On the House – Finder, Keeper Gretchen Devlin

– By Robin Jovanovich –

While rarely home herself, it’s safe to say Gretchen Devlin is a homebody. She stages homes, finds furniture and furnishings for clients, and runs estate sales.

For nine years, Gretchen’s Loft was a fixture on Main Street in Port Chester, where collectors of fine antiques and good junk could find a wonderful selection of well-priced furniture, mirrors, area rugs and more. And if they couldn’t find just the right cocktail table or pair of bedside chests in her shop, they would ask Devlin to be on the lookout.

She is always willing to go the extra mile, getting up early many Sundays to drive to a sale in western Pennsylvania or Lenox, Mass., and back. Twice a year, she heads to Maine and Vermont. One of her favorite haunts is the Brimfield Antique Show and Flea Market in Massachusetts, where 30,000 dealers converge every May, July and September. “It’s great fun. I drive a truck up there and everyone does a lot of tailgating in between buying and selling,” she said.

Through word-of-mouth, Devlin has built up a large and loyal clientele over the years. “I work well with people. They make an appointment for me to come and see their house, we walk around and I leave with a wish list.”

Aside from great people skills, honed by years of teaching tennis and paddle tennis, Devlin’s strength is having a good eye. “I find the treasures, the pieces of interest and character. I dare to be different and love color. Everything doesn’t need to blend and you certainly don’t want it to look too decorated.”

Last week, Devlin set up shop at 135 Mason Street in Greenwich, where she shares space with Doug Taylor of Colonial Framing, who does all her framing.
“I missed having a place to do business, and it’s great to be able to have a space to display some of my many discoveries,” she said.

Currently for sale at “Gretchen’s Loft Revisited” is a glass-topped walnut curio/coffee table with drawers that open from both sides, a turn-of-the-century cast iron bed made into a bench, graceful urns (“which can be used as focal points indoors and out”), a wonderful selection of mirrors, and a pair of fine French porcelain lamps with brass decoration.

Stop by to see what Gretchen Devlin has “in store” for you or make an appointment by contacting her at Gretchensloft@aol.com.