How Amie and Jolie Sikes Built Junk Gypsy: From Texas Flea Markets to HGTV Fame

If you’ve ever been enchanted by glitter-dusted vintage decor, Airstream makeovers, or bold Texas style, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the Junk Gypsies. Founded by sisters Amie and Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsy Co. is a vibrant blend of boho chic design, reclaimed treasures, and heartfelt Southern storytelling. Best known for their HGTV show Junk Gypsies, the duo turned a $2,000 startup into a nationally beloved brand rooted in creativity, family, and the open road. From their Round Top headquarters to celebrity Airstreams and bestselling books, the Sikes sisters have built a lifestyle empire that celebrates imperfection, imagination, and unapologetic flair.

Early Life and Education

Amie and Jolie grew up in the small towns of Overton and College Station, Texas, where their parents owned pizza restaurants. Their upbringing was steeped in entrepreneurship and creativity, and they learned the value of hard work by pitching in with the family business. Amie, born in 1972, went on to study agricultural journalism at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1995. Jolie, born in 1975, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. Though Amie initially considered law school, she chose a more artistic and unconventional path—one that Jolie soon joined as a full-time creative partner.

The Birth of Junk Gypsy

In 1998, Amie and Jolie teamed up with their mother Janie to launch Junk Gypsy Co., starting with $2,000 and a hand-me-down truck. The idea was simple but bold: collect and sell vintage, repurposed, and salvaged goods while embracing a free-spirited lifestyle. Their early days were filled with craft fairs and flea markets—many of them unsuccessful. But instead of backing down, they returned, improved, and slowly cultivated a loyal following.

The name “Junk Gypsy” reflected their mission and lifestyle: traveling from show to show, collecting old treasures, and creating magic with whatever they found. Initially hesitant about the word “junk,” the sisters embraced it, turning it into a badge of honor.

Round Top Roots and the Flagship Store

After years of traveling to flea markets, the sisters returned to Round Top, Texas around 2000 to take part in Texas Antiques Week. For over 15 years, they ran a traveling booth—complete with chandeliers, fringe, and a circus-like tent. Eventually, their desire to establish a permanent home led them to open the Junk Gypsy World Headquarters in Round Top, a natural choice since their journey had begun there.

The flagship store was built using reclaimed materials from old farmhouses around Fayette County and salvaged finds from past Antiques Weeks. Amie and Jolie stayed true to their roots—blending new merchandise with vintage treasures, embracing a philosophy of “more is more” with glitter, fringe, and bold character at every turn.

Big Breaks and Celebrity Collaborations

The sisters’ authenticity and design work soon caught the attention of celebrities. Country superstar Miranda Lambert commissioned them to redesign her Airstream tour bus and later her wedding décor. Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong also hired them to revamp his trailer. Collaborations with major brands like Pottery Barn Teen and Lane Boots followed, cementing their reputation in both the design and entertainment worlds.

Airstreams and Dashboard Therapy

For Amie and Jolie, the open road became more than a metaphor—it was a source of inspiration. They call it “dashboard therapy,” a term that reflects their love of road trips, flea markets, and spontaneous discovery. What started as a means to an end turned into a lifestyle of adventure, junking, and creative reinvention.

Airstreams became an iconic part of their brand. They customized several for clients, including two for Miranda Lambert and one for Billie Joe Armstrong, blending function with a touch of whimsy and comfort. They even built an Airstream for Amie’s daughter, Indie—a pink, sparkly fairyland of sequins and joy. Whether used as guesthouses, playhouses, or design challenges, the Airstreams reflect the Junk Gypsy ethos: extreme design, practical magic, and personal flair.

Designing inside an Airstream comes with challenges: curved walls, limited flat surfaces, and the constant motion of travel. Everything has to be riveted or creatively secured, from flush-mount chandeliers to artwork. As they quip, “Anything that sits still too long becomes a chandelier.”

HGTV Fame and Junk Gypsies

In 2012, HGTV premiered Junk Gypsies, a reality show that showcased the sisters as they transformed flea-market finds into stunning home décor projects. The show resonated with viewers thanks to its charm, humor, and emphasis on imperfection and storytelling. Amie and Jolie’s vibrant personalities and down-to-earth wisdom made them fan favorites.

The series followed them not only in their store and design studio but also as they hit the road in search of salvaged treasures and turned them into one-of-a-kind creations. From quirky weddings to Airstream makeovers, each episode reflected their eclectic style and commitment to heart-driven design.

Premiering on November 27, 2011, Junk Gypsies ran for three seasons and concluded with its final episode on July 31, 2015. The show built a loyal fan base and brought national attention to their Round Top store and design philosophy. Each episode highlighted their creativity, humor, and ability to turn discarded objects into showstopping pieces. Although filming paused after its third season so they could focus on other ventures—including The Wander Inn, product collaborations, and expanding their brand—the show remains a beloved part of their legacy and continues to air in reruns.

Design Style and Philosophy

The Sikes sisters are unapologetically drawn to the bold and the whimsical. Their style combines:

• Turquoise, red, and gold tones
• Crystals, chandeliers, velvet, fringe, and reclaimed wood
• Boho, farmhouse, glam, and Parisian influences

Their belief? Decorating should never be intimidating. Imperfection is beautiful, and glitter is practically a primary color.

The Book and Creative Expansion

In 2016, they published Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder & Wander. The book blended DIY tutorials, personal stories, and design inspiration. It was written over eight intense months and reflected the heart and soul of their journey. They later hinted at plans for a fictional Junk Gypsy novel.

Beyond the book, their brand expanded to include a DIY paint line, national speaking tours, and themed design cruises with the Property Brothers and Country Living.

The Wander Inn and Guest Experience

Just down the road from their store, the sisters launched The Wander Inn—a lodge that began as housing for film crews and later evolved into a unique destination for visitors. Decorated in classic Junk Gypsy style with reclaimed wood and eclectic flair, it embodies the spirit of their brand.

Values, Family, and Fan Community

Family remains central to their lives. Whether it’s working together, involving their kids in store life, or honoring their parents’ legacy, Junk Gypsy is a multi-generational operation.

They are also deeply moved by the stories fans share—people who credit Junk Gypsy for helping them reconnect with their passions, overcome personal struggles, or pursue a dream. These moments, more than celebrity projects or TV ratings, define their success.

Lesser-Known Facts About the Junk Gypsy Sisters (Amie & Jolie Sikes)

Background & Business

1. They constructed their own internet tower using a tractor in their backyard to enable livestreams from their store in Round Top, Texas.
2. The business began without a formal or detailed business plan; their stated goal was to work with family and enjoy their work.
3. Early title ideas for their book included The Ballad of the Junk before selecting Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder and Wander.
4. The name Junk Gypsy was considered risky at the time due to negative connotations around the word “junk.”
5. Their book was written in an 8-month focused period, during which they paused filming and other projects.

Team & Personal Life

6. Their mother, Janie, contributed a section to their book and participates in business activities.
7. A close team member named Archie contributed a personal story to the book and once mentioned that her rented French horn was reclaimed in college due to missed payments.
8. Amie and Jolie often bring their own children to the store, and it’s common for employees to do the same. During summer breaks or after school, the shop becomes a shared space where kids sometimes help with light tasks or participate in creative activities.

Style & Approach

9. They consider glitter part of their core visual identity and use it frequently in decor.
10. Their store was redesigned in 2016 with a focus on velvet, deep colors, chandeliers, and ornate textures, reflecting a “Gypsy-style” theme.
11. Fringe, crushed velvet, and vintage fabrics are consistent elements in their designs.
12. They blend multiple interior styles, such as farmhouse, bohemian, and rock-and-roll, in their projects.
13. Neither Amie nor Jolie has a formal design degree, and they have stated that they rely on personal style rather than academic training.

Collaborations & Media

14. They were invited by the Property Brothers and Country Living to participate in design cruises.
15. During one cruise, Amie experienced motion sickness and required assistance while installing chandeliers on stage.
16. They have completed three product collaborations with Pottery Barn, including collections for children’s rooms.
17. Items signed for fans have included non-traditional objects such as cow skulls, lampshades, and furniture.
18. Notable decor pieces in their store include a ship mermaid masthead, a neon armadillo sign, and large angel wings.Travel & Markets
19. Their first-ever market show was unsuccessful—they reported zero sales at that event.
20. At a later event, they discovered a vintage trunk with the name “Janie” spelled out in metal studs, which matched their mother’s name.
21. One of their more unusual flea market finds was a purse made from an armadillo, displayed with its belly facing outward.
22. Two towns they frequently mention as favorite destinations are Wimberley (TX) and Madrid (NM), discovered while traveling Route 66.
23. Both sisters have expressed interest in completing a full road trip to all 50 U.S. states.
24. They have mentioned enjoying shows such as The Middle, Heart of Dixie, and Curious George.
25. They have encountered fans who travel long distances to visit their store, often decorating their vehicles en route.
26. In interviews, they mentioned public figures they would like to meet or have dinner with, including Will Ferrell, Sandra Bullock, and Dwight Yoakam.
27. Their fallback career plan, if Junk Gypsy had not succeeded, was to return to the pizza restaurant business, which their family owned in the past.