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The subtle floral pattern on this wicker chair is the only print in this soothing corner of the living room.
Unfortunately, some of the wood was deeply soiled with pet stains, so the Restivos were forced to paint it. “We could’ve stained the entire floor as dark as the darkest stain or installed all new wood, but painting seemed like a better option,” Charlie says. “We experimented for a while with different colors and finally decided on this streaky white.”
Slightly distressed but crisp and clean, the floors proved to be the launching pad for the rest of the décor, which was briefly snow-toned as well. “My wife was going through a big all-white phase at the time,” Charlie says sheepishly. “But then my daughter came in and begged us to add more color, so we went that route instead.” Choosing custom blends of perky, vintage-inspired tones, the Restivos revved up their walls with yellow, pink and blue, reserving white (the same white used on the floors) for trimwork, wainscoting and cabinets.
Martha continued the vibrant palette on the furnishings and accessories, selecting warm, colorful fabrics for pillows and upholstery, and bold, quirky patterns for dishes and other accents. She opted for older items whenever possible—in line with her “casual, beachy, vintage” theme—and slowly gathered the perfect pieces over the course of a year. As Charlie labored to rehab the house, Martha worked just as hard to furnish and decorate it.
 A tried-and-true thrift store veteran, she scoured much of the West Coast for secondhand treasures, skillfully choosing just the right objects for this budget-friendly makeover. “There’s nothing in the house that isn’t from a flea market or thrift store,” Charlie says proudly. “Martha is just miraculous at finding stuff and knowing it’s going to look good.”
Because everything in the home was discovered by chance, the Restivos admit that they had to be flexible with their overall design. Though they were somewhat guided by their wall colors and the home’s age, they basically just bought what they liked and found a way to make it work—a strategy that didn’t always pan out. In the living room, the couple had to endure a bad sofa gaffe, and in the kitchen they were compelled to repaint the cabinets after finding the perfect stove.
“When you’re buying everything used, you just have to go with the flow,” Charlie says. “It may not work for everyone, but we think it’s a great adventure.”
Above:
Martha added warmth to this feminine guest bedroom
by layering an array of textiles: patchwork, florals,
chenille and even stripes.
Editor’s Note: For product information,
contact Homestead Antique & Trading Company,
961 Linden Ave., Carpinteria, CA 93013.
Candles courtesy Aromatique
(aromatique.com).
Photos: Bill Mathews; stylists: Gloria Gale and Lynda Callos
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