EDMONDS — Applying the maxim that everything has its place, most of us would relegate a rusted-out crib-mattress innerspring to the garbage dump.
But to the ladies of The Salvage Studio, that same mass of past-its-prime(r) metal, fitted with chain hangers and candles, holds the promise of a glam chandelier and surefire conversation-starter among dinner guests.
Seeing the ordinary in extraordinary ways is not only a gift but the cornerstone of a bustling business for Amy Duncan, 49, of Everett; Beth Evans-Ramos, 54, of Mill Creek; and Lisa Hilderbrand, 43, of Lynnwood.
Beth and Lisa met at a garden club; Beth and Amy “picked up each other,” as they put it, at an estate sale.
Sharing a “lust for rust” and passion for transforming “good junk” into fun and functional decor, they “‘dated’ for a while and decided to put a roof over” their blossoming business, explained Beth.
The result was The Salvage Sisters, a studio in Lynnwood that opened about 15 months ago. Eventually renamed The Salvage Studio, the shop was relocated in June to — fittingly — a sightly down-at-the-heels strip mall on Edmonds Way.
“We’re just inventing our own … retail heaven,” observed Beth, who also Garden Graces, a garden-design firm. “We’ve struck a chord,” she continued, with an “approachable and affordable” twist to designing home decor. They sell stuff (“$2 goes a long way here,” Lisa noted), encourage browsers, offer classes and serve as a clubhouse for what they say is a big community of like-minded crafters in this area.
Thanks to some high praise from the local press and national magazines such as Sunset, the three look to be on the brink of a book deal and possibly a TV gig.
A large thrift-store chain contracted with them to develop ideas for turning items commonly found on their shelves into objets ‘d art. They also are in demand as show ‘n tell public speakers.
Their mission, they declare, is to help tap the creativity inside every person. “Everyone feels successful here,” insisted Evans-Ramos, referring to the cement-floor studio that holds a revolving-door collection of vintage bric-a-brac, ephemera like original card-catalog entries from the University of Iowa library and furniture that might not be useable but has legs or springs that are.
The trio does not sell stuff as much as they provide inspiration. “We’re really happy if they (browsers) just get some ideas here,” Beth said.
All three said they are ardent recyclers and environmentalists who hate to throw out just about anything.
Their finds comes from donations, estate and garage sales, uncommon sources located via the Internet and the “rust piles” they continually feed in their backyards.
“We try to have original stuff … not the stuff that’s made in China,” said Amy, a paper artist whose other business is Four Corners Design. “We want the real beat up tin cans,” added Lisa, a garden designer.
Due to the busy lives of the three owners — all of whom are married or have a partner — The Salvage Studio is open only on Saturdays. Their clientele range from teenagers to senior citizens, and the wealthy to those with more imagination than money.
Still thinking you’re the exception to the “everyone is creative” school of thought? Consider these high-impact but ridiculously easy ideas courtesy of The Salvage Studio:
• Tuck a photo inside a clean canning jar, allowing the photo to be suspended by its contact with the jar sides. Up-end the jar over a vintage coaster or terra cotta plant saucer and line several up on the fireplace mantel (use stacks of books to vary the height) for an eye-catching photo gallery.
• Clip the jacket of a favorite LP record into a wood-and-metal pants hanger to create the world’s fastest and easiest wall decor for a dorm or rec room.
• Screw well-used forks and spoons to wooden cabinet fronts to perk up your kitchen for very little dough.
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