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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.

 

Article chairs surround the dining room table, which were designed by Watterworth-Alterman and crafted by California-based artisan Scott Prince of Hammer Fine Furniture. A Safavieh table lamp perches on a Bernhardt Furniture Company sideboard beneath artwork from RH. The light fixtures are pendants from Visual Comfort.
The kitchen serves as an additional entertaining space. Barstools from Room & Board pull up to an island, designed by Rachel Eve Design. The pendants are from Visual Comfort. A Thassos and Bianco Carrara marble chevron pattern from Soho Studio Corp. forms the backsplash paired with Shaker-style cabinetry. A Zuo ceiling lamp lends geometric flair above a dining table from ModWay, and a custom bench by Hammer Fine Furniture is covered in Kravet fabric.
A sunburst mirror from Surya plays off a flush mount light fixture by Arteriors in a foyer that boasts metallic finishes and a contemporary edge. The art piece is also from Surya, and the blue chest is from the owners’ collection.
A soft glamour fills the master bedroom thanks to a Kravet bench, an Arteriors light fixture, an upholstered Lazar bed, Matouk linens, and a bolster pillow in Harlequin velvet. A midcentury modern–inspired sitting area includes a Lazar sofa dressed in Osborne & Little fabric and RH zinc side tables. Wallpaper from JF Fabrics and Kravet draperies wrap the room in warmth.
The renovated master bathroom is awash in a mix of luxurious marbles and glass tiles installed by Amecol Granite & Marble. The tub is by Victoria + Albert, and the light fixtures are from Visual Comfort. The custom floating vanity is by Rachel Eve Design.
A quartz-topped desk and custom cabinetry with open shelving by Rachel Eve Design provide ample workspace and storage in the office. A pendant from Visual Comfort is suspended from a ceiling clad in Wallquest wallpaper, and an Eames-inspired chair from Modern In Designs and a drinks table from Century Furniture introduce a midcentury modern touch.

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