spring 2026
the ticking tent times
“I am going to make everything around me beautiful — that will be my life” — Elsie de Wolfe
Brief History of The Ticking Tent
T icking Tent co-founders Christina Juarez and Benjamin Reynaert are often asked how the concept of The Ticking Tent was born. “Over lunch at Pastis!”
Indeed, the two were enjoying a convivial nosh with their friend Dayle Wood in spring 2023 when the conversation veered towards the latest news of buzzy boutiques, upcoming markets and the counterbalancing reality of watching some of their
READING ROOM
cherished city-based antique emporiums close for business.
Activating a fresh type of industry event felt timely and necessary, especially one that convened makers, dealers and burgeoning brands in a pop-up production influenced by French brocante-style markets and a beloved pattern. “We agreed that we all adore classic ticking stripes. We sketched out the tent on a napkin and The Ticking Tent was born,” said Benjamin.
Now celebrating its fifth production, The Ticking Tent will host its fall event in Bedford, NY. Christina said that this year guests can expect more vendors and a delightful and eclectic amalgamation of treasures from antiques to handmade ceramics and vintage linens, decorative accessories, historic art and furniture, tabletop items and plenty of dazzle from jewelry sellers. “There is such a variety. Everything seems to cohabitate beautifully together, like a beautiful French ribbon running through it all.”
Benjamin and Christina say the brocante-style presentation is here to stay. “We love treasures and the thrill of the hunt. We bring our curation of beautiful finds that you never knew you needed or wanted under this crazy tent,” said Benjamin. Christina acknowledged that luxury aesthetic is what you will always find as you stroll the aisles. “Nothing is overly expensive, but it all has value and feels timeless. Our fearless prediction is you’ll still love your Ticking Tent treasures years from now.”
The Layered Home
Christina Juarez and Benjamin Reynaert share their favorite finds
christina’s
Photo
Co-founders
Benjamin Reynaert and Christina Juarez
Operations Director Claire Hunter
Event Producer Stephanie Small
Visuals Director Jeff Lee
Illustrator Guillaume Sardin
Writer Christina Poletto
Special Thank You:
Spring Event Hosts
Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia
The Spring Hill Vineyards Team
Josh Torres
Liesha Delgado
Melissa Kozak
thetickingtent.com
@thetickingtent
Introducing Colin Stark of Stark Blooms
Plants have always been an essential element in Colin Stark’s life. Growing up in Texas, he received frequent lessons on gardening and landscaping from his parents and cultivated a love for vegetables, fruit and flowers along the way. Colin says the joy of gardening clicked with him as a young boy and never went away.
“I showed such interest in gardening that my dad and I built a greenhouse. Back in the 1980s I was growing zinnias and flats of petunias!”
Years later, in New York City, he devoted that attention to small rooftop gardens where he tended to seasonal flowers and plump summer tomatoes. In 2017, Colin traded the city’s gridded streets for a house and land in the Hudson Valley village of Red Hook. Immediately, ideas were put into motion to transform the property into
friends of the ticking tent
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a working farm devoted to the art of flowers. Little by little, Stark Blooms came to be.
Now the floral hub is a beloved connection point of the community. Neighbors pop by to purchase heaps of fresh florals for their DIY tabletop bouquets. Readymade bunches are there for anyone needing a boost of flowering buds. Throughout the year, Colin hosts seasonal workshops such as wreathmaking in winter and bulb prepping in spring.
This April, Colin opened Pocket’s Cottage, a European-style flower shop and event space in the town of Red Hook. Fresh picked farm-grown flowers will be a constant, as will regular workshops. Colin sees how these gatherings resonate deeply with participants seeking creative outlets without screens. “At the workshops, what we’re really selling is joy and maybe even a little bit of grief counseling. It’s about creating delight and human connection.” starkblooms.com
COLIN’S 3-PIECE POSY: Tulips + Eucalyptus + Ranunculus
In spring, tulips, eucalyptus and ranunculus are easily available and will huddle together beautifully in an arrangement that bursts with color and texture.
Pick tulips in any hue you like. Weave in eucalyptus, which delivers a fresh and minty feeling to the arrangement. Ranunculus always feels elevated and luxe - the more the merrier!
Play with the heights of each stem until you have the balance you crave. Just remember, tulips continue to grow in the vase, so cut them a couple of inches lower than you normally would.
ON LOCATION
Spring Hill Vineyards
Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia introduced Spring Hill Vineyards to the world twenty years ago and it has grown as a destination for contemporary art, nature and award-winning wine. We sat down with Stephanie to learn more about their gorgeous valley vineyard in the Litchfield Hills.
Before it was transformed into a vineyard, the site was a heavily wooded corner of a working farm that dates back to the 1700s.
2 If you’re wondering, the vineyard is up the hill! There are 30 acres to explore with trails throughout. Every bottle produced at Spring Hill is influenced by the unique microclimate and rolling landscape along the Shepaug River.
3 Everything at the vineyard has a backstory. The 65-ft tall silo once towered on the farm’s river’s edge. The wine bar is a vintage Airstream. Even the bathrooms had a previous life. They’re old train cars!
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As much as this is a place for gathering and wine tasting, it’s also a living art gallery. Keep an eye out for sculptures by Nicole
Eisenman, Cybele Rowe, Hank Willis Thomas and others. The silo is an ever-changing art salon. Don’t miss Randy Polumbo’s incredible installation at the top!
5 The sculptural amphitheater by artist Mark Mennin is meticulously crafted from 380 tons of Connecticut pink granite. Another outdoor installation by Mennin, titled “Selva,” is a floating bench inside a cave.
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On June 26-28, Spring Hill Arts Gathering (SHAG) will welcome hundreds of guests for three days of expressive celebrations rooted in art, community and cultural reciprocity. Friday night will feature a collaboration with Pride in the Hills, a program that supports LGBTQIA+ youth in Connecticut. Kids and families: Sunday is tailored for you!
Photo Credit: Valley Vagrant
Photo Courtesy of Spring Hill Vineyards
The Bouquet Bar by Stark Blooms is sponsored by Chubb Fine Art Insurance.
“The HoneyBee”
The Ticking Tent brings its collector’s eye to cloth with a new collaboration with UK-based Colours of Arley, an exclusive printed ticking fabric that feels as spirited as the hunt itself. At its core: the enduring appeal of classic blackand-white ticking, reimagined with a crisp, modern hand. Rooted in Colours of Arley’s made-to-order custom ethos, the ticking stripe balances historic restraint with playful variation.
Designed to move effortlessly from upholstery to table linens and soft furnishings, this textile carries a sense of place, equal parts English utility and New England nostalgia, the collection reflects a shared belief that stripes act as a neutral, grounding a tailored roll-arm sofa, sharpening a lush tablescape, and will also be available as limited edition tote bags. This ticking invites a layered, instinctive approach, where the pleasure of mixing, matching, and living with it all is entirely the point. coloursofarley.com
Alekka Christopher Cawley
Clifton Leonard Antiques Coleville Home
Doyle
France Ici Antiques
French Flair Ferme Gray Antiques
Hoare & Hoare Antiques
Jefferson Hayman
Justin Westbrook Antiques
Kim Faison Antiques
Maison Madeleine
Marta Gualda Artifacts
Matthew Kowles Period to Mod Piggy Kitchen
The Barns by Ali Mahon
Trove Design Studio Upstate Rugs
Withington & Co.
Yew Tree Antiques A Shirt Story Casa Bombón
Fraulein
Visit the Fresh Coat coffee cart and experience the perfect blend of warmth and richness with Benjamin Moore’s coffee-inspired hues. From light lattes to dark espressos, these colors will infuse your projects with sophistication.
Photo Courtesy of Doyle
Photos Courtesy of Colours of Arley
