K R I S T A + H O M E. Designing The New Palm Beach.
Everyone loves a success story, right? Krista + Home was once a boot strap start-up with two employees: Krista and her husband Eric. Their dream was to create homes that not only look like they’re jumping off a magazine page, but that are also livable, comforting and highly functional. The kernel of that idea turned into a movement, and The New Palm Beach became the signature K+H style. All of our projects include a feeling -- a vacationing spirit, a respect for the modern and the historic, and a livable yet luxurious energy. As we grew into a highly sought after firm, we searched across South Florida for the most talented players, a team who all believe that great service is a calling. What we offer today is a full service firm that creates personally curated and branded experiences for each and every client.
KRISTA WATTERWORTH ALTERMAN, ASID, IIDA, IDS
Creative Director & Founder
Krista is Connecticut born, New York trained and happily adopted by Palm Beach County. Her modern, clean and surprisingly classic aesthetic has earned her a reputation as Palm Beach County’s go-to interior designer.
Krista received her Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious New School in Manhattan, and furthered her studies at Parsons School of Interior Design, one of the top design schools in the country. The New York Daily News called Krista “a designer who gives a room soul.”
A television personality, Krista is known for her highly acclaimed HGTV shows Save My Bath and Splurge & Save. She's also been featured on The Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible and DIY's The Vanilla Ice Project for nine seasons.
In 2022, Krista + Home was named one of the "Top 100 Women Led Businesses" in Florida by the Commonwealth Institute and "Best of Palm Beach" by The Palm Beach Post in the interior decorating category. She won a 2021 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Award, two 2020 LUXE Residential Excellence (RED) Awards, and a 2020 TCI Top Women in Business Award. In 2019, Krista was one of the selected designers for the prestigious Kips Bay Show House in Palm Beach. She is the recipient of two 2018 American Society of Interior Designers Crystal Awards, a 2018 LUXE Residential Excellence Award and three 2017 American Society of Interior Designers Design Excellence Awards. She is proud to be an adjunct professor of interior design at Parsons School of Design.
Her work is regularly featured in many publications including Architectural Digest, Decor, Luxe Interiors & Design, Florida Design, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Southern Style At Home and Cottages & Bungalows.
After living in Manhattan for ten years, Krista, her husband Eric (a serial entrepreneur and technologist) and their two children (Griffon and Skylar) escaped the madness for paradise. Krista is a serious food lover, secret chocoholic, and avid Poker player. Proud mama to Rocky “Rockstar”, her Portuguese water dog. Meet Krista!
ERIC ALTERMAN
Cofounder
Eric is the founder of numerous venture-backed technology companies, including MeshNetworks, MILCOM,Triton Network Systems, flowthings, Flow Corporation, and KickApps Corporation. He is an advisor and investor in multiple startups, with a focus on software design and operations. Eric is also a recovering attorney, with a background in intellectual property, licensing and litigation.
Contact: eric@kristahome.com
MADY GROW
Marketing Manager
Mady grew up in Great Falls, Virginia, and moved to DC after college. She studied Media Arts and Design at James Madison University with photography, graphic design, and film studies minors. Her love of art and communication came from her grandmother, a painter who lives in Sarasota. You can find her exploring museums, finding new restaurants, or browsing bookstores in her free time. She is a self-proclaimed shopaholic, and her love language is gift-giving.
Contact: mady@kristahome.com
CATHERINE HILL
Client Relations Manager
Raised in Connecticut, schooled in RI, and a current FL resident, Catherine is well versed in all things classic, coastal, and in between. With a double major in both Painting and Graphic design, from Salve Regina in Newport RI, as well as pursuing her residential interior design certificate from RISD. Catherine’s experience encapsulates a broad knowledge of design, marketing, and luxury client services. When not in the office, you will find her enjoying family time either playing in her family's annual golf tournament, traveling, gardening, or at the beach in RI or FL (admittedly she has an East Coast bias). Her positive attitude and zest for finding a positive solution in any situation makes her a great addition to the KH team.
Contact: Catherine@kristahome.com
BARBARA GERLACH
Senior Interior Designer
Barbara received her Master of Art degree from Iowa State University and has had the pleasure of designing several award-winning projects, especially one with world renowned architect, Renzo Piano. She has designed several outstanding Midwest residences including the remodel of the Iowa governor’s private wing of Terrace Hill, the historic Iowa Governor’s Mansion. Barbara has two design mottos. The first is, “there are no problems in interior design, just fantastic opportunities for creative thinking!” The second is, “once you get the bones right, the beauty emerges.” After raising their family in Iowa, Barbara and her husband have reclaimed the sun, sand, and surf lifestyle, this time in Juno Beach, FL. She swears her best creative thinking is done paddle boarding and practicing beach yoga.
Contact: barbara@kristahome.com
KIRSTIN KAPLAN
Interior Designer
Kirstin holds an Interior Design degree from Palm Beach State College and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida. Her love of design started as a child when she was watching her dad work with architectural blueprints. When not at the office, you will find her at the beach with her family...a true Florida girl! Kirstin just purchased her forever home on 1.5 acres in Palm Beach Gardens and has big plans for the redesign. She has a great eye and a fresh, modern point of view that elevates every project she works on and aligns perfectly with the KH style.
Contact: kirstin@kristahome.com
MELISSA PLANK
Purchasing Manager
Melissa was born and raised on Long Island. Growing up, (before HGTV) she would watch Bob Villa’s This Old House on Saturday mornings instead of cartoons and would frequently request designer drapery and furniture for birthday gifts! She has an Associates Degree in Interior Design and 15 years of experience in the industry, working for manufacturers, showrooms and designers throughout South Florida. Melissa enjoys cooking and entertaining. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children and two adorable pups.
Contact: melissa@kristahome.com
ADAM YOUNGBLOOD
Construction & Project Manager
Adam has over ten years of experience in residential construction with an emphasis on cabinetry, trim and custom millwork. Passionate about providing outstanding client service, he has worked in almost every aspect of the construction process, from condo flipping to commercial production to upgrading beautiful estate properties throughout South Florida. He prides himself on being able to handle all aspects of a home project with ease and understanding. A Denver native, Adam moved to South Florida in 2017, and feels fortunate to call this area home. When he is not at work, you will find him playing the drums/bass guitar, watching football (Go, Broncos!) and exploring the Palm Beaches with his wife and daughter.
Contact: adam@kristahome.com
KALEY BOGDEN
Senior Associate Interior Designer
Kaley is a recent graduate of Florida State's Interior Architecture and Design program. She was born and raised in New Jersey, and moved to Palm Beach county a few years ago. Kaley is a strong believer in designing spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional environments to improve one's mental health. She is an AutoCad and Photoshop whiz with an even tempered personality that brings a pleasant calm to every project she works on! When not at the office, you will find Kaley enjoying the outdoors, working out at Orangetheory or spending time with friends and family.
Contact: kaley@kristahome.com
DANIELLE GIORGIO
Senior Interior Designer
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Minor in Italian from the University of Notre Dame and has over 12 years of experience as an interior designer. Danielle grew up in Greenwich, CT, where her love of interior design began. Danielle has worked for world-renowned interior design firms over the course of her career that has been featured in prestigious publications, such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Luxe Magazine. After living in New York City for years, she traded in the hustle and bustle of city life to move to Florida to enjoy the sunny and active lifestyle that comes with it. Danielle's design philosophy is: "How can we take your vision and make it better?" She loves mixing the old with the new and using color, pattern, and lots of texture while keeping spaces serene and calm. When not at work, you can find her on the tennis courts, riding horses, or at the gym.
Contact: danielle@kristahome.com
JAMIE BRIGHT
Assistant Designer
Jamie is a born and raised Florida girl through and through. She decided to go back to school as a new mom with a one-year-old baby and received her degree in Interior Design from Palm Beach State College. Her background includes years of construction, accounting, and business operations. She loves designing with colors and patterns and enjoys the entire process while working alongside the KH team. In her free time, she enjoys time with friends and family, cooking/eating, boating, and laughing at her 3 goats and flock of chickens.
Contact: jamie@kristahome.com
SARA SHERMAN
Design Associate
Sara received her degree in Interior Design Technology from Palm Beach State College. Sara is a valued member of our team, always willing to help wherever needed with a positive attitude and meticulous follow up. On weekends you will find her somewhere by the water or riding on her Harley. Fun fact: Sara traveled throughout the United States playing the trumpet for Drum Corps, one of the world’s most elite and exclusive marching bands.
Contact: sara@kristahome.com
EMILY KUSBER
Purchasing Coordinator
A San Francisco, CA native, Emily traded the Golden Gate for the Palm Beaches in 2022 and has been part of the Krista + Home team ever since! Emily has worked in several different industries throughout her career and has found her niche at Krista + Home as our Purchasing Coordinator. When she is not working, you may find her crafting the perfect at-home latte or espresso, baking a batch of cookies for the office, watching constant reruns of New Girl or planning her next adventure with her husband Ryan, and her four dogs Louie, Ansel, Dante and Karen.
Contact: emily@kristahome.com
ANDREA BOND
Administrative Assistant
Andrea has 15 years of experience working in the furniture industry. She loves the Florida lifestyle and says she “would never make it in the snow”. Her passion is working with others and putting a smile on teammates and clients faces by solving their problems seamlessly. When she’s not at work, you will find Andrea enjoying time with her husband and three children.
Contact: andrea@kristahome.com
HELENE MCLAUGHLIN
Accounting Manager
Helene has worked in the interior design industry for over 35 years. She has had the privilege of working with clients from Princeton to Palm Beach, including a few famous musicians! Helene was a Fine Art Major at Beaver College and studied interior design at Philadelphia College of Art and Parson's School of Design. When she is not in the office, she enjoys watercolor painting and knitting.
Contact: helene@kristahome.com