Stopping at Withington Antiques in York, Maine.
I always enjoy stopping at Bob Withington Antiques, located on scenic Route One in York, Maine, in the southern part of the state. Withington & Company specializes in European and American antiques, decorative arts, garden ornaments, lighting, and mirrors. The problem I have at Withington is that I want so much of what they have in the shop - beautiful and unusual pieces. It's a good thing that I travel with a digital camera. Somehow having an image to take away and look at satisfies my urge to buy something extraordinary but something I don't necessarily need.
Martha,
Don't you just love driving along Rout 1 and 1A so many places to just pull off and enjoy. We like to stop by the York Harbor Inn for an overnight visit before heading up to Lubec.
Bernadette
Posted by: Bernadette | July 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 am
Were this not so far afield I would be there in a flash, however, I am satisfied that I found two unbelieveable French regency chairs this week already with magnificent upholstery. I feel as though I have won the lottery!
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | July 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Good luck with deciding about those great finds!
The shrimp lesson on Today was helpful. It is good to be reminded of the simplicity and deliciousness of shrimp for the summer, most especially. A busy day ahead! I used the shortbread recipe yesterday from your Holiday Cookies special magazine, 12/31/2001. Mmm good! Cut them into shamrocks, stars, and crescent moons. Will decorate today. Dad turns 70 on July 29th one week after 40th anniversary of the moon landing on which my parents worked and met! I will wrap in favor bags for table settings! Celebrating at a favorite restaurent south of Atlantic City. We are dressing in black and white for the photographer and family photo that mom wants! My goddaughter Caitlin convinced me to ice the cookies in pastel colors instead of chocolate! Thanks for such great information, Martha and sharing inspiring blogs with us!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | July 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am
Oh Martha!
It must have been hard to walk out of there without that sculpted limestone fruit basket! Hmmm...
It would be great to learn how one who owns an antiques business actually accumulates all of thier treasures. They must have an inside story to tell.
Great idea to just click a photo rather than accumulate what you can't use or find a place for. Maybe *that's* how one gets started in the business! I think we all like to have *stuff* around just for the sake of 'having it'. Lucky for me, I love junk just about as much as antiques!
Thanks for showing some of Withington & Companys amazing treasures.
Posted by: tinay | July 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 am
That chandelier is gorgeous!
Posted by: Julie | July 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 am
Hi Martha,
That marble shelf must weigh a ton! I sure would like to see that installed if you should get it. I like antiques but I can't afford to buy many of them. I think I'll start taking pictures too so I can at least think about what I wanted to buy. Good idea. Sometimes I see a recipe in a magazine at the doctor's office that I don't have time to write down, so I take a picture of it. I get a kick out of people watching and wondering why I'm taking pictures of a magazine. Btw, great shrimp segment on Today this morning. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
perfect spot 4 stunning chandelier, create an outdoor room, covered & use the chandelier in that space, i vote 4 purchasing, oohh the marble columns....aaahhh, mr haskell's nursery.....perfection, i loved everything about it, i enjoy living vicariously through u via ur blog, happy trails
Posted by: charmayne | July 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am
I would HIGHLY recommend a business off the beaten path in Kennebunk, Maine. It doesn't sell antiques, but instead antique home PARTS. Need a door hinge from 1825 that will match 5 others you have? They probably have it. Even if you don't buy anything, the visit alone will knock your socks off. This place is huge, so bring comfortable shoes and your camera (great show segment or blog topic). Old House Parts Dot Com.
Posted by: Stewart | July 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
OOOOOO. How fun! I love the smell in places like that. Antiques smell as though the lives of every owner of every piece could be wrapped up inside the object somehow. And when they are collected in one room, there is an energy that seems to drift from the objects daring the consumer to figure out some mystery. I am NOT a mystic, but in antiques stores, my fantasies abound!
There is a rational explanation for the energy that I experience. Antique objects are often so beautifully made. There is clear craftsmanship that travels with the object throughout it's existence. And the time and energy that an individual spent creating that object is something so very valuable to me that I am moved when I see these objects.
I am particularly drawn to the anatomy chart that was off to the right of the first photo. I wish there were a better shot of that. As a sculptor, anatomy charts are very precious to me.
PS!!! When did Martha University start! I just saw the ad to the right!!! VERY COOL! Martha, you are my hero! Now that is a clever and beautiful way to continue to trade your work and knowledge to the eager consumer!
Posted by: Lara Piper | July 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Hi Martha,
I just found your blog (yes, I live under a rock. lol) and I'm so happy I did. The way you live your life is an inspiration and pushes me to be more creative and reach for my dreams.
Have a wonderful day today!
Posted by: Vicki (Simply Hue Blog) | July 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
The pictures are great, not for what you are focused on but what the store looks like. I always wonder what draws people to a shop and I can see Martha looks beyond the carts and storage boxes to a pleasing marble shelf leaning against a back wall. Fun tour, and I can see everyone is wearing their sun gear (hats).
Posted by: Margie | July 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
.
Hello New Englander!
Well, again I have stories to tell of....York. But its time to say enough about me and MY adventures. Perhaps you knew or met May Sarton yourself.
It sounds as though you might not have made it to Brimfield. If not, I hope you were happily fulfilled all the way through Maine.
You might also like the Cape Cod and Cape Ann antique trails when looking for quaint New England rustics and nautical woods and metals.
I also have a fun route throughout historic Salem provided by the owner of one of the witch properties. How about a VIP open air jeep ride through the antiquity of candle lit garrison shops cobbled with witch history and old wares of a most distinctive nature!
Why don't you just call me your New England navigator. As a travel writer stuck in New England history, parented by pilgrims and fed by a curious nose, I could get you in and out of every nook and cranny--enough to fill ANOTHER HOUSE with every curio, flower and photo you could want!
As a lifestyle chieftain, how could you not polish up NEW ENGLAND as your own!
....Little Compton this week....Beauport Mansion to follow!!
.
Wampanoag spelled W-e-i-m-a-r-a-n-e-r
.
Posted by: Andrea and the Weimaraners | July 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Well, if you Kevin and Jill ALL want similar BEAUTIFUL marble columns, DON"T fight over them!
You COULD have then re-created! and in ANY color to match your decor if you check out this business in Philadelphia:
http://scagliola.com/
Posted by: Adriana | July 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I agree... a picture is much better than bringing something else home.
It seems like I spent years wanting to bring "stuff" home and now years trying to clean "stuff" out. LOL..
Great photos.
I do still enjoy looking at "stuff" though.
Have a great day!
Pam
Posted by: GaFarmWomanPam | July 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Great story..thanks so much for including your fans in all your inspiring escapades. Keep up the great work with the blogs and photos!
Posted by: Diane Roumeliotis | July 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Martha:
Thanks for taking us along to all the stops on your roadtrip!
I think your idea of taking photos of things you want instead of buying them in order to curb the desire is excellent. And you're so right--in a way you've "taken" the item with you by leaving with the picture. I think I'll try it. Another method to curb impulse buying is to pick up the item and walk around with it for a while, if possible, before going to the checkout. This seems to make me feel like it's "mine" at least temporarily and more often than not I just put it back. In fact, I'm learning that walking out empty-handed is actually quite freeing and makes me feel really good. I remind myself that I just saved money (sometimes quite a bit), avoided adding yet another item to the accumulation, much of which I don't even remember that I own, and at the same time left a good piece for someone else to enjoy.
That said, I can certainly understand why you were so tempted at Withington's. Seeing the marble shelf reminded me of a listing several years ago on ebay. While searching for jadite I came across a 6 foot long solid jadite glass kitchen countertop in mint condition which wound up selling for upwards of $600. I couldn't help but think that you would have bought it had you been aware of it.
As for the chandelier, while it is very appealing, I'm proud of you for not giving into the temptation!
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | July 25th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Hi Martha, Boy, you gals sure did have a great road trip to Maine. All of the stops you've made so far are fantastic. I haven't been to very many antique shops, but I'll bet the ones on the East Coast are superior to those out here. I love all of the marble items and it will be fun to see which ones you took home. Another great blog. Thanks, Martha. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 25th, 2009 at 11:31 pm