Architectural Digest (online)
A Midcentury Modern Florida Home with an Airy West Coast Vibe
Palm Beach Gardens designer Krista Watterworth-Alterman blends contemporary touches with mod furnishings
Outside, the architecture of this Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, home follows a familiar Mediterranean vernacular. But inside, the midcentury modern vibe is unmistakable. To master this dueling blend of styles, Krista Watterworth-Alterman turned to sculptural lighting, mixed metals, and mod furnishings, giving her 30-something clients a warm and welcoming residence that is at once on-trend and timeless.
Design by Krista Watterworth-Alterman, Photos by Jessica Glynn
Watterworth-Alterman began by cleaning up the home’s exterior with the help of Shane Carroll of Carroll Carpentry. “Infusing modern style into this type of architecture is a challenge,” she says. “It must begin with simplifying the walls with an arctic color palette, one that will allow any interior architectural details to shine. Then, the interiors are infused with organic materials like warm woods and natural stone to lend warmth and dimension.” Watterworth-Alterman punctuated a neutral backdrop of creams and grays with vibrant peacock and rich magenta hues. And to further modernize the home for the family’s needs, she flipped the functionality of certain rooms to create a flow more conducive to entertaining.
It also speaks to the couple’s urban sensibilities, as both share a love for Manhattan and Miami. This downtown sophistication appears throughout the home—in the fresh and eclectic office, the open, airy family room, the stylish kitchen that mixes classic marble with modern concrete, and a master bedroom rich with texture and quiet glamour. Even the children’s wing, complete with a homework station and a playroom for gaming, oozes hipness. And in each room, fashion-forward light fixtures that act as jewelry for the home create a common thread. “Mixing metal finishes was very important,” Watterworth-Alterman says. “The popularity of brass has been fun for me, but many people also love black iron and polished nickel. I pushed the envelope a bit with these clients because they were willing to take chances.” The result is an atmosphere that is laid-back enough to be family friendly for the kids and chic enough for the owners when they’re in the mood for hosting friends. It’s something the designer fittingly calls East Coast California Cool.
In a Florida home designed by Krista Watterworth Design Studio, an RH drinks table and Lazar chairs herald a ‘60s vibe in the lounge, where a striking blue photograph by Seth Resnick pops against a smokey mirror from Beacon Glass. A lighting fixture from Arteriors and sconces from Visual Comfort & Co. create party-ready ambiance. Watterworth-Alterman reupholstered the sofa in Link Outdoor fabric from Jeffrey Michaels and added an Uttermost mirror to complete the look.
A chandelier from Arteriors finishes the family room, which features a Lazar sofa and ottoman, a Knoll Womb chair, and a rug from Stanton Carpet. Tree-stump side tables from ABC Home lend a rustic element to the space, while Romo sheers frame a view of the natural surroundings. An Anthology wallcovering lends texture to the media cabinetry.
