A Day In Round Top With Cassie LaMere: Collecting Pieces and Creating Experiences

From vintage champagne coupes to French-inspired garden cocktails, the founder of Cassie LaMere Events shares her favorite Round Top stops, the pieces she’s always hunting for, and how she turns treasures from the past into unforgettable experiences.

For Cassie LaMere, the most interesting thing about an antique isn’t always where it’s been. It’s what happens next.

A vintage champagne coupe becomes part of a wedding celebration. An oversized silver bucket finds new life overflowing with flowers. A piece once tucked away in a booth becomes the detail guests remember long after the party ends.

As the founder and creative director of Cassie LaMere Events, she’s made a career out of creating experiences where every detail feels considered, collected, and entirely personal. Her approach to entertaining often begins with an appreciation for the past, finding new ways to bring vintage pieces into modern celebrations.

It’s a perspective shaped by a lifelong love of antiquing and more than a decade of shopping Round Top.

Ask Cassie to describe Round Top in three words, and she doesn’t hesitate.

“My Super Bowl.”

For a woman who considers antiquing her sport of choice, we can’t think of a more fitting answer.

We asked Cassie to take us along for a day in Round Top, sharing her favorite dealers, the pieces worth hunting for, and why some of the best experiences begin with something you never planned to find.

Before the shopping begins, Cassie heads to Round Top Coffee Shop, where she recommends leaving a little extra time for conversation.

“Round Top Coffee Shop, leave time to chat with the local regulars who gather there daily, you won’t regret it!”

As for her order?

“PSA: Round Top Coffee Shop has Matcha.”

With more than ten years of Round Top shopping under her belt, Cassie has developed a few nonnegotiable stops.

Excess II, Blue Hills, and The Compound are at the top of her list.

At Blue Hills, she’s particularly fond of the vendors in Buildings K, L, and Q.

Over at Excess II, LooLoo Design is a favorite for unusual fixtures and hardware, particularly pieces she can repurpose in unexpected ways.

At The Compound, there’s one vendor who has become part of her shopping tradition.

“Mary aka the “Silver Lady” of Indian Creek Antiques is the loveliest Sterling Silver vendor at The Compound and I make sure to visit her to pick up a few pieces to add to my collection every time I’m in town.”

For shoppers who appreciate a little more digging, Cassie recommends Bar W.

“A true representation of the thrill of the hunt!”

Lunch, however, doesn’t always make the itinerary.

“Shopping usually wins over lunch, never enough time in the day!” Time just has a way of passing by faster than you anticipate in Round Top, Texas. 

Cassie’s appreciation for antiques started long before she was designing extraordinary celebrations.

“Antiquing is the only sport I’m good at. I grew up spending weekends wandering the aisles of antique stores and flea markets, an early education on collecting and the design eras that came before us. Today, you’ll often find me in my butler’s pantry pulling vintage silver and crystal from the shelves to set the scene for a gathering. Cut crystal, antique silver, vintage barware, and entertaining essentials are perennial favorites, and my collections are forever evolving. Beyond the tabletop, I have a particular weakness for vintage jewelry and evening bags that make an appearance at events, and just about anything French.”

It’s easy to see how those early lessons in collecting have found their way into her work.

For Cassie, beautiful things aren’t meant to sit untouched on a shelf. They’re meant to be used, enjoyed, and brought into the moments that matter.

Of course, the wish list is only half the fun. After more than a decade of shopping Round Top, Cassie has collected a few pieces with stories worth telling.

Her favorite find?

“A gloriously oversized footed silver champagne bucket that’s perfect for everything from flowers to chilling multiple bottles at parties.”

It’s exactly the kind of versatility she loves, a piece that can move from the dinner table to the center of a celebration without missing a beat. Then there’s the purchase that might win for most unexpected.

“An 1800’s oak kitchen island with lion head hardware from a butcher shop. It even has a pull out shelf for carving bread and is now the hero piece in the hub of our dual Leo household.”

A 19th-century butcher-shop island turned family kitchen centerpiece? We’d call that a pretty good Round Top find. As for the one that got away, Cassie doesn’t have much experience in that department.

“Leaving things behind? Don’t know her. There’s nothing worse than the one that got away, so my mantra make it yours!”

Consider that your reminder to think twice before walking away from something you love.

The Art Of Creating An Experience

There’s a reason Cassie’s Round Top shopping list looks a little different from most.

She’s not simply searching for pieces to fill a room. She’s imagining the experiences they might help create.

“A signature of a Cassie LaMere Events experience is the artful integration of vintage finds and design inspired by the past, reimagined for the present. At Round Top, I’m shopping with more than a list in hand. I’m observing the inventory, the way pieces are displayed, and even how people are shopping- all of which offer clues to where design and entertaining are headed. After all, to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been.”

Currently, she’s drawn to pieces that bring a fresh perspective to food and beverage presentation. Think butter dishes, caviar service, dessert coupes, and silver trays. Not necessarily used the way their original owners intended.

“What distinguishes our approach is the ability to look beyond an object’s original purpose and envision what else it could become. Some of our most compelling finds come from seeing possibility where others see only the familiar.”

It’s a philosophy that feels especially fitting for Round Top, where the most unassuming object might become the centerpiece of an entirely new story.

“My advice? Look beyond the intended use. A piece that catches your eye for one reason may find its place in your home or at your table in an entirely different way. The most interesting discoveries often come from reimagining what’s already there.”

Something Old, Something Entirely Unexpected

For brides, hosts, and anyone planning a celebration, Cassie sees Round Top as an opportunity to create something that feels truly personal.

One of our favorite examples comes from a wedding where her team spent an entire year collecting vintage crystal champagne coupes.

“Over the course of a year, we sourced a collection of vintage crystal champagne coupes for a celebration to reflect the bride’s love of “Something old,” ensuring every place setting featured a different glass. It’s a detail that felt personal, collected, and entirely intentional. Given the choice, we’ll almost always reach for the antique piece with a little more character, the one that makes a statement and tells a story.”

Imagine sitting down at a wedding reception where every guest has a different vintage glass. It’s the kind of detail that makes an experience feel thoughtful without feeling overly designed.

Cassie encourages couples to think beyond traditional wedding decor when shopping the fields.

“Round Top is a treasure trove for the art of entertaining, with finds suited to everything from an intimate dinner party at home to a wedding reception abroad. And the inspiration doesn’t stop at the table. For couples looking for something that hasn’t been done when it comes to their wedding wardrobe, the market offers an unexpected mix of one-of-a-kind looks and accessories. Think distinctive details, true craftsmanship, and pieces with the kind of personality that can’t be replicated, or ordered off the rack.”

From vintage silver serving pieces to unexpected bridal accessories, the possibilities extend well beyond what you might find on a traditional registry.

A Little Round Top Style

Of course, a day of collecting calls for a wardrobe with just as much personality.

Cassie has two favorite stops for shoppers looking to master the unofficial Round Top dress code.

“For those looking to crack the Round Top Style code, two of our favorite fellow female small business owners have must-stop boutiques during the show. Lauren Owen of Texas has the enviable cool-girl style that is all her own. Be sure to visit her space for the best vintage pieces to build your essential Round Top wardrobe. Don’t miss Natalie Lindsey’s vintage shop for the rarest finds and custom clothing. She has THE eye- her personal styling services (and vibe) add to the shopping experience and deliver a look made just for you.”

Consider these your stops for the pieces you’ll wear long after the tents come down.

Golden Hour, French Gardens & a Well-Earned Glass of Wine

After a day spent hunting through the fields, Cassie’s ideal happy hour feels like a little escape to France.

“After a long day in the fields, La Petite Dame is my happy place. There’s nothing better than lingering from golden hour into the evening in their French-inspired garden with the most interesting cast of characters.”

We love a shopping itinerary that leaves room for lingering.

For dinner, she heads to Boon & Co. for provisions to take home or a drink upstairs.

On the weekends, there’s another favorite.

“If it’s the weekend, Prost pizzas with a bottle of wine hits the spot every time.”

Proof that a perfect Round Top day doesn’t necessarily need a reservation or an elaborate plan.

Sometimes all you need is good company, a glass of wine, and a few stories from the fields.

What She Never Shops Without

Even a self-described antique athlete needs the right equipment.

In Cassie’s bag, you’ll find a hand fan, sunscreen, a power bank, and a tape measure, plus whatever small treasures she’s picked up throughout the day.

Her car is equally prepared with a rain jacket, wellies, a blanket to protect her purchases, and a good road-trip playlist.

As for her shopping strategy?

“I begin each day with a starting point and see where the antique Gods take me from there.”

The sign of a successful day?

“You have to circle back to pick up your purchases!”

The People Behind the Pieces

For all the beautiful objects that bring Cassie back to Round Top, there’s another part of the experience she believes deserves more attention.

The vendors.

“People overlook how hard the vendors work to create this experience. Not only is it a grueling schedule, but they spend weeks living out of temporary accommodations in the elements (rain, wind, 90+ degrees!) to support their livelihood and elicit joy for guests of the show. When you walk into their space, genuinely greet them, respect their craft, and choose to spend your dollars with small businesses where you are able.”

It’s an important reminder that behind every beautifully arranged booth is someone who has spent countless hours sourcing, hauling, arranging, and preparing for the show.

The experience doesn’t happen by accident.

Leave Room for a Little Serendipity

After more than a decade of Round Top shopping, Cassie’s best advice has surprisingly little to do with what to buy or where to go.

“Trust that what’s meant for you will find its way to you. There’s no need to see or do it all in one trip; Round Top will always leave something for next time. Resist the urge to rush from one place to the next, because the best discoveries often happen when you slow down enough to notice them. Whether it’s an unexpected find tucked away in a booth or a destination you hadn’t planned to visit, leave room for a little serendipity. The best finds are rarely on a checklist.”

Perhaps that’s the beauty of Round Top.

You arrive looking for a particular piece, only to discover something entirely different. A conversation turns into a connection. An antique finds a new purpose. A day of shopping becomes a story you’ll tell for years.

For someone who has built a career around creating memorable experiences, it seems fitting that Cassie’s favorite part of Round Top is the possibility of what comes next.

When asked what keeps bringing her back, her answer is just two words.

“The next find.”

Cassie’s Round List

THE EARLY START: Round Top Coffee Shop for matcha and a little conversation with the locals.

THE MUST-SHOP STOPS: Excess II, Blue Hills, and The Compound.

FOR THE THRILL OF THE HUNT: Bar W.

THE DEALERS SHE LOVES:

• Blue Hills: Buildings K, L, and Q
• Excess II: LooLoo Design for fixtures and hardware
• The Compound: Mary, the “Silver Lady” of Indian Creek Antiques

FOR ROUND TOP STYLE: Lauren Owen of Texas and Natalie Lindsey’s vintage shop.

WHAT SHE’S HUNTING FOR: Antique silver, cut crystal, vintage barware, French antiques, an antique match striker, the perfect silver dome, and china for her plate wall.

HAPPY HOUR: La Petite Dame for golden hour in the French-inspired garden.

DINNER: Boon & Co. for provisions or an upstairs drink. Prost for weekend pizza and wine.

ALWAYS IN HER BAG: Hand fan, sunscreen, power bank, and tape measure.

ALWAYS IN HER CAR: Rain jacket, wellies, a blanket for transporting finds, and a road-trip playlist.

HER SHOPPING PHILOSOPHY: “I begin each day with a starting point and see where the antique Gods take me from there.”

THE SIGN OF A GOOD DAY: “You have to circle back to pick up your purchases!”

A DAY IN ROUND TOP WITH…

A Day in Round Top With… is a recurring Round Top Finds series asking the designers, dealers, collectors, creatives and characters who know Round Top well to show us the place through their eyes—where they shop, what they order, what they’re hunting for and the places they return to again and again.

Instagram: @Cassielamereevents
Website: Cassie LaMere Events