At FOF Catherine Del Spina’s Westchester, N.Y., “Apple Hill” residence, the basement is where the magic happens. Furniture, relics and other treasures arrive tattered and worn but leave in pristine condition.
“Here is my latest project,” Catherine says, pointing to an assortment of freshly-painted white chairs and tables.
“I found them at a fire department tag sale. The table looked like crap, the chairs were filthy and broken. One was marked 1909,” she says. “But they were asking $250 for six chairs, a Duncan Phyfe two-leaf dining room table, two wool hooked rugs, two cocktail tables with burl inlay and a large mirror. I said to them ‘It’s not enough, I have to pay you more… so I paid $350.’”
Catherine relishes most what other people have given up on. In her career, her home and her personal life she succeeds because of her ability to see things with different eyes than everyone else. “The Marketing Optometrist,” she calls herself, because during the week she consults with companies like Whole Foods and Walmart helping them obtain “better marketing through sharper vision.”
Then she spends her weekends using that same sharp eye to troll estate sales, world bazaars, markets and antique stores for new treasures to adorn her home.
“How do I find this stuff? I look at it and say ‘Okay, I can fix that!’” Last year, Catherine recovered two “junky, creepy” chairs from a tag sale. “I thought they had good bones,” she says. “I fixed them up and instead of $2,000 per chair I spent a total of $500.”
Even the house itself, built in 1850 and purchased in 1995, is one of Catherine’s rescue missions. “When we bought it, it was completely run-down. There was nothing to it,” she says. Fifteen years and multiple renovations later the house is 2,000 sq. ft. larger than when it was purchased (totaling over 5,000 sq. ft.) and on the market for $2.2 million.
“It’s too big for two people and so much to upkeep,” says Catherine. She’s not sure yet where her next home will be, but says she may start from scratch decorating her new digs.
“I love to do it. But it’s hard… it’s all a part of me,” she says.
Images by Katherine McPherson for FabOverFifty.com
0 Responses to “{Interiors} Catherine Del Spina’s Westchester Home Tour”
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preston bealle says:
Splendid place that takes hours to explore and the best place to dine within 100 miles!
Martha S. Kerr-Burke says:
I should be so lucky-I love this place & notice it is for sale ! I don’t suppose I could get it for under $100,000. LOL. A gal can dream,right ? I probably couldn’t pay the electric bill ! It’s a beautiful home and anyone who lives there should feel very blessed !
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Caroline shepherd says:
Great Article Catherine….really captures the essence of who you are.
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Scott Menta says:
I was impressed from the first time I visited 16 years ago. The evolution has has been nothing short of amazing.
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Soledad says:
Looks elegant yet comfortabe and cozy.
Deborah Milne says:
gorgeous home x1000. Full of character, love & charm. Truly a joy to see!
Thank you ~
Karen Spector says:
I love the concept of going to tag sales, flea markets and turning trash into real treasures. I love to do the same thing. I have my home completely decorated from garage sale finds. Love to go hunting on the weekends. I feel as if I won the lottery when I find something that I need or want.
Robyn says:
Lovely, simply lovely !!!!