Junk Gypsy Quotes

“When you put in a little sweat equity, it makes the work all the sweeter.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Grit. It’s part of who we are. Who we are meant to be. How we were raised. One of the most important things we were taught was how to work. When you do something yourself, with your own two hands, the intrinsic value increases exponentially. It is one of the core principles in the JG Mantra of DIY: Your pride in the end result is directly proportional to the amount of work and dedication you put into the project. We were taught the value of down-and-dirty, sweat-on-your-brow, muscles-achin’, backbreakin’, baby-needs-a-new-pair-of-shoes physical labor. It’s a little thing called “sweat equity.” Elbow grease. Good old-fashioned “get in there and get it done.” And thank goodness, because now we’re more intimidated by long lines at the shopping mall than we are by our JG job requirements.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Grit doesn’t happen when things are good. Grit happens when we’re tested. When Elvis is dead, and things are bleak at best, because you’re out of work, you have two toddlers, and you just spent a precious twenty bucks on something not vitally necessary.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“We love the unexpected, the gloriously chaotic combination of a million different elements. We love things that have history. We’re not looking for perfection. If we love something, we will find a way to make it fit. We love rock ’n’ roll style as well as farmhouse. We love boho and hippie and country. The truth is, we’re a little of all those things combined. You could say we have commitment issues. We love color, but we also love white. We love vintage concert posters mixed with red-lacquered Asian pieces, then combined with chippy, peely farmhouse furniture and maybe topped off with fringed velvet curtains. For us, the design process is a gut-wrenchingly beautiful thing, a deeply meditative process, a cultural exploration of who you are, and it’s one of the most personal things you can do. If a home is set up the right way, there’s something you can feel, and it’s not for anyone else; it’s for yourself. All the stars (or the chandeliers) align, and you just know: It’s right.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Our philosophy is that home decor shouldn’t be taken too seriously, because we want our homes to reflect who we are, no one else. We want things to be fun and interesting, but we want things we can really live with and around. We want a place where you can use Play-Doh or prop up crusty old cowboy boots on the coffee table. We’re not afraid of candle drippings or drink rings. We believe all these things help our homes tell a tale of love and family. A tale of history and future. A tale of the American experience. Our homes spin the story we want to live in every day. We firmly believe your home should be your sanctuary, where you surround yourself with every sensible and nonsensible thing you love, a place that speaks of where you’ve been and where you’re going. Make no mistake: Our homes are far from perfect! Just beyond the frame of every camera angle is a pile of dirty clothes, three half-unpacked suitcases, and a room still waiting to be decorated. Because that, my friends, is real. C’mon in anyway and stay awhile. Our hope is that you’ll find an idea—a project, a picture, a spark of divine fire—that will inspire you. Because just like the wild woods or the glorious road, like fingerprints or feathers, your home is unique—and it should be uniquely you.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Home is where your mom is.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Amie’s mind is like a glittery tumbleweed: It sometimes touches ground, but usually it spins along a few feet in the air.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“To us, a party is more about the electric energy of the event. It’s about the ease of the moment. It’s about creating an environment that lets the guests feel less like guests and more like kindred spirits. It’s about less effort and more comfort. And sometimes all it takes is an old record player and your favorite vinyls to release the inner party animal.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“When you enter the hallowed halls at the House of Blues, you see a placard that says, “Take with you a piece of our soul, leave with us a piece of your heart.” We hope the same for anyone who walks through our doors.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“Long ago, we learned to listen to our gypsy souls, because when we do, inspiration comes on strong.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander

“THROW OFF THE BOWLINES. SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR. CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.”
― Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander