Posts by Nicole Curcio (page 2)
Greetings from the (messy) desk of Rejuvenation’s master multi-tasker! If you’ve ever seen one of our products on TV, in a magazine or online, chances are I had a little something to do with getting it there. If you’ve attended one of our in-store events here in Portland or Seattle, I was the person working behind the scenes to find the right speaker, make sure you received your invitation, AND had some tasty hors d’oeuvres and wine during your visit. Perhaps, we’ve exchanged commentary on Facebook or Twitter over the last couple of years?
My latest task is figuring out all of the marketing that goes into opening a new store in 2011, but you’ll learn more about that later. I’m an ideas person and I have a really fun and exciting job here, as I try to make all of those ideas into reality. Interacting with all the great people I meet through work is the best part of my job, so thanks to you all for that!
My background is in retail and fine arts. I started at one of our competitors as holiday help in college and over the course of six years held every job from gift wrapper to store manager and everything in between, before I left my hometown in Connecticut and headed for Portland, OR. I wandered into Rejuvenation’s showroom shortly after my arrival and the rest, as they say, is history!
When I’m not working, I can be found in my pottery studio, home painting or running (quite literally) around Portland with my Aussie pup, Basil (who can also be found under my desk from time to time). While I’m no expert on history or antique lighting like some of my cohorts, I can certainly connect you with the right resources and people to provide ideas and inspiration to get the job done. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
You can find me on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/rejuvenationlightingandhouseparts, via email: ncurcio@rejuvenation.com or right here.
Two truths and one lie about me:
- I once owned a home built in 1900 for the factory workers of an old fire hose factory.
- I’m somewhat accident prone. I’ve broken my right wrist once, my left wrist four times, a collar bone and a finger.
- I am horribly allergic to cats.
At Rejuvenation, we’ve always believed that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Our employees certainly prove this adage—and not just when they’re at work. In the coming months, we’ll be featuring some of the surprising and inspiring projects that are their own labors of love.
The following is from Wes Connor, one of our Engineering Project Leaders.
During my freshman year of high school, I was doing martial arts competitively. I decided I wanted to add some muscle and get a bit stronger, so I joined the local YMCA. Long story short, I ended up absolutely loving training. Working out grew from a fun hobby to a serious hobby to an interest in bodybuilding to a lifestyle that now I couldn’t imagine being without.
For me, bodybuilding is an outlet for my competitive and athletic energy. There’s the individual challenge of adding muscle and changing your physique, the discipline of dieting, and the constant pursuit of short- and long-term goals. Then there’s also the competitive side of getting in the zone to prepare for a show—even though you’re really just competing against yourself.
Wes doing a leg workout
Preparing for a show has both physical and mental components. Physically, my calories are restricted, I’m doing cardio, training faster, and paying very close attention to the mirror and the scale. Mentally, it’s a constant battle against cravings and low energy throughout the day. Imagine how you feel after a long workday: You’re exhausted. You’re hungry. You don’t want to do anything but lay on the couch and eat potato chips. Imagine that…but on top of it you’re doing cardio, working out as hard as possible, and eating bland food. And it lasts for 12 weeks! Welcome to competitive bodybuilding. I love it.
Our friend Joanne Palmisano has been a busy lady! We’re so excited that she’ll be visiting our Portland flagship store on May 9th to talk about her passion for salvage and design. Keep reading to learn what she’s been up to lately.
I wake up in the morning thinking about salvage projects and go to bed at night thinking about salvage projects. I worked all last week filming, designing, and building for DIY Network. Then when I got home, what did I do? Work on a DIY project with a great friend. That’s right, I’m addicted.
Joanne on camera for the DIY Network
"Measure twice, cut once" always applies
Because I was able to turn my passion into my career, I consider myself a lucky gal. From the moment my book, Salvage Secrets, released in September to today, filming an online series for DIY Network and preparing for my second book, I have not taken a moment for granted. I’m thrilled at all the amazing people I have met along the way: homeowners who are passionate about salvage, designers who love to incorporate it, folks at retail stores who sell it (thanks Rejuvenation!), and builders who work with it. Reclaimed materials have become more and more accessible thanks to all these great people.
I’m looking forward to coming to Rejuvenation’s Portland, Oregon store on Wednesday, May 9th. I’ll show pictures of amazing homes that have incorporated salvage in some really fun and unusual ways, and share a peek at a few of my projects for DIY Network. I’ll also be scouting homes for my next book, Salvage Secrets, Reclaimed Design and Decor. If you’ve completed any home projects using salvage that you’re excited about, bring some photos to the event, as I’d love to see them!
——
Joanne Palmisano is author of Salvage Secrets, designer for DIY Network and their new online series (live in May), stylist for This Old House Magazine, and guest blogger for Houzz.com, Rejuvenation, Goodwill, and the Daily Basics. She also has her own blog, salvagesecretsblog.com. Joanne is in the process of writing her second book for W.W. Norton, Salvage Secrets, Reclaimed Design and Decor.
The first home-building project in Oregon to use only products made in America is nearing completion in Lake Oswego. Local builder Gerald Rowlett, of Westlake Development, was inspired by a TV special that focused on the effects of buying only domestic goods. Rowlett presented the idea of an all-American home to his clients, who loved the concept.
Rowlett and the homeowners chose to make the home as energy-efficient as possible, incorporating a high-efficiency furnace, water heater, and insulation; a prewired, technology-managed energy-efficiency system; and a car-charging station.
With the infrastructure built, they turned their attention to decor. When it came time to decide on lights, Rejuvenation was the logical choice: not only made in America, but made in Oregon! Local firm Garrison Hullinger Design collaborated with the clients to choose the Rejuvenation lighting that would best reflect the home’s Craftsman style. The fixtures they will be enjoying for many years to come are the Wildwood, Chelsea, Humboldt, Rockwell, Willow, Siletz, Harrison, Alsea, and Klamath Falls.
The Made in America Home will be one of the host homes during the Ultimate Open House event, which showcases over 42 homes in the Portland area. The free show is open April 28-29 and May 5-6, 11 a.m.-5p.m.
Stay tuned for more photos and a guest post by Garrison Hullinger.
At Rejuvenation, we’ve always believed that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Our employees certainly prove this adage—and not just when they’re at work. In the coming months, we’ll be featuring some of the surprising and inspiring projects that are their own labors of love.
The following is from Justin Grow, one of our salvage buyers.
I’m currently working on a concrete block project on my home, in Portland’s Richland/Waverleigh neighborhood.
When it was built in 1910 by architect Alfred Faber, they used rusticated concrete blocks for the foundation. The blocks were built on site, by hand, and have a wonderful look.
I’d wanted to build a retaining wall at the sidewalk for some time now, but didn’t like any of the block options out there. After pondering solutions for a while, I found out that the Architectural Heritage Center had one of the original mold machines in its collection. I contacted them and made arrangements to borrow the machine on the condition that I repaired it to working order at my own expense.
I’ve had the machine for about six months now and have made about 70 blocks. I had to suspend production over the winter months, but I plan to start again soon. Each block takes approximately 20 minutes to make, and I need about 130 more till I can start erecting the wall.
It is an interesting process, and very labor-intensive, but the end product is without compare.
All of our stores have front entry displays that we like to change up throughout the year. To some, removing and installing a whole bunch of lighting in the same spot several times a year might sound tedious, but not to our LA crew! They sent me this snapshot today and it made me smile so I’m sharing with you. If you live in Portland, LA or Seattle and haven’t visited us for a while, swing by and say hello (soon you can visit us in Berkeley too!). We’ve got lots of great new products being introduced throughout the year and our sales associates are always excited to have house guests.
Ronaldo, Peter and Jas from our store in Los Angeles
