My name is BJ and I am the sole owner and creator here at Junk'd Up. I am a native New Yorker having been born and raised on the south shore of Long Island. I spent 10 years in NYC as a twenty-something working in various fields such as aviation (international flight attendant), publishing (writing legal contracts) and retail (buyer for Macy's). After doing a three year stint just outside Washington, DC, our family moved to Indiana. It was a homecoming of sorts as my husband and I both attended college in the state, albeit different schools. 
Through it all I have always nurtured my creative side. I dabbled in furniture painting out of necessity first as a poor college grad trying to make it in NYC and then as a new mom with a growing family and a shrinking budget. 
As my kids grew and I found a little free time I spent more time and energy on painting furniture.  A neighbor asked me to attend a Chalk Paint Essentials class at our local Annie Sloan stockist and a whole new world opened for me. I discovered all those looks I was trying to achieve with latex paint were so much easier with Chalk Paint. I started painting pieces for my own home and before long, friends and family started asking to purchase my work. 
Being an overachiever and indulging my love of learning, I set out to master some skills. I have taught myself to make minor repairs and build some small and simple furniture. I have experimented with lots of paint lines and products. I have also taught myself simple upholstery. 
Having been a French major in college and spending a fair amount of time in Paris, I am drawn to timeworn, vintage finishes. I love a layered paint look which hints at a piece of furniture having lived an authentic life. I love rusty, chippy, imperfect surfaces with lots of patina and personality.
I'm drawn to blues and greens and colors of the sea which remind me of growing up so close to the ocean and happy times spent with friends and family at the beach. 
When I'm not "momming" my two kids (teen and tween), and not walking my Rottweiler I am usually painting. I love to mentor and love to answer questions. Let me know what I can do for you.