Chip and Joanna-Approved! Magnolia Network Designer Turns ‘Collapsing’ Hudson Valley Home Into Stunning $685K Retreat

A Magnolia Network designer who spent months restoring a 125-year-old Hudson Valley home has now put the elegantly transformed dwelling on the market for $685,000—more than triple what she paid for it less than a year ago.

Home flipper Christina Salway, whose work has been featured in Country Living, House Beautiful, and the New York Times, and her husband, John Moskowitz, purchased the 1,572-square-foot, three-bedroom property in October 2024 for $205,000.

They then proceeded to carry out a massive renovation of the historic home, which Salway revealed was being used as a two-family residence before they purchased it.

“It was functioning as a two-family home with one apartment downstairs and one upstairs when we bought it,” Salway explained. “We had to do a lot of work to reconfigure it to a single-family home and bring it back to what it once was, which was a really big undertaking.”

Despite her expertise in home design and renovation, Salway confessed that she and Moskowitz ran into a few hurdles because the dwelling was in a neglected state.

“It was in a state of neglect and had a 1960s kitchen that was collapsing, along with a staggering amount of carpeting over carpeting,” she said.

During their restoration, they discovered many historical design touches.

“Underneath all that carpet were these protected and beautiful wide-plank floors,” she revealed.

Preserving the home’s historic integrity was always intentional, Salway said.

“There were some charming details that we left intact, including doors and molding. The stairs and banister were also in really good condition.”

Other original details include wide-plank pine floors, custom millwork, and decorative fireplaces.

“We wanted to make sure the home performed in a practical way,” Salway said. “When you are in town, you want everything to be as updated and convenient as possible, so we had an eye to that with this renovation.

“I get much more excited for projects like this-type renovation than ones where we have to go down to the studs.”

Salway said they moved the laundry upstairs and added a mudroom pantry. They also opened up the space.

“We wanted to open the archway between the living room and kitchen, so the only challenge we encountered was having to put a structural support in the basement,” she said. “Aesthetically and functionally, it was well worth it to create the flow and fluidity we were looking for.”

Salway and her husband added a number of modern amenities without affecting the traditional aesthetic that they were aiming for.

Those modern upgrades include an energy-efficient HVAC system, new electrical and plumbing systems, a high-efficiency water heater, new appliances, and an updated eat-in kitchen.

The couple installed a classic claw-foot tub in one of the bathrooms located just off the living room, while adding a soaking tub and Moroccan zellige tilework to the bathroom upstairs.

One of the more unique changes that Salway made was to the façade, which had white and brown paint that was peeling. The couple chose a dusty pink paint to cover the walls.

“Did I mention that we painted this house a dusty shade of pink? I’ve received a ton of questions about the exact color—a Benjamin Moore color match of Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster, applied as a monochromatic color drench on all trim work, moldings, and clapboard. Go pink, or go home,” the designer noted.

Adding to the home’s appeal is the community in which it is located—which Salway said has been more than welcoming.

“Recently, I heard someone say when you first leave the city, you move upstate and live in the country, then you make the decision to move back into town,” she said.

“I hope that’s who we find. Hudson is an incredible town that balances the quality of a vacation destination with an active full-time population. There is real harmony there, so I hope the buyer will be really excited about that.”

Salway said she is also proud that the house feels more like a home than a flip.

“It’s a real charmer,” she said. “Pictures can’t convey the volumes of the space, and the lighting is really marvelous. It’s just three blocks away from (the shops and restaurants on) Warren Street, so the balance of proximity and privacy should be really appealing to the next owner.”