warmth meets rugged Alaskan charm. This unique design reflects not just their aesthetic, but their unwavering strength, enduring love, and the extraordinary journey that brought them here.
Matt and Virginia Kosto’s story is one of resilience and unwavering love. Matt’s 20+ year Air Force career took him from deployments overseas to a defining moment responding to a C-17 crash in Alaska. After retiring as a Master Sergeant, he continued supporting aircraft maintenance in a civilian role. Virginia has been his steadfast partner through it all, including her battle with stage 4 cancer and Matt’s lifechanging motorcycle accident that led to the loss of his right leg. Together, they faced these challenges with strength and hope, building a foundation that inspires everyone around them.
Now settled in Arizona near their two adult children, their new home combines warm desert tones and cozy Alaskan elements to create a space filled with comfort, strength, and hope.
As you explore this guide, you’ll see how every design detail honors their military service, their family’s resilience, and the bright future they’re building.
Join us in celebrating the Kosto family and their remarkable journey.
rooted in a beautiful blend of rustic adobe and Alaskan influence, and with their vision as our guide, we elevated the space into the cozy retreat they’ve always dreamed of. We preserved the woven wall hangings they loved, then layered in Alaskan - inspired artwork that brings a sense of place and personal connection. Soft green walls now anchor the room, creating a calming backdrop for the new bedding from Nautica a cool grey palette with subtle textures that tie in perfectly with the natural elements throughout the space.
we introduced a stunning wood accent wall featuring a sleek, built - in fireplace, bringing warmth and rustic charm in equal measure. Scandinavian Designs provided elegant new furnishings, including clean - lined side tables and thoughtfully curated artwork. The adjoining bathroom was also reimagined with an expanded layout and a spacious walk - in shower. Thanks to the generous support of Benjamin Supply, who donated plumbing services, and Floor & Decor, who provided the beautiful tile, the bathroom now offers a perfect blend of luxury and practicality, an ideal extension of the Kosto family’s serene new sanctuary.
Season 42 of Military
Makeover brought a meaningful change to the Kosto family’s home. Matt and Virginia Kosto have faced many challenges, from Matt’s lengthy military career to the difficulties following his motorcycle accident and Virginia’s battle with cancer. Through it all, they have remained strong, and with the help of Military Makeover, their home has been transformed to better support their lives and passions.
A Dedicated Space for Virginia’s Crafting Passion
One of the key additions to the home is a dedicated craft room for Virginia. Before the renovation, she had been working on her crafts in the living room. That space lacked the privacy and organization needed for her to fully enjoy her hobby. The new craft room gives her the freedom to work on her projects in a space designed for creativity and comfort.
For empty nesters like the Kostos, hobbies are an important part of life. They provide a way to stay engaged and discover new joys as children move out. For Virginia, crafting has long been a passion, and having a dedicated space for it makes a world of difference.
The craft room is a space designed for both storage and creativity, providing Virginia with a retreat where she can focus, unwind, and nurture her creative side.
The design team ensured the craft room met Virginia’s needs by incorporating ample storage and an efficient layout. The space is bright, welcoming, and organized, designed to support her crafting activities with ease. It’s a room where Virginia can connect with her creativity, explore new projects, and work at her own pace.
This craft room serves as a place that nurtures personal growth and offers Virginia a sense of purpose.
Ultimately, this makeover highlights how thoughtful home design can meet the physical needs of a family while also enhancing their emotional and mental well-being.
The Kosto home office was reimagined to create a space that Matt could fully utilize, one that supports both his professional work and personal comfort. Thanks to the generous donation from WGU, the office is now equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a brand-new laptop and MacBook Pro. These upgrades provide Matt with the tools he needs to stay connected and productive in his civilian role supporting aircraft maintenance. Complementing the tech, Scandinavian Designs furnished the room with clean, modern pieces that maintain the home's rustic adobe-meets-Alaska style while enhancing functionality and comfort.
The transformation wasn’t just cosmetic, it started from the ground up. Before the renovation, the office had no foundation, making it an unstable and underused space. Purple Heart Homes stepped in to pour a proper concrete foundation, then installed durable hardwood floors that completely elevated the space. This foundational work ensured that the office is not only beautiful but structurally sound and built to last.
To round out the transformation, additional thoughtful touches were added to boost the room’s functionality. Cox donated a highperformance printer, giving Matt everything he needs to work efficiently from home. Eyemart Express also stepped in to provide Matt with new glasses, ensuring he has the clear vision needed to tackle his work with ease. Window Depot contributed all-new doors throughout the office and the home, adding a polished finish that ties the space together.
Out with the old and in with the new, the Kosto family’s living room underwent a stunning transformation to match their dream of a rustic adobemeets-Alaskan retreat. The first step was refreshing the space with a new coat of paint, using warm, earthy tones that instantly brought depth and coziness to the room. The updated color palette set the tone for the rest of the design, creating a foundation that reflects both comfort and character, just like the family who lives there.
One of the biggest visual upgrades came with the addition of all-new furniture from Scandinavian Designs. A vibrant orange couch now serves as the heart of the space, a bold yet tasteful choice that pulls in the rustic tones and adds a lively pop of color. Paired with modern, minimalist accent pieces, the furniture not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also prioritizes comfort and function for everyday living. It’s a living room that invites relaxation and togetherness.
To take their at-home entertainment experience to the next level, Polk provided a high-quality speaker system, giving the Kostos a cinematic audio experience right in their own home. Whether they’re watching movies or tuning into their favorite shows, the sound system ensures every moment is immersive and enjoyable.
And while the room already featured large windows that bathe the space in natural light, the previous layout didn’t take full advantage of this feature. With the new furniture and decor placement, the light is now beautifully integrated, creating a cohesive, airy atmosphere that feels both open and grounded.
Safety and peace of mind were also key components of this redesign. Thanks to Kidde, the living room , along with the rest of the home, is now equipped with reliable smoke detectors, adding an essential layer of protection for the Kosto family.
The Kosto family’s kitchen already had a beautiful foundation, full of charm, warmth, and potential. Rather than starting from scratch, we chose to enhance and elevate what was already there by layering in thoughtful design elements that brought the rustic adobe-meets-Alaskan style to life. Scandinavian Designs played a key role in this transformation, contributing sleek yet natural furnishings and accessories that perfectly balanced function with aesthetic. The result is a kitchen that feels both elevated and inviting, a place where the family can gather, cook, and connect.
No kitchen transformation would be complete without the support of partners who understand the power of community and comfort. Jersey Mike’s generously provided delicious meals to our hardworking crew throughout the renovation process, keeping everyone fueled and energized while they brought the Kosto family’s dream to life. Their contribution added a sense of warmth and care behind the scenes, reinforcing the spirit of teamwork that made this transformation possible. And to give the Kostos a well-deserved break from the renovation chaos, Dave & Buster’s treated the family to a night of fun and great food, a joyful moment to relax and celebrate together.
for years to come.
Virginia now has the craft room of her dreams, a creative sanctuary designed just for her. Whether she’s sewing, painting, or diving into her next DIY project, this space was made to inspire and empower her creativity. meets-modern aesthetic of the home, the room is both functional and inviting. One of the standout additions new serger, gifted to Virginia to support her passion for sewing and help take her projects to the next level. With plenty of surface space, storage, and natural light, this room is truly where inspiration meets
To ensure the space is as comfortable and reliable as it is beautiful, several essential upgrades were made behind the scenes. Service Experts installed a dedicated AC unit, keeping the room cool and comfortable year-round so Virginia can focus on her work without distraction. And thanks to Anker SOLIX, the craft room is equipped with an innovative power solution that ensures Virginia can keep creating even when the power goes out. It’s more than just a backup system, it’s peace of mind and the freedom to craft
Season 42 of Military
Makeover featured a powerful partnership with Purple Heart Homes, our official nonprofit housing partner. Purple Heart Homes played a vital role in selecting the Kosto family as recipients of a home makeover. Their hands-on approach ensured the renovation truly met the family’s needs. The bond between Purple Heart Homes and the Kosto family grew stronger with every stage, showcasing the power of community and veterans helping veterans.
Purple Heart Homes Supports the Kosto Family
From the very start, John Galina from Purple Heart Homes worked closely with our team to understand the specific needs of Matt and Virginia Kosto. Their story of service, resilience, and hope made them the perfect recipients for a Military Makeover. John explains, "Matt exemplifies the same values that we share in our partnership giving back, paying it forward, taking care of the community.”
Purple Heart Homes was determined to create a space for Matt and Virginia that improved accessibility and offered peace of mind while they continued their journey to help other veterans through their own nonprofit plans.
In addition to Purple Heart Homes' leadership, the construction team brought in the muscle needed to tackle this ambitious project.
"It was a big lift," says John, acknowledging the teamwork and the extra effort needed to transform the house into a home that truly served the Kosto family.
"We had to call in the heavy guns and bring in national partners." This was a project that required a massive team effort from Purple Heart Homes and local volunteers, all of whom were driven by the goal of making the Kosto family’s forever home a reality.
The renovation was a multistep process. The original layout of the house presented challenges, with an open space that was not ideal for Matt and Virginia. Troy, the construction manager, explains, "It was really all just one open room." The design team worked with the construction crew to reconfigure the space, creating separate areas for privacy and accessibility. The new layout ensures that Matt and Virginia can enjoy a space that works for them both, with wide doorways, easy-tonavigate rooms, and a design that respects their lifestyle and needs.
With over 1,500 completed projects nationwide, Purple Heart Homes has earned a reputation for transforming houses into homes that meet veterans’ specific needs. This season’s makeover was no different, focusing on important upgrades like reconfigured rooms, new flooring, and a fully accessible bathroom. These renovations have provided the Kosto family with a space that offers peace of mind, comfort, and a fresh start.
The Kosto family’s renovation reflects the lasting impact of this partnership. We are proud of our ongoing work with Purple Heart Homes and look forward to continued collaboration to create spaces where veterans like Matt and Virginia can thrive.
At the heart of the Kosto family’s backyard transformation is a beautifully designed deck by Fiberon, bringing structure, style, and durability to the space. What was once an underutilized area is now a vibrant extension of their home, perfect for relaxation, entertaining, and making new memories. The deck’s sleek design and durable materials offer both beauty and functionality, creating the perfect foundation for their upgraded outdoor lifestyle. As a highlight of the transformation, we also added a cozy fireplace area, giving the family a comfortable space to gather around and enjoy the Arizona evenings.
At the heart of the backyard makeover is the brand-new outdoor bar and kitchen, complete with their very own margarita-making machine. It’s a space built for celebration and connection, especially when their adult children come over for family nights. To help keep the deck cool and comfortable even in the warmer months, Fujitsu provided an HVAC system that brings climate control outdoors, making the entire space more enjoyable year-round. Whether it’s casual afternoons or lively get-togethers, this backyard is now ready for it all.
A few thoughtful additions helped complete the outdoor experience. Original Footwear donated durable shoes that Matt and Virginia can wear while enjoying their new backyard or on the go. Tineco also contributed a versatile vacuum that works both indoors and outdoors, ideal for keeping the deck tidy after family gatherings. Altogether, this backyard is more than a renovation, it’s a reimagined space where the Kosto family can unwind, host, and enjoy meaningful moments together in a space that truly feels like home.
