Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style [Paperback]

Sue Whitney (Author), Ki Nassauer (Author), Douglas E Smith (Photographer)

Book Description

Release date: March 25, 2008

One person's trash is another's treasure. That's a fact of life that the Junkmarket gals know only too well. Through their annual Minneapolis fleamarket, The Junk Bonanza, web site junkmarketstyle.com, and tireless touring, Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer have helped countless devotees transform junk into one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories. Working their magic on every room of the house--from kitchen to home office--they present conversational case studies that introduce the clients and explore their needs. With characteristic humor in tow, they take readers through each renovation adventure, from shopping for recycled materials to the actual construction projects. The gals also include complete materials lists, plus paint chips and fabric swatches, so that everything can be recreated down to the last delicious detail.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Assembled by the masters of junk, this visual, how-to book is overflowing with ideas that are fresh, original and fun! If you are tired of living in a cookie-cutter home that looks like a page from a catalog, then this book is definitely for you." -Danny Seo, author of the "Simply Green" series
"In today's desposable world it's refreshing to see the ingenuity and creativity illustrated by Junk Beautiful, where ordinary, mundance or seemingly hopeless items are transformed into fabulously functional repurposed pieces. This book is a must-have for all garage sale, flea market, thrift store junkies!" Tim Luke of HGTV's "Cash In the Attic"
"There are some people who can take garbage and turn it into a beautiful work of art or piece of furniture; the Junkmarket Gals are that type of people. In their new book, "Junk Beautiful ($21.95, Taunton Press), authors Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer provide a guide for how they do it. The book offers tips, step-by-step instructions, photos and illustrations to keep you on track." --The Austin American-Statesman
"Junk Beautiful," by Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer (The Taunton Press, $21.95), has some attractive tricks. Probably the most famous junkers in America, the two founded JUNKMARKET, a retail business, and www.junkmarketstyle.com. They are contributing editors for Country Home magazine. Whitney gives several tips for how to avoid bringing home the whole junkyard when you are looking for junk. You should keep a list of what you need, then only buy junk that can be adapted to the cause. Wait for the right piece of junk; don't buy something you don't love just to fill a space. But the oneunforgettable tip on that list: Architectural remnants are like handbags. You can never have too many." --Daily Herald, Chicago
"One person's junk is Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer's treasure. The two flea-market enthusiasts founded Junkmarket, a Minnesota company that specializes in finding new uses for quirky old castoffs. They're contributing editors to Country Home magazine and frequent TV guests, and now they're sharing ideas in their new book, Junk Beautiful. The book focuses on rooms the two have made over using recycled trash. In their inventive hands, a steering wheel becomes a lazy Susan, tambourines double as snack holders and old hand drills become hooks for a coat rack. Their refurbished finds all have a vintage feel, but Whitney and Nassauer make them work in all sorts of home styles. nstructions are included for a selection of the projects, so you can try your hand at cast-off creativity, too." --Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

"Detailed before-and-after color photos document how to restyle rooms with inexpensive recycled objects; a chicken feeder retooled as a seasonings shelf, a beat-up kitchen island that gets new life as an arts and crafts table and an old flour mill cart that becomes a coffee table. (The book also includes the paint colors used on walls, trim and furniture in the rooms. Nice touch.) Some of the authors' off-the-wall decorating tricks may not be your style -- say, a collection of whisk brooms as window treatment. But the dynamic duo (who are contributing editors to Country Home magazine, regularly appear on TV and run www.junkmarketstyle.com) seem to have bottomless talent for repurposing junk." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

About the Author

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer are founders and chief purveyors of the Junkmarket, a retail and online destination for repurposed furniture and home accessories. Their many devotees find them at the Junkmarket in Minneapolis; on the national Home and Garden show circuit year round; and as contributing editors to Country Home magazine, where they have a monthly column and appear frequently on HGTV's "Country Home" show. They have been guests twice on "The Today Show." Sue and Ki live in Minneapolis, Minn

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561589810
• ISBN-13: 978-1561589814
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.5 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I WANTED to love it as much as the first one, but ... April 24, 2008

By Miss Terri Ford, the Glory of the Continent

Format:Paperback

The bulk of the book is structured in a much more mainstream way, showing some kinda suburbian translations of their look. Yes, I do understand that salvaged, re-viewed materials can have a place in ANY home ... but I miss the funkifying DIY of both the magazine and the first book. There is SOME of that here, but for my taste, nowhere near enough. I LOVED the early zany repurposing, the ways of recycling that were, ok, green (the Junk Ladies were green when green wasn't cool), sure -- but just amazingly creative. Uh, using old stock girdles for a curtain valance, with the garter tab for clipping the drapes below?! The bird-cage office organizer? The roller-skate vase? Hel-LO, Genius! I still love them and wholly endorse what they do. But I have to say, the book did disappoint me a bit. Don't BLEND, ladies! Please!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Some Junk In the Trunk or How To Be A Junk Rocker August 19, 2008

By John P. Morgan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Sometimes I look back on my childhood and wondered how I even survived. The home I lived in was not very "kid friendly". It was like living in the Smithsonian. Crazy silk flowers, couches covered in plastic, doilies under everything -including doilies under doilies, expensive prints of famous paintings in expensive frames. Everything had to be "just so".

It sucked.

When it was time for me to move out, I knew I needed to furnish my new place but I didn't exactly have a lot of money to spend on new things. Besides, I didn't want new things. I didn't want my place to look like it came straight from the pages of Ikea. I wanted my place to be unique, inviting, and completely comfortable.

So, I began scouring the garage sales, the flea markets, the night before trash day in nice neighborhoods - you would not believe what you can find sitting out there on the curb and I took all of this stuff in and began to sand, primer, and paint. I sawed, I hammered, I drilled. I washed, I sewed, I stapled. I was like Martha Stewart on steroids. And the end result was a home that felt like a home.

This book really puts things in perspective. It shows how with a little ingenuinuity and some creative imagination you can create living spaces that are filled to overflowing with charm, love, and individuality.

My sister-in-law gets a new living room set about every two years. It's always expensive and she always has to brag about how much she paid for everything. Actually, she didn't pay for any of it, her husband did...and probably still does...but despite the heavy duty price tag, her home doesn't feel like a home. It feels cold, impersonal, unhappy.... Sometimes, on the drive home my wife starts to complain about her home and how she wished she had $65,000 and she'd re-decorate the whole house. But then we come home and she sees the authentic Chinese mohagany altar table we found in a dumpster and converted into a coffee table, the wingback chair that we got for $12 at a garage sale and pinned a very nice tapestry from India on it, the rug that was originally selling for $450 but we ended up getting for $195 because the person that ordered it never showed up and one of my favorites, the six framed, multi-colored window that came from an old house and we just took the glass out and installed a mirror in the back, and she breaks out in a smile and says, "This may all be junk, but it's my junk..."

This book really shows you that we really don't need that much to be happy and the great thing about "junk" furniture that if something does happen to it, it's not a huge loss unlike the Victorian chair in my dad's study. Apparently, "some thoughtless moron" sat in that chair while eating chocolate and wiped their hands all over it, creating permanent stains.

Boo-hoo, dad.

(I'm not even sorry.)

So get this book and start being a little more creative, a little more inspired, and a lot more happy. And just like the things I've found over the years, this book is indeed a treasure.

Peace and Blessings,
john, 'the Light Coach' Read more ›

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Junk Beautiful" truly is! March 30, 2008

By G.Terrell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having just recieved my copy of Junk Beautiful, I can tell you that I am completely amazed at the creativity and talent that went into this book. It is informative and inspiring, with directions for fabulous projects that make even the beginning do-it-yourself junker feel confident in their abilities. Top that off with beautiful photography, incredible details, and a witty, upbeat text and you have the makings of a best seller! I am motivated to try my hand at some of the projects already and will keep it close at hand for future reference and creative ideas. One of my faves of all times!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book April 19, 2008

By D. Cooper

Format:Paperback

This is truly a fabulous book. The ideas are not only unique and innovative, but practical as well. When we must all strive to make this planet more green, what could benefit all of us more than the re-use of "junk" as beautifully displayed in this book. Besides the wonderful ideas, the photography is gorgeous, making it easy to spend several hours just browsing through the book. If one is looking for a great gift for that special person, this is the book to fill the bill. Thanks, Sue and Ki,and photographer Douglas Smith, for an exciting and creative book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Junk Beautiful March 31, 2008

By Susan W. Fuller

Format:Paperback

I spent several hours being totally engrossed by this fabulous book. The projects are so unique and seem to be easy for all, not just clever do-it-yourselfers. This book is overflowing with wonderful ideas,which I can't wait to apply to my own home. I thought the photography was exceptional, a really beautiful work of art all on its own.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super book, I use it for staging January 7, 2010

By sherrysshabbies

Format:Paperback

I use this book for staging vintage homes. I specialize in shabby chic items.
Wonderful ideas for repoursing items!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Junk Beautiful September 14, 2009

By Kittie Aldakkour

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really like the creativity that Sue and Ki have when coming up with uses for junk and design for rooms. They are an awesome team. I wish they would come to my house and use their magic on all my junk. This book seemed to have more "industrial" junk than what I usually see available. Old hospital gurneys seem to be a dime a dozen where these gals live. I have never seen one for sale anywhere, and I have shopped a lot. I hope they keep making books.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Junk May 24, 2008

By Kristen K. Bedard

Format:Paperback

This is a fabulous book. It gave me all kinds of inspiration for decorating my home and for using creative displays for my retail store.