Monday, October 31, 2011

Lions, and Tigers and Gargoyles OH MY!

Have you ever wondered why so many beautiful buildings are adorned by some mighty scary looking creatures?  I have a thing for architecture and could spend a whole day just looking at the outside of this home.    Any guesses who lived here?  Yes, it was one family with one child!










The term originates from the French gargouille, which in English literally means "throat" or otherwise known as the "gullet";[2] cf. Latin gurgulio, gula, gargula ("gullet" or "throat") and similar words derived from the root gar, "to swallow", which represented the gurgling sound of water (e.g., Spanish garganta, "throat"; Spanish gárgola, "gargoyle"). It is also connected to the French verb gargariser, which means "to gargle."[3] The Italian word for gargoyle is doccione or gronda sporgente, an architecturally precise phrase which means "protruding gutter." The Germanword for gargoyle is Wasserspeier, which means "water spewer." The Dutch word for gargoyle is waterspuwer, which means "water spitter" or "water vomiter." A building that has gargoyles on it is "gargoyled."
grotesque figure, also known as gargoyle is a sculpture that does not work as a waterspout and serves only an ornamental or artistic function,[2] although the field of architecture usually preserves the distinction between gargoyles (functional waterspouts) and non-waterspout grotesques.
Gargoyles are said to scare off and protect from any evil or harmful spirits.
May the gargoyles be with you on this halloween!

[edit]
Happy Halloween from junk evolution!

Friday, October 28, 2011

junk evolution goes to the Bank!



One of our favorite regulars works at the Old National Bank in the Eddy Street Commons and invited us to be the Business of the Month.  So we got busy pulling things for our favorite holiday "Thanksgiving".    If you happen to be in the neighborhood stop by and say hello to Pam.
We had Bernie add one more coat of white to the dry sink to French it
it up a bit.



Thank you Pam!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

junk evolution goes to college

Remember this guy?

Myles Robertson
 Myles is studying sustainability at IUSB and lives in the new housing on campus.  He was also hired by the school to try and make it  greener.  Myles came up with a great idea for junk evolution and put us up to the challenge of revamping his room to make it more functional.   He's also inviting his classmates and the school newspaper, and the South Bend Tribune in to spread the word about junk evolution.


This is what we started with (the rooms are furnished with your basic bed, desk and dresser).
desk

dresser

bed
 So this is what we did....

 Bernie made a hall tree from a tree for our favorite tree hugger,  Linda added castors to the bottom of the crates for under the bed storage, and Char made him a comforter quilt using his old favorite t'shirts.
 The headboard was constructed from castoffs and is a functional memo board. With the tall ceilings and boring cream walls we needed to add some height.   One of Myles favorite activities is Ultimate Frisbee so Bernie made him a clock, and the lamp is fashioned from dictionary's and the table is a album titled "Around the World in 80 days".  (Myles loves to travel).
 On the top of his desk we added some plants (he's also a gardener) and some rocks fashioned into picture holders....more elements from nature.
The mirror is embellished with squares cut from colorful pop cans.
The pillow is made from a sweater.


Myles made the comment that most of the students just run to their favorite big box store and buy all the items (probably made in another country).  So the rooms all end up kind of looking the same.  We really wanted to made a statement about Myles and incorporated elements that he enjoys.


So as you can see, it doesn't take that much to really personalize the space....just some castoffs and a vivid imagination!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Class time!

Hiromi will be teaching a class on how to make this ring 
Tuesday November 8th
6:00 pm -7ish
Cost $20.00
additional kits will be available to those that take the class.

Pre-registration is a must!  Class size is limited.



With the economy as it is, homemade gifts are a great way to accomplish a heartfelt gift.  Check out our list of other classes under our events tab.  

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Orange

Persimmon, tangerine, salmon, bittersweet, pumpkin....anyway you look at it this bold and spicy color has become the hottest color in the design world and we've got lots of it, in all it's retro glory!






Orange, a close relative of red, sparks more controversy than any other hue. There is usually strong positive or negative association to orange and true orange generally elicits a stronger "love it" or "hate it" response than other colors. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy.

Interestingly, some tones of orange, such as terra cotta, peach, and rust have very broad appeal.

HOW THE COLOR ORANGE AFFECTS US PHYSICALLY

  • Stimulates activity
  • Stimulates appetite
  • Encourages socialization

"Orange is the happiest color"   Frank Sinatra

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Road Less Traveled...

Autumn in Northern Indiana, it's right up there with the best beaches, and most majestic mountain range,  and I should know having lived in some pretty fantastic places.  The seasons ( and family) are what brought me back home again.

    This time of the year we take the time to enjoy what little color and sunshine is left to us with longer rides in the car, or maybe a trip to find the best tastes of the season in the apple orchards, and winery's.  It feels good to put on our flannel shirts and wool jackets and planning a fun weekend of leisure.

I've always been a back roads kinda girl and always take the longer route home just for a glimpse of certain things that just kind of "do it for me".  That feeling of awe,  it keeps us coming back time and time again.  I'm a simple person, it really doesn't take much.  Here are a few of my favorite things.

Along the Saint Joe river on Wayne Street,  ND teams practice in the spring and fall.

I first saw this house when I was 18 and have been madly in love ever since.

Frank Lloyd Wright house


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.



I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- 
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

My hope for you is that you do the same.  Have a great Sunday.
xo
Char

Thursday, October 13, 2011

As the crow flys




Wouldn't you love to know how to make these?  Learn how on
November 22, Check the events for more information.
Christine's new line of embellishments for YOU!

It's a great time to start shopping for the holidays.


No man can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.   _JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

October newbys

OR
ANGE
YOUGLA
DITSA
UTUMN?

We sure are!  It's always fun to see the store transformed and to see what our customers are drawn to.  So here's a few of the new things this month.


once a blond, retro desk (I love the curves!)


from the phcodelic period?

music cabinet turned....

wine bar

album cabinet

drop leaf table in new fun colors, and accent chairs.  Lots of
bittersweet wreaths and swags!


Our freshly painted accent wall.

Original Artwork 

small shelf accented with Orange

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Special Guests

We had a house full of fun last night for First Friday and some very special guests to share it with.  First and foremost my talented sis and her new line of jewelry.


Christine Tirotta
A dear heart Kim Cole, who read palms into the dark hours of the night with a flashlight!  The line never died, so we never had time to get ours read!

and Ivan who rocked our night with music.  He's the coolest 11 year old we know!


We wrapped up the night with Mona who pales in comparison but hopefully brings a smile to the passerby's :)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Home staging

Linda and I were asked to stage a beautiful home in South Bend on Wilber street that will be going on the market very soon.   For more information on the home contact Tim at 574-310-1123 or email tim@winderquist.com
For more information on Home Staging contact us.



BEFORE  junk evolution
AFTER 






BEFORE
AFTER



BEFORE
AFTER

DINING ROOM

BEDROOM

THE DRESSING AREA OF THE BATHROOM