Junkmarket Style and Giveaway!

My style is very eclectic. However, every year, as I venture more and more into interior design (my chosen career) I find myself becoming bored with a lot of what is out in the market. It’s not that there aren’t wonderful products on the market, but I guess the delivery or the way that some spaces are put together are just… well, boring or have been done a thousand times before.

Recently I came across a book that had been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years (unbeknownst to me) called Decorating Junkmarket Style. I was so smitten that after gazing at the creative projects and spaces for hours, I had to contact one of the authors, Sue Whitney, co-creator of Junkmarket Style.

Decorating Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books – Publisher

The very talented and beautiful Sue Whitney. Isn’t she adorable!?

Sue is designer extraordinaire, flea market whiz, creative junk genius, co-author and designer of several books, including Decorating Junkmarket Style, Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style, and Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition, magazine columnist, television personality (The Today Show, HGTV) and most importantly, a mother.

From Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press – Publisher

The style of the rooms throughout her books are not junky at all, but rather edgy and fashionable. Sometimes hip and urban, sometimes romantic and flowing, but always with a quirky, unique piece or two.

I was truly curious as to how Sue came into this whole junk market business and she very graciously answered some questions for me (and you!). But, before you go on…. I’ll direct you to information about Sue that is already on her website…here.

With permission from The Taunton Press, I was graciously given the go-ahead to share with you some of the photos from Sue and Ki’s second book, Junk Beautiful, Room By Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style, which was published in 2008.

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press – Publisher

H&H: How old were you when you first started going to flea markets and garage sales?

SW: I am the baby of six kids so hand-me-downs, garage sale Saturdays and thrift store shopping were all a big part of my youth from the get go. I was taught to be creative with second-hand goods from as early as I can remember. This type of upbringing allowed me to be free-spirited, open-minded and downright playful. If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. My affair with the flea market started in college. Like most, I was a poor college student but still wanted to live with style. Flea markets provided an affordable alternative to retail stores and far more freedom to be me!

From Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition

Sue Whitney – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press - Publisher

H&H: What did you want to be when you grew up?

SW: The only thing I wanted to be for sure was a mom, but other than that the doors were wide open. I think sometimes young people lock themselves into a career path far too early closing doors and windows to the big, wide world of options and opportunities. That was not the case for me. Variety is indeed the spice of life! I did many different things before devoting my complete career attention to the JUNKMARKET at the age of 40.

From Junkmarket Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press - Publisher

H&H: How does what you do now speak to that?

SW: As you can guess by now, I would be a fish out of water if I had chosen a more conventional career path. Junkmarket and Junkmarket Style allow me the freedom to follow my passion and to be flexible enough to arise to the challenges of an ever changing world. I believe that if you follow your passion, you have a much better chance at success. You can always expect a few bumps in the road, but both success and failure teach you valuable lessons.

From Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press – Publisher

H&H: Are you married? And does your husband help you with your business or does he let you “do your thing”?

SW: This question always brings a smile. I am a single mom and have been for almost nine years so he doesn’t help out much! TeHe!

From Junkmarket Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press – Publisher

H&H: Do you shop better with a friend to bounce ideas off of, or on your own?

SW: I like to do both. Junking is really a team sport so shopping with friends and family is always fun. I tend to spend most of my shopping days with friends, but I’ve been known to wander off and get lost in my own little world!

This is one of my favorite pages from Sue’s first book, Decorating Junkmarket Style, that led me to contact her. I love the old theater seating lights that she incorporated into this hallway. Ingenious, creative and original.

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books – Publisher

H&H: When did you know that you had something special going on?

SW: Right from the start! I knew that I wasn’t alone in the world because the flea markets, garage sales, and junk yards I frequented were very busy places. I did notice however, that there was no one really taking a leadership role in the junking world to address the needs of the many junkers. I was more than happy to try and help out!

From Decorating Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books – Publisher

H&H: What inspires you? How do ideas come to you?

SW: First of all, I find beauty in just about everything. If a cast-off doesn’t seem attractive or useful at first blush, I look at it from every angle and the beauty eventually appears. Bringing something left for dead back to life is music to my ears! The most inspirational place for me is inside the four walls of my home. I am surrounded by junk that has been transformed as well as cool stuff in the rough that is displayed in its found condition. Just taking it all in is very inspiring. As for the ideas, they just kind of flow like a river. I really don’t know how else to explain it!

And this photo took me over the edge folks! Sue fashioned an old screen door into a shower door and transom! If this is not the cat’s meow, then I don’t know what is!

From Decorating Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books - Publisher

H&H: What part of your work gives you complete satisfaction?

SW: Inspiring other people is what brings me the most joy.

Another one of my favorites is this old drawer front that was turned into quite a unique candle holder. Check out that coffee table!

From Decorating Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books - Publisher

Quick answer

Favorite color? JUNKMARKET green!

Favorite home accessory? Scales, scales, and more scales. They are beautiful, functional, and they lend balance to my life.

Best creation? The shower enclosure crafted from vintage screen doors found in my master bathroom.

Worst creation? My daughter would tell you it is the dog kennel door I used as her bathroom door. I guess I would have to agree. It looks cool, but it’s not high on the privacy meter. I’ve added fabric panels to it now that lend a little softness and at least a sense of seclusion. Ha!

H&H: What’s next for you?

SW: Only time will tell, I guess! First and foremost, my daughter is a senior this year and I want to make sure that this special year will be a memorable and happy one for her. As far as work goes, there are many options available so it will be about selecting top priorities and addressing them one by one. Junkmarket Style, the online community has and will continue to be my number one priority. The sense of family that has exists between the members on the site, I truly believe, is second to none. The contributors and members are talented, creative, thoughtful, kind, encouraging, helpful, and supportive. What more could a girl want?! I would like to author more books, host a television show, create an online magazine, and continue to make personal appearances. The opportunity to meet junkers from all over the country is near and dear to my heart. I guess what I am trying to say is that I would like to establish a full meal deal platform that address the needs and wants of all junkers under one umbrella.

From Decorating Junkmarket Style

Sue Whitney and Ki Nassauer – Authors, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, Meredith Books - Publisher

AND NOW….. for the best part! Sue has GRACIOUSLY agreed to give away her latest book, Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition, to one lucky reader!

Sue Whitney – Author, Douglas E. Smith – Photographer, The Taunton Press – Publisher

Here is what you do… Just visit Junkmarket Style, Sue’s website, and register! Then, come back here and leave me a note with your user name! From all those that register, I will randomly choose a winner for this lovely book! (Please make sure I have your email address if you don’t have a blog for me to link back to!)

Unfortunately, the contest is limited to U.S. applicants only….sorry!

Winner will be drawn on Tuesday, August 25th (one week from now)!

Thank you SUE! It’s truly been a delight getting to know you, getting much more familiar with your books and sharing with all those in blogland the incredible pieces and spaces that you create!

If you have any questions for Sue, she can be reached at junkmarket@qwestoffice.net.

Now go to Junkmarket Style, register, browse around and then come back here to enter! Can’t wait to see who wins! And I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Sue’s creations!