SALINA, KS — When Karie Bogart and Lisa Holmes opened the doors to a 500-square-foot storefront on July 1, 2015, they had no idea that Flipping Fabulous would evolve into one of the most recognized DIY and home décor destinations in the country. What began as a modest painted furniture shop at 232 S. Santa Fe has become a 3,000+ square foot retail force in the heart of downtown Salina—now located at 125 & 127 N. Santa Fe.
“We started with painted furniture, but quickly realized we’d have to diversify to survive,” said Bogart. “We learned early on that versatility is the key to longevity, especially when you're a small business in a small town.”
Together, Karie and Lisa have built Flipping Fabulous into an industry leader, offering everything from refinished and custom furniture to exclusive paint lines, curated home goods, and local artisan wares. They now hold the title of largest brick-and-mortar Prima Marketing retailer in the world, are the second-largest online retailer for the brand, and the largest Melange Paints retailer globally, a company that even worked directly with Karie to create five custom colors inspired by members of her family.
“We’re not just a local business anymore. We’ve shipped custom furniture to 14 different states, and next week, Montana will make 15.”
From Startup to Storefront Powerhouse
After a short stint at their first location, the pair moved to 107 N. Santa Fe in early 2016, steadily growing their product mix and client base. But it wasn’t until 2023, when they purchased and restored two long-vacant storefronts just up the street, that the business fully came into its own.
“Our building sat empty for nearly a decade. When we bought it, it was in absolute disrepair,” Bogart said. “You’d gag at the before pictures, honestly. But we remodeled it in 40 days and stayed open at our other location while doing it.”
With support from Salina 2020, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Project OPEN, and Salina Downtown Inc., Karie and Lisa transformed the space into a clean, vibrant showcase of all things creative and charming.
Before and After: The Transformation of Flipping Fabulous’ New Downtown Salina Location
Local Roots, Global Reach
Flipping Fabulous isn't just about aesthetics—it’s a business built on grit. “We’ve faced it all,” Bogart said. “COVID shutdowns, months without a front entrance due to downtown construction—you name it. But we’ve adapted every time.”
That resilience has paid off. The store ranks in the top 0.03% of over 8 million Etsy storefronts worldwide, and they’ve become a destination for exclusive products, including:
- Fusion Mineral Paint and Dixie Belle Paint (top 5% retailer for both)
- Largest U.S. retailer for Mint Decoupage Papers
- Exclusive U.S. distributor for Three Yellow Goats Decoupage Papers
- High-end unfinished furniture from North Carolina (custom-finished in-store)
The shop also carries American-made gourmet culinary goods by Finch & Fennel, party wares, gifts, jewelry, and an ever-changing variety of home décor.
A Place That Feels Like Home
Beyond the accolades and accomplishments, Flipping Fabulous is a local treasure because of its atmosphere.
“Every single day, someone walks in and says, ‘I can’t believe how much fun stuff you have in here!’ That makes it all worth it,” Bogart said. “We want this place to feel like home.”
That feeling extends to the store’s unofficial mascots: Karie’s 14-year-old pup Lily and her “grand-dog” helpers, Shadow and Bear. “They’re part of the team. Customers love seeing them.”
The Women Behind the Brand
Lisa Holmes, originally from Nebraska, is married to Eric Holmes and is a proud mom to daughters Kenah and Kaylee, both students at Salina Central. Before joining Flipping Fabulous, Lisa worked in retail while raising her girls, who have spent the last decade growing up inside the store.
Lisa is the steady, behind-the-scenes force who helps keep the business running. From managing logistics and operations to maintaining inventory, finances, and structure, Lisa ensures that Flipping Fabulous stays on track day in and day out. Her organization and attention to detail are essential to the store’s continued growth.
Karie Bogart is a Salina native and the creative engine behind the brand. She’s mom to Ethan and Allie, stepmom to Cody and Katie, and grandma to Parker, with another grandbaby, Lainey Jo, arriving soon. “My man friend Dan has been my biggest cheerleader,” she said. “His support has been constant, and I couldn’t have built this without him.”
Together, Karie and Lisa have balanced creative vision and operational discipline to build something truly lasting.
Built by Family, Guided by Mentors
“Our families are the backbone of Flipping Fabulous,” Bogart emphasized. “From nieces and nephews helping unload furniture, to sweeping floors and packing orders—they’ve all played a part, even if they vacuum and dust exceptionally poorly,” she laughed.
They also credit a few key mentors who helped shape the business from its earliest days:
- Dan Ade, Karie’s partner, previously owned PSI (Professional Sprinkler Installation) and now operates KBT (Kansas Backflow Testing), a leader in certification and testing. “Dan’s advice has been rock solid. He’s helped me make big decisions and stay grounded.”
- Lisa Roelofson, owner of Penny Layne, employed Karie early on. “Lisa is generous, sharp, and ridiculously talented. She taught me so much.”
- Maureen Mattison, their longtime landlord and neighbor at Eccentricity. “Her work ethic is unmatched. Every time I talked to her, I walked away with a nugget of wisdom.”
Looking Ahead
As Flipping Fabulous marks its 10-year milestone, Karie and Lisa aren’t slowing down. Plans are underway to expand product lines once again, and the team remains focused on delivering a shopping experience that’s personal, community-focused, and unlike anything else in the region.
Follow Flipping Fabulous:
- Website: www.flippingfabuloussalina.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/flippingfabuloussalina
- Etsy: etsy.com/shop/FlippingFabulousKS
- Instagram: @flippingfabuloussalina
For custom work or paint orders, contact Karie at lushpaintks@gmail.com.