian; 914-844-8877; modernantiquarianshop.com