There’s something about an old house that whispers stories of the past, but when Samantha Kaupish stepped into her 1895 Victorian mansion in Great Falls, she saw an opportunity to add her own chapter.
Originally from Loma, Montana, Samantha moved to Great Falls drawn by its tight-knit community and historic charm. “I love the size of this city,” she says. “Whenever I go to the grocery store, I know someone.”
Kaupish and her husband weren’t actively searching for a home when they stumbled across the Victorian on Zillow.
“We actually weren’t looking,” she said. “But I told my husband, ‘Let’s go check it out.’” That same day, they put in an offer. The house, which had previously been converted into a multi-unit property before being restored to a single-family home, felt like it was waiting for them.
The Thrill of the Find
Kaupish and her husband moved into 5,800 square feet. Their belongings were quickly dwarfed by the scale of the home. So, Kaupish took a creative approach to designing her space. She scours estate sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces for unique, storied pieces.
“Shopping secondhand is always exciting,” she said. “You don’t really know what you’ll find until you see it.”
One of her most treasured pieces is a vintage secretary desk, which she found at a local estate sale. “It folds out, and it still has the original label—‘Ladies’ Writing Table.’” The key is intact, and the history of the piece adds a layer of charm no mass-produced furniture ever could. “It’s probably my favorite thing I own,” she said.
Samantha’s love for giving something old a new life isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about sustainability and craftsmanship. “So much of what’s made today won’t last. I love knowing that these pieces were built to stand the test of time,” she explains. Her blue checkered chair, a Goodwill score, is another example. “I love that chair to the ends of the earth,” she says, laughing. “Some people question if secondhand means thrift store, but to me, it’s anything pre-owned. You’re being clever, you’re being sustainable.”
Room by Room
Walking through Samantha’s home is like stepping into a carefully curated museum of memories. The nursery, one of her latest projects, is nearly entirely thrifted, with the exception of the crib and rug [see photos here on Instagram]. “Most everything in here is secondhand,” she said. “Kids grow so fast, it didn’t make sense to buy everything new.” The space is warm, inviting, and practical, proof that sustainability and style can coexist beautifully.
The living room, anchored by a pair of stunning vintage sofas, tells a similar story. “They were from a Facebook Marketplace seller, and all I had to do was replace the legs. That small change made all the difference.” The transformation continued with a coffee table that she upholstered into a bench. “I loved the legs, but I wanted something softer. If I ever change my mind, I can take the fabric off, and it’s a coffee table again.”
Bright Future
Despite the home’s grand presence, Samantha doesn’t see it as a finished project. There’s always another idea brewing, another room waiting for a touch of new-old charm.
“I’d love to wallpaper the laundry room and second-floor bathroom,” she muses. Outdoor projects are also on the horizon, now that the interior is in a good place.
While she loves the home she’s created, she also loves the process: The thrill of discovery, the hunt for the perfect piece, and the satisfaction of breathing new life into something old.
“It’s not just about decorating,” she said. “It’s about collecting stories.”
Samantha’s Top Thrifting Tips
Inspired by Samantha’s amazing secondhand finds? Here are her best tips for thrifting and estate sale shopping:
Make a List Before Shopping New – Before heading to Target or Amazon, jot down items you need and check thrift stores first. You might be surprised by what you find! Are books on your list? Samantha had luck finding coffee table books at the public library’s annual sale.
Go Early for the Best Selection – “I think in the morning is the best time to go,” she advises. Estate sales and thrift stores tend to have the freshest inventory when they open.
Be a Regular – Visiting often increases your chances of finding unique pieces. “You have to go frequently to score the best finds,” she said.
Think Creatively About Secondhand Finds – If a piece isn’t perfect, consider small modifications like repainting or replacing hardware. “Just changing the legs on a couch made all the difference for me,” she shares.
Trash to Treasure – Keep your mind open to what someone might think of as unsalable. See something in the trash pile that looks usable? Go check it out. Samantha scored her Pottery Barn rocker from an alley dumpster.
Consider Online Secondhand Marketplaces – Samantha sources from estate sales, thrift stores, and Facebook Marketplace. “Some people don’t think of Facebook Marketplace as thrifting, but to me, it’s another way you can be creative and sustainable.”
Sustainability Over Fast Furniture – “A lot of what’s made today won’t last,” she notes. Opting for vintage or secondhand furniture often means better craftsmanship and a lower environmental impact.
Samantha’s passion for thrifting and her ability to breathe new life into old treasures has been so inspiring. We’ve even found ourselves thrifting more since our interview with her! If you're looking for inspiration to thrift more and buy new less, be sure to follow her on Instagram [@sambrgr]