Article Courtesy of Helen McLaren
Founded by the late Sean McLaren more than 40 years ago, McLaren’s Antiques & Interiors is carrying on his larger-than-life legacy as they celebrate 10 years in Round Top this fall. Round Top’s 20,000 square foot “must-shop” has added a 3,000 square foot expansion (for a total of 23,000 square feet of showroom space) in Sean’s honor.
Coinciding with McLaren’s 10th anniversary Fall Round Top Antique Show, the global importer has unveiled more shopping than ever before in the lower field just steps below their original showroom. With both spaces fuller than ever, McLaren’s has unloaded more containers with their latest finds from around the world.
A trailblazer from an early age, Sean discovered his love of antique furniture when he was just eight years old. Antiquing was in his blood––his parents owned their own business in Shropshire, England and Sean began buying and selling himself at eight. By the time he was 15, his own inventory of antiques surpassed his parents, and he went into business. During his 40+ years in business he owned and operated stores in England, Houston, and Austin for decades before transitioning to selling at America’s two largest antique markets; Round Top, TX and Brimfield, MA. Over the past 10 years, Round Top, TX became McLaren’s global headquarters.
Originating with Sean’s love of travel, architecture, history and furniture, the McLaren family spends their time between shows exploring the world, searching for unique and interesting interiors to offer an enormous variety of antique, industrial, and architectural furnishings from around the globe–––all designed, sourced, and hand-picked by the McLaren family, with Sean’s wife Helen at the helm of it all.
Featuring antique and reclaimed pieces for a highly sought after and sustainable look, their reclaimed-wood tables are unparalleled. English born and bred, Sean utilized his vast wealth of residential and industrial buildings in the UK to save the precious timbers from 150+ year old buildings that are currently being demolished. A visionary, Sean saw the potential of these beautiful reclaimed timbers. Today, McLaren’s is known for their reclaimed kitchen islands and tables (ranging in size from six feet to an awe-inspiring 22 feet)––all handcrafted at the McLaren’s workshop in England to ensure no two pieces are ever the same and the beauty of the patina of the wood shines through. Along with the tables, you’ll find antique French furniture, Spanish wine pots, vintage English chesterfield sofas, Indian architectural pieces, and Italian leather chairs as well as fabulous chandeliers.
McLaren’s is a treasure trove for any shopper. Walking into the massive building (once a laying barn for chickens, which Sean converted himself), each piece holds a story. With pieces ranging in size from delicate English china to colossal antique doors, it’s alluring for designers, shop owners, and architects as well as individuals who are just looking for a little something special to bring home from Texas’ iconic antique market.
McLaren’s is open every day 8:00 a.m.––6:00 p.m., now––October 31. Stop by at 1745 N. State Highway 237 (look for the English telephone boxes). Visit their website mclarensantiquesandinteriors.com and follow them on Instagram @mclarensantiques and Facebook @mclarensinteriors.
