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!
FRAN SACHS
Chief Operating Officer
A senior level executive with demonstrated expertise in operating and growing service businesses, Fran has had over 25 years of success in refocusing organizations, motivating teams and driving change. Fran has extensive corporate and entrepreneurial experience, having worked in Fortune 500 companies, emerging middle market companies and start-ups.
Did we mention she's a graduate of The Wharton School of Business and Stanford? Talk about a GirlBoss!
Fran left Manhattan over 15 years ago and loves living in Jupiter with her husband Jon, their son Graham and their dog Oatie. Fran loves to go to the beach, but doesn't get there enough and will happily debate the best place to get a good slice and a good bagel in the area.
Contact: fran@kristahome.com
ERIC ALTERMAN
Chief of Product Development
Eric is the founder of numerous venture-backed technology companies, including MeshNetworks, Triton Network Systems and KickApps Corporation. He is an advisor and investor to 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. Eric heads up the newest division of KRISTA + HOME, our customized and curated furniture line. When not at the office, you can find Eric playing his guitar or quizzing us on film trivia.
Contact: eric@kristahome.com
JENN RUYACK
Director of Marketing & Product
Jenn manages all of the social media, marketing communications, public relations, branding and advertising for KRISTA + HOME. She is also heading up our new product division and the launch of the Krista + Home Collection. A graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she has worked for advertising agencies in NYC and Chicago on multiple large brands in a variety of industries, and has over 20 years of marketing experience. In Jenn's spare time she is supermom to her three children, loves to travel, and is known for lunching at the Studio where Krista holds her captive for hours of creative brainstorming. Proud mama to a sweet, Havanese mix rescue dog, Oreo.
Contact: jenn@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 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 fiancé...a true Florida girl! She is also mama to two daughters and three kitties (Bernice, Malakai, and Juliette). 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
KRISTEN BRUCE
Interior Designer
Born and raised in Maryland, Kristen moved to South Florida in 2013 and has worked for both commercial and residential design firms. She received her Master’s degree in Interior Design from The Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC and her Bachelor’s in Art History from Syracuse, where she played lacrosse. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, spending time with the kiddos and cooking. Kristen's favorite part of the design process is install day. She loves seeing the design come together and adding the finishing touches to complete the space. Kristen is a mom to two young children and a flock of friendly pet chickens.
Contact: kristen@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
KALEY BOGDEN
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
GIANNA MATURO
Associate Interior Designer
After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in Psychology, Gianna went back to school to pursue her dream of becoming an interior designer. She recently received an Interior Design degree and is very excited to now be turning her passion into a career. Gianna loves doing residential work and believes that the power of a beautiful design truly makes a positive impact on people’s lives. When she is not at work, you will find this South Florida native doing DIY projects and furniture flips through thrifting. A self-proclaimed foodie, she also enjoys dinner and wine with friends and spending time outdoors with her fiancé and family.
Contact: gianna@kristahome.com
LEAH JAY
Design Assistant
Leah is a self-proclaimed small town girl from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture from Marywood University. After graduation, Leah packed up her car and drove eighteen hours south to begin not only her career but a life of “endless summers” in Florida. Leah loves residential design because of the creative freedom and the special relationships she builds with clients throughout the design process. When she is not on site or at the office you will usually find Leah by the water!
Contact: leah@kristahome.com
TORI SNOW
Design Assistant
Originally from Merrimac, Massachusetts, Tori now calls Hobe Sound, Florida, her home. With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Interior Design from Seminole State College, Tori combines her love for creativity and functionality to transform spaces into inviting environments. She thrives on the personal connections she forms with her clients, understanding their unique preferences and needs to deliver exceptional results. When not immersed in design, Tori enjoys exploring new places with her boyfriend, indulging in her passion for boating, and embracing the beauty of Florida's beaches.
Contact: tori@kristahome.com
JOSEPH HOWARD
Architectural Draftsman
Joseph grew up in Miami and has 25 years of experience in the interior design industry as a draftsman. He considers himself a realist, as he strives for complete accuracy in his work while making it still appealing to the eye. His work includes rendering, visualization artistry and graphic design. Joseph has two daughters and when he is not working you will find him playing the drums in multiple cover bands throughout the state or riding his mountain bike.
Contact: joseph@kristahome.com
CARINA HAACK
Purchasing Coordinator
Carina was born and raised in Palm Beach County. She recently graduated from Florida State University with two degrees in accounting, go ‘Noles! She is a regular at various coffee shops in the area and loves to spend weekend mornings there with a good cup of coffee and an even better book. She recently took up paddleboarding and loves getting out on the water when she can. There's nothing like a peaceful early morning appreciating the beauty of Palm Beach. When she’s not out on the town or working, she loves spending time with her family at home and cooking up some amazing family recipes!
Contact: carina@kristahome.com
STEPHANIE MCKOY
Design Project Manager
Stephanie recently moved back to our area from the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she worked as a Project Manager in Real Estate and Construction. Stephanie holds a Bachelor degree in Communications. She has a passion for beautifully designed spaces and loves being a part of the install process where she can see a project from concept to delivery of the final touches. A mom of two teenagers, Stephanie loves living close to the ocean and anything to do with water! On weekends you will find her volunteering at a local tutorial center or at the beach.
Contact: stephanie@kristahome.com
EMILY KUSBER
Administrative Manager
Emily recently relocated to the Palm Beaches after living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 30 years. She has worked in a variety of different industries and is excited to enter the creative world of Interior Design. Emily is a whiz at keeping our office organized and making sure everything runs smoothly. When she is not working, you may find her crafting the perfect latte or espresso in her new kitchen, watching constant reruns of New Girl or exploring the beautiful outdoors with her boyfriend Ryan and her two dogs Louie and Dante.
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
RACHAEL MARTIN
Office Assistant
Rachael is pleased to return to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters for the past 13 years. She holds a degree in Merchandising from Florida State University and has worked multiple jobs in the retail industry with companies such as Escada, Anthropology and Abercrombie. When she is not at the office, you will find her spending time with family and friends.
Contact: rachael@kristahome.com