Krista’s design team had a blast shooting promotional photos at the Four Arts Gardens on Palm Beach. Check out some of our favorite images below.

Photography by Kristen Stephens.

If you’ve never visited the Four Arts Gardens, you’re missing out! The landscaping and lush greenery was simply beautiful. We shot most of our photography in front of pink Bougainvillea hanging from tall lattice adjacent to the main gardens. The sun was sweltering hot and the air was thick and humid, but we enjoyed every minute.

For more information about the Four Arts Gardens, check out their website here!

For more information about my team, see our About page.

A fun feature of one of my designs on the fabulous JOSS & MAIN!!

“This room is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on the intracoastal waterway. My clients are a young boating family that wanted an updated, chic coastal look minus the coastal kitsch. This is the great room where dining, entertaining, and everyday living occurs. There were many focal points in this room including television watching, a fireplace, and the spectacular water view, and we tried to cover all those needs with an unconventional furniture plan. The house is appealing for its openness therefore furniture and finishes needed to flow and coordinate throughout the entire home.”

One of our clients in North Palm wrote a glowing review. It made me feel so good that I had to share it with everyone. Read on and smile with me! Some iPhone photos for your enjoyment.

To whom it may concern:

Krista Watterworth and her team to helped us create our new home in North Palm Beach and what good luck and good fortune we won when we selected them!

Creating a new home is never easy. Creating a new one, when you are older and have lived your life in different periods and different places, is hard because you want to open up to the new, but hold on to what you have been and who you think you are. You do not want to sacrifice and compromise because this should be the time you do not need to sacrifice and compromise. But there is never any such time- not at least for most of us. Creating a new home is about managing expectations and trying to marry and multiply imagination and expertise to create a space and an environment that is you, not just buying a bunch of things or telling someone to fix it up and returning to discover what they have done. A home is about you not about them.

The site of the condo we chose is nice, but not grand, a ground floor condominium in one of multiple 3 or 4 story buildings, arranged around an inland waterways, each side by side, each pretty much indistinguishable from the others. But a good enough locale nonetheless and in any event it is not the outside looking in that matters, but the inside looking out. The development was a product of the 1980’s and so the size and layout were more generous than most recent products. That was a big advantage. On the down side, however, our condo had several previous owners, each of whom seem to have added bits and pieces to the walls and ceilings as if to mark the property as their own, the net result was- well you can imagine. Or at least you can imagine what it might have looked like; the trick- the skill, the expertise- was imagining what it could look like and how to get from here to there.

We were relocating from Chicago but before Chicago we had been elsewhere. We were bringing most of the furniture, some of which we had purchased over the years, but much of which went back several generations. A few pieces from England were truly beautiful, but almost all of what we called our ‘art’ were inexpensive pieces- treasures to us however-from many of the countries and cultures we had been privileged to visit as part of our professional lives.

We chose Krista based on a Google search for Palm Beach Interior Designers. Her work looked light and bright and all the things within a room seemed to belong with all the other things is a room. There was a completeness and continuity to the appearance. But these were pictures of other people’s rooms and would she be right for us given the raw materials- our rooms, our furnishings and our budget- that she was starting with?

She was! From start to finish, she and her colleagues have been superb professionals. Krista looked at the challenge and laid out how she would work for us and with us at our first meeting. The plan she outlined, the commitments she made, the sequences she outlined- everything happened just as she promised.

They organized and supervised. But we were a team. They did not dominate. They supported us. They took the suggestions we made and either implemented them or improved them so that they more closely represented what we wanted than we had been able to express.

We selected the contractor based on personal recommendations from friends and Krista and he worked perfectly together. The specialists that Krista selected were all excellent. Krista does not have to be in charge of everything. Just make everything work and everyone feel valued and involved.

Much of our furniture had to be recovered and some reconstructed to create the overall sense of space and comfort and quiet elegance we were looking for. The results were beyond anything I hoped for. Our classic and her Florida greens and whites were made for each other.

She identified suppliers and supplies and all the bits and pieces that we needed. She and Timm were our hands, eyes, and ears while we were elsewhere. But they never went off on a tangent and they were great about staying in touch.

The costs were almost exactly as estimated. Of course, choices had to be made while we were underway but these were legitimate and we were the ones who made them. Krista and her team were financially responsible and prudent.

And so, we have our place- on time and on budget. A home, different from anything we have had before, yet with so many of the things from before, a home we can enjoy together, a home and refuge for us and for our children and their children.

We recommend Krista Wattersworth and her team without reservation and we would be pleased to confirm this personally.

Allan Sniderman

Edwards Professor of Cardiology

McGill University

Thank you Restaurant Development & Design and Valerie Killifer for a very cool interview! I love your magazine and I’m so excited to be a part of it!

Krista Watterworth Alterman of Krista Watterworth Design Studio in Jupiter, Fla., was the star of two HGTV shows and recently teamed up with host Robert Irvine to provide design solutions on Restaurant: Impossible. rd+d asked this restaurant design pro to share a few kid-friendly ideas.

rd+d: What should operators consider when looking to design a child-friendly restaurant concept (both architecturally and from an interior design POV)?

KW: Comfort and safety are keys. Various seating options are a must, the cooler the better. Fun, brightly colored high chairs or boosters will appeal to even a stubborn child. Booths, upholstered seating, and round or square tables with soft edges are real life savers. Furnishings laminated in vibrant hues will appeal to the youthful eye and create an overall happy mood. Adequate seating in reception is an absolute necessity! Parents with children waiting for tables need a place to relax especially with infants and toddlers. I waited for a table at a boutique restaurant with a screaming baby while I lived in Manhattan. My husband was out of town and I was on my own. If I had a place to sit and feed her a bottle the whole ordeal could have been avoided. Changing tables in the bathrooms and storage for strollers are also important elements when laying out the new design. Restaurant owners, designers and architects should give these features similar credence as ADA requirements if they want families as repeat customers. Trust me, if a family likes a certain restaurant they will return again and again. Our lives are based on consistency. Sound design is important (and often overlooked). My kids love to be in a bustling environment but want to leave ASAP if a restaurant is too loud. A good sound designer (or a little Google research) can help determine which areas of the restaurant need sound absorption or reflection. Carpeting, cork flooring, or sound absorbing acoustical tiles are a good place to start. rd+d:  What are some easy changes that operators can make to existing locations to appeal to more families with children?

KW: A new branding strategy is a great jumping off point. When I design restaurants for Restaurant: Impossible, I create a brand that incorporates a new logo in line with the new color scheme. Don’t sacrifice chic for kid friendly! Keep the branding fresh and modern to appeal to parents too. Fun elements throughout can be easy fixes. Think organic shapes, geometric patterns, and interesting textures. I designed a restaurant in Connecticut and incorporated a cool wood slatted wall with an integrated fish tank. If you don’t have a children’s menu, create one! That’s probably the easiest change to make. Include fun options for kids with food allergies such as grilled chicken nuggets or sliders with gluten free buns. Oh what I would do for a restaurant that offers carrot sticks, grapes or apple slices! Families will dine out during the week so it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of slow nights. Offer fun kid activities like balloon animals, face painting, or discounts on kids’ meals. Distractions are key and can come in many forms, but coloring and activity books are amazing and relatively easy to incorporate. A restaurant I designed in Florida had a jar filled with large shells and sea stars, each kid was allowed to take one when they came through the door. I also find that restaurants with open kitchens are just mesmerizing to kids. My children are transfixed on the kitchen madness. Some parents may disagree with me but a television with Nick Jr. playing non-stop would make many parents with young children ecstatic. Just sayin’.

rd+d: Do you recommend color changes to walls, etc. to appeal to younger diners and their parents?

KW: Definitely but only if done tastefully and in moderation. Using color properly is not for the novice, so I recommend hiring a professional to consult on color palette.  The best color palettes for bold accents are: 1) Primary colors, your basic blue, red, yellow, and green; 2) Jewel tones, such as sapphire, ruby, and emerald, and; 3) Neon which is certainly on trend. Doing lighter tones of these hues with a gray base would be more in tune with modern style.

rd+d:  What’s on your “top five” list of priorities for kid-friendly restaurant design? 

KW: My five key priorities would be: 1. Comfort. You must have seating 2. Activities. Distracted kids are happy kids. 3. Entertainment. I love my children. You should too! 4. Color. No one likes boring décor, least of all kids. 5. Sound design. I like when I can hear myself think!  

Thanks Two Haute Mamas!

THM has tapped HGTV star Krista Watterworth for her expert take on chic, yet functional home décor. Below Krista lists her advice for having the best of both worlds when it comes to interior design:

I’ve been designing homes for over ten years, and many of my clients are young families with children. When I’m approached by these clients, they are simply terrified they will make a wrong decision with regard to furniture, fabrics, rugs, cabinetry, carpeting, etc. As a mother of two young children, I have been there, and, yes, I have also made the mistake of buying the white Flokati rug only to have used suckers and bubble gum tangled in the fibers only hours after laying it down. Trust me: I have made some mistakes, even as an experienced designer. My motto used to be “Fashion Over Function.” However, as an ever-adapting mom, that motto has become “Fashion with a Touch of Function.”

If you’re struggling with making durable, responsible design decisions, I’m here to provide you with answers to common questions. Mind you, these are real questions from real clients and real solutions that I have offered:

1. I want marble countertops, but aren’t they a pain to maintain?

The honest answer: When you choose marble, you’re bringing a natural material into your home. Because the material is porous, marble can be prone to staining. Although marble is usually treated with a penetrating sealer upon installation, it is still recommended that you clean spills right away to be 100% sure no staining occurs. It’s also important to reseal the stone once a year to keep stain resistance at a maximum. If you’re savvy with paper towels and don’t mind sealing your countertop once a year, I say go for it!

2. I love a wool rug, but is wool stain resistant?

Having a fabulous rug in your home is heaven! I can’t even tell you how much a rug can change the tone and mood of a room. My clients often believe synthetics are more durable and stain resistant, yet nothing could be further from the truth! Wool is a naturally stain-resistant material that can last for decades if cared for properly. The only reason I would recommend a synthetic is if you change your rugs as often as you change clothes! Personally, a rug for me is a long-term relationship.

3. Why are you using flat paint in my house? Is it washable?

I love flat paint for two reasons: 1) It hides wall imperfections. When you increase a paint’s sheen, you increase its reflective properties. The shinier the wall, the more apparent imperfections become. After all, home is manmade and with that comes human error. 2) Flat paint looks modern. When I see really shiny walls, I’m reminded of the worst parts of the 80s!

Long story short, many paint manufacturers have created durable, washable flat paint. I normally use Benjamin Moore Premium Interior Flat, and I haven’t had any complaints yet! Semi-gloss in bathrooms and on wood trim is recommended.

4. What kinds of fabrics are the most durable?

I live in South Florida, and we live much of our lives outdoors. I use indoor/outdoor fabrics in many of my interiors because they are incredibly durable and fade resistant. Fabric companies are expanding their exterior and commercial grade fabric lines to include chic offerings. I usually have my fabrics treated with an eco-friendly stain resistant chemical that creates an invisible barrier around the fibers. Spills literally bead up and can be wiped off the furniture with your hand. Also treating the back of your favorite fabric with an organic non-isocyanate based polyurethane prevents liquids from ever penetrating and getting beneath the fabric (consult a professional). Simply blot and rinse.

5. Should I put in wood floors? Won’t they get damaged from toys, wagons, etc.?

Lately I’ve been using engineered wood flooring for my Florida clients because of the humidity – it’s less susceptible to warping and water damage. Composite hardwood is manufactured with scraps and waste so it’s more eco-friendly. That said, I rarely recommend laminate wood flooring. It is advertised as more durable, but once a scratch penetrates the veneer, it’s over. You can’t simply restain it because it’s synthetic. Wood-look ceramic and porcelain tiles have become very popular. For families with older children it’s a safe bet. Although you can soften it up with area rugs, for toddlers the surface is rigid and inflexible. At the end of the day, hardwood or engineered wood is best. An oil-based stain is most durable because the oil penetrates and absorbs into the wood surface. Scratches and repairs can usually be made by simply adding oil to a damaged spot. Annually treating floors with a petroleum free oil finish is recommended.

For all the haute mamas (and dads) out there, I hope you find this information useful. Make decisions for your home that are stylish and smart, and you’ll never regret them!

It was fun. It was crazy. And it’s now on the DIY Network for your viewing pleasure! The Upcoming schedule for my episode “Wide Open House” is below.

We staged with Badcock Furniture this year and the challenge of dealing with only one furniture manufacturer is often an issue. Most designers believe in variety in order to produce a more unique look so we often match custom upholstered pieces with specific fabric selections with one of a kind furnishings or interesting retail offerings. However these days everyone seems to have a little tiny designer inside that screams out “I can find it cheaper at Overstock or One Kings Lane”.

What we do as professionals is give you something super special. Rob on The Vanilla Ice Project is looking for something a bit different. First of all, it’s for television and designing for the big screen is a bit different. We have many team members to answer to, and of course only one furniture distributor. Plus, it’s a staging not a full on design for this particular show.

For me, it’s all about being surrounded by boys with tattoos using power tools. Yay! Here’s my work from this year. Vanilla Ice Project DIY Network TV Show page.

• June 06, 2014 5:00 PM e/p
• June 14, 2014 11:30 PM e/p
• July 18, 2014 3:00 PM e/p