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TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA
Global event planner Michelle Rago has spent her career travelling the world in pursuit of beauty, atmosphere and decorative objects. But in the Delaware River Valley, where she now lives, she enjoys finding inspiration closer to home. Here, Michelle exclusively shares her favourite antiquing haunts across this quietly rich corner of the American Northeast, from river towns and historic homes to farms, studios and hidden treasures.
BY MICHELLE RAGO | CABANA TRAVEL | 21 AUGUST 2026
David Teague's America Designs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
What I love most about the Delaware River Valley is that creativity is quietly embedded into everyday life. Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown, and New Hope all possess their own personalities, yet are connected by winding river roads, antique shops, farms, artists’ studios, and historic homes that have been lovingly preserved and layered over generations.
Hunterdon County, where I live, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque regions in New Jersey. Unbeknown to most, this area is defined by rolling hills, lush farmlands – which make up approximately 41% of the county's total land area – and dense, forested landscapes. Neighboring Bucks County, equally beautiful, is celebrated for its perfect mix of scenic rural vistas, historic colonial architecture, and culturally vibrant river towns. I am endlessly inspired to live here, and no matter the time of year, taking a “ride” (as my grandparents would say) and landing in a quiet pub for cocktails and a bite remains one of my greatest pleasures.
Antique Stores, Flea Markets & Design Resources
Golden Nugget Flea Market, Lambertville, NJ
The Golden Nugget Flea Market is an absolute antique goldmine. Established in 1967, it features more than 30 indoor antique shops and over 200 outdoor dealers. It takes time and patience, but I have found some of my most treasured pieces there, from vintage furniture and artwork to jewelry and my latest obsession: bronzes.
Compromise Lodge, Lambertville, NJ
Tucked inside The People's Store in Lambertville, Compromise Lodge is a menagerie of adornment where the displays are as enchanting as the pieces themselves. Owner Ginger Hall has assembled a wonderful treasure trove of Edwardian rings draped on porcelain swans, enamel butterflies perched on miniature mid-century chairs, and delicate Victorian chains mingling beside disco-era gold and whimsical costume jewelry. Every object feels like part of a tiny theater set. In truth, I almost hate to give up this source.
A Touch of the Past Antiques, Lambertville, NJ
A Touch of the Past is one of my favorite resources for decorative arts, silver, lighting, antiques, and collectibles. With more than thirty professional dealers under one roof, it is the sort of place where you walk in for one thing and leave with an entirely unexpected treasure. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. Recent finds include a pair of royal-blue mid-century elephant garden stools that anchor my front porch, bronze heron and turtle candlesticks, and a tortoise clutch.
America Designs, Bucks County, PA
David Teague's America Designs is one of my great secret resources. You have more than likely encountered his work in restaurants, hotels, films, and interiors spanning New York, Los Angeles, Japan, Rome, and Hawaii. His unusual decorative arts and deeply layered sourcing have made America Designs a favorite among leading designers, hoteliers, and collectors. Visiting his studio feels like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities. It can take some wrangling to nail him down, which is part of his charm. I own several pieces sourced through David, and once he gets to know your taste, he keeps you on his radar.
Delaware Valley House Parts, Bucks County, PA
Run by Reggie Young, Delaware Valley House Parts is rooted in historic preservation and architectural salvage. Reggie has an incredible eye for repurposing architectural fragments, antique mantels, doors, fixtures, and decorative elements from historic homes throughout the Northeast. It is a paradise for anyone obsessed with patina, craftsmanship, and giving beautiful old objects a second life.
I am in the final stages of furnishing my garden and tasked Reggie with helping me find unique pieces. He sourced a pair of gorgeous Scottish 19th-century Gothic cast-iron benches from the Main Line, a wonderful Vermont granite table with matching benches, and another pair of granite benches from a Princeton estate that now anchor my rose garden.
Galleries, Makers & Artisan's Studios
Katherine Hackl Pottery & Tiles, Lambertville, NJ
Katherine Hackl is a true artisan whose pottery and custom tile work embody the handmade spirit of the region. Katherine apprenticed under potter Byron Temple and later worked with Suehiro Oshio in Nara, Japan. Afterward, she completed the apprenticeship program at the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
In 1999, she purchased the Swan Street studio she occupies in Lambertville. Her specialty is custom handmade decorative tile work using techniques and designs that reflect the Arts and Crafts tradition, while drawing inspiration from the natural world. Her work spans porcelain dinnerware, forged iron and ceramic sculpture. To my delight, her studio is just up the road from me and we are collaborating on a custom vase for my dining table.
Michelle Farro, Lambertville, NJ
Michelle Farro's paintings feel like visual diaries. Drawing from old photographs, overlooked objects, and observations from daily life, her work possesses a tenderness and emotional resonance that I find deeply moving. She maintains a dedicated eponymous studio in the heart of Lambertville.
ArtYard, Frenchtown, NJ
ArtYard is an interdisciplinary contemporary arts center comprising exhibition spaces, a theater, and a residency program. It is dedicated to presenting transformative artwork, fostering unexpected collaborations, and incubating original new work.
I recently joined The Sonder Circle, an invitation-only group of curious and creative individuals who serve as informal ambassadors for ArtYard and gather to experience art. Not long ago, I had the privilege of witnessing the incomparable cellist and cultural ambassador Yo-Yo Ma during a residency. Watching a musical legend immersed in creative exploration was truly sensational.
Cheryl Hazan Gallery, New Hope, PA
Several works in my own collection come from Cheryl Hazan. She was a pioneer of the Tribeca gallery scene before relocating to Bucks County after more than 25 years in New York. She specializes in contemporary and emerging artists, and her eye is impeccable. Cheryl introduced me to artists like Mabel Poblet and Erika Harrsch, as well as a glorious piece titled Roman Holiday by Karina Gentinetta that I wake up to every day.
Museums & Cultural Institutions
Rago/Wright Auction House, Lambertville, NJ
Rago/Wright Auctions specializes in 20th-century design, postwar fine art, and pop culture. It has become one of the country's leading auction houses and an essential destination for collectors and designers alike.
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ
The Princeton University Art Museum remains one of the region's most important cultural institutions. Its collection spans centuries and continents, and I always leave feeling visually recharged and inspired.
Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA
The Michener Art Museum has a wonderful intimacy to it. I especially appreciate the way it celebrates Pennsylvania Impressionism and regional artistic traditions while still feeling fresh and contemporary.
Entertaining & Sourcing Inspiration
One of the great joys of living in this region is sourcing for entertaining. Flowers often come from roadside farms and seasonal stands such as Manoff Market Gardens & Cidery, where endless rows of fruit trees and blooms make even grocery shopping feel cinematic.
For antique silver, barware, linens, and decorative objects, I constantly return to the Golden Nugget Flea Market, Compromise Lodge, and A Touch of the Past (all listed above). I love mixing inherited pieces with flea market finds: delicate crystal beside rustic ceramics and old hotel silver beside handmade pottery.
For ceramics and handmade objects, I am drawn to makers like Katherine Hackl, whose work carries the warmth and irregularity that only true craftsmanship can provide. Delaware Valley House Parts is another favorite when sourcing architectural fragments, antique mantels, and salvaged details that instantly give a home soul and history.
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