In 1996, Wende Cohen opened her Westport, Connecticut antiques store, Bungalow. Over the last 25 years, it’s become a cult-favorite for interior designers, celebrities, and stylish homeowners alike. Cohen’s success is clearly attributed to her keen eye—the shop is always stocked with an ever-evolving inventory of sophisticated, globally-inspired, one-of-a-kind pieces. She just has “it” – the innate ability to mix textures and styles effortlessly. 

Luckily, Cohen isn’t one of those “cool girls” who keeps all her secrets to herself. She’s always willing to share the wealth, whether it’s an impeccable antique or her sought-after style secrets. Today, she shares her top 5 tips for building a home with longevity. As Cohen says, “buy what you love, and you’ll always find a place for it in your home.”


Choose a Neutral Palette.
You don’t want to fully commit to a passing fad, so it’s important to choose a neutral color palette as your home’s foundation. A subdued backdrop allows you to constantly evolve your space with rugs, accessories, linens, and other items that are easy to change out when the mood strikes. 

Consider Classic Finishes for High-Traffic Areas.
Kitchens and bathrooms can look outdated fairly quickly. For these high-traffic areas, stick with classic cabinetry and flooring and incorporate pieces you can change out later — like stylish hardware, textural curtains, or a breakfast banquette. 

Surround Yourself with Calming Aesthetics.
As we continue to spend more time in our homes than ever before, we’re increasingly focusing on calming aesthetics to create functional yet elegant spaces. Furnish your home with products that enhance your rituals and aim to create tranquility. Create an atmosphere that incorporates neutral, organic palettes bathed in natural light and further elevate it with texture. 

Choose Pieces that Speak to You.
We love a good trend, but it’s better to embrace them in a way that won’t be in your home forever. Choose a black matte coffee table instead of black windows, etc. And more important than what’s current, choose pieces that speak to you or evoke a personal meaning. These eclectic accessories are timeless and can be passed from generation to generation. 

Focus Less on Trends + More on Timeless.
This is always top of mind for us when sourcing pieces for Bungalow: focus less on trends and more on things that are unique and lend themselves to both timeless, classic and modern settings. When you truly fall in love with something, it will stand the test of time.