Restoring a Country Cottage Home

BUILT IN 1920 IN TRIADELPHIA, WEST

VIRGINIA, Bambi Costanzo’s home has been a “passion” project.

“I ‘ve been here since 1996 and have been lovingly restoring and adding onto it since,” Bambi says.

Her pantry shows just how much character this 100-plus-year-old home has. The pantry used to be a closet leading to the basement, but Bambi transformed it into the perfect pantry, which now holds many of her cherished treasures.

She ripped up the linoleum floors to reveal original wood flooring underneath.

“It’s worn and full of holes, but I think it just adds to the charm,” Bambi notes.

She painted a striking checkerboard pattern directly onto the wood for added interest. She also built the plate rack and the table that holds an assortment of her favorite vintage items.

“Just about everything in our house is secondhand. I love the ‘hunt’ and reimagining an item and using it for something other than its intended purpose,” Bambi explains.

When it comes to her style, she incorporates a “country cottage” flair.

“I’m drawn to blues, greens, browns and the warm tones of copper and worn wood.”

The green cabinet in the kitchen came from her grandparents, and it has moved around to almost every room in the house. Bambi’s advice when mixing and matching secondhand items is to only use items you love: “As far as layering, I say, ‘The more the merrier!’” Bambi exclaims.

If the piece is your style and you love it by itself, it will be able to work in your house. Her trick for keeping a clean look is intentional storage.

“I love vintage baskets! You can hide anything and everything in them,” she points out.