Restaurant Impossible Cap’n Cowboy
Chef Robert Irvine finds himself walking into a salty sea dog’s worst nightmare on this mission to Port Charlotte, Florida… home of the run-down, overly cluttered, kitschy and disgusting Cap’n and the Cowboy restaurant. Krista infuses the space with a mod, fun style with a contemporary color palette of gray, black and white as well as pops of bright yellow. Interesting designer tricks including a boat bar base and lots of chic flair! (Episode: IL0211ZUH)
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HGTV’s Spice Up My Kitchen
Multicolored Mess Hall
A kitchen renovation for a young family who lost their home in Katrina. For HGTV’s Spice Up My Kitchen.
When Sara Goldstein and Paul Boxer first saw their house, they thought they had found their dream home. Nicely sized rooms, hardwood floors and a great color scheme were just some of the pluses. That was until they opened the door to the kitchen. What they saw there stopped them in their tracks: vegetable wallpaper, bright-green cabinets, no dishwasher and yellow and black bathroom tile that goes half way up the wall! Host and designer Lauren Lake and carpenters Jeff Devlin and Mark McGraw will really have to work some makeover magic to make this room presentable.
To watch the transformation click here!
HGTV’s Splurge & Save Master
This master bedroom was anything but masterful. It needed an infusion of the hotel that this couple fell in love with on their honeymoon – in Africa! A vibrant, British Colonial vibe is just what the design doctor ordered. With sunflower yellow walls and all the accents that say well-traveled. The homeowners loved it because of it’s very personal connection.
Miami Home Show Master
Krista was the celebrity speaker at the Miami Home Show. She was also asked to design a room on Designers’ Row at the Miami Convention Center to showcase her design style. Pier 1 Imports sponsored Krista’s room and she utilized the Pier 1 product in a modern way. The style was chic and sophisticated. Lush faux fur, metallic gold accents and damask with a backdrop of charcoal walls.
Photography by Ginger de Vegh
West 20th Street Living
HGTV’s Splurge & Save Living
A post-modern living room for a family just settling into the suburbs from the big city. They were interested in a calming color palette, lots of sophisticated storage for the kids, and an overall urban look. Needless to say, they loved it! For HGTV’s Splurge & Save.
Leatherstocking Lane Master Bath
The Vanilla Ice Project Two Staging
I partnered with City Furniture to stage Rob’s latest and greatest million dollar home for The Vanilla Ice Project (DIY Network and HGTV).
Photography by Debby Gans
Do it Yourself Design: Have a Plan
A lot of people have a difficult time figuring out how to design their home on their own. Of course, that’s why I became a designer, so that I could help! I love empowering people who don’t have the budget to hire a professional. I’m going to be talking a lot about my tips for Money Saving Decor at the Daytona Beach Home Show this Saturday. But here’s a sneak peak:
Before you start, have a PLAN! Think like a designer if you can’t afford to hire one. Follow these guidelines:
- Outline your wants & needs first
- Ask yourself the purpose of the room
- Cut pictures from magazines & make a collage
- Choose your main paint color first
- Completely empty the room
- Then bring in furniture one piece at a time
- Don’t be afraid to re-purpose, re-finish existing pieces
- Put together a purchase list for remaining items – don’t shop without one!
We bought a house!
Dreams do come true! The reason why I love interior design is because I am so emotional about the home. I always wanted that “room of my own” – a safe place somewhere in the world that I could return to. In my dreams, this room would call me like a beacon– no matter where I was and what was happening in my life, it would engulf me upon my return like a warm, cashmere blanket. We moved a bunch when I was growing up, always looking for a stable place after my family split ways and my parents found new partners. Life goes on, but I still wish I had that room, somewhere, with my old Madonna posters on the wall (’80s Madonna of course) and my mouth guard in the side table drawer.
To make a long story longer: I am going to provide that room for my babies come hell or high water. And this is the place. Our dream home that we will make our own (with modifications and renovations). Here it is! It’s our very own warm, cashmere blanket.
Dream in Style
Have you ever fallen in love… with a bed??! It happens to me on a regular basis. All is well in my world until I stumble upon furniture that looks uber custom but isn’t. I melt, I swoon, I MUST HAVE IT! Deep breath. This Pondicherry bed from Serena and Lily does not disappoint. The lines are so curvy, luscious and femme. But if you cover it in Tobacco Linen there is an entirely masculine flavor. I love the Bark Diamond or Navy Spade fabrics myself.
Today’s Favorite Fake-Out
Looking for a fab knockoff of a Florence Knoll sofa? This morning in my pre-coffee haze I found a whopper of a deal. The Spezia Sofa from Chiasso is very chic and oh so retro, and for $598 who could go wrong (when an actual Knoll is $7,000-$9000)? Mama wants me some tweed post modern styling at a fraction of the cost!
Having a Winter Party with Summer Style
Bring a little Palm Beach style to your life this winter. Cold weather can get depressing, let’s face it. I’m not a huge fan of human hibernation. So in order to feel less boxed in and more bright, vibrant and joyful I like to bring lots of color into my home especially for entertaining. The inspiration inevitably comes from a summer or spring color palette. I designed an outdoor party space (below) with lime green and raspberry hues, as well as light, lofty fabrics. So break out the resin plates and plastic cups that you only use in the summer and put them to good use!
Some sourcing info in case you’d like to do a little online shopping!
IKEA green leaf lightweight drapes
Hot pink & lime green paper lanterns
Restaurant Impossible Sweet Tea
This restaurant in Chapin, SC goes by the name Sweet Tea and the design took on a whimsical life of it’s own. I infused modern appeal with a fresh, vibrant color palette and lots of Southern charm. One wall has a recipe for sweet tea in a serif type set, the artwork is a graphic take on country scenes, and woodwork is painted for country character. The flooring by Globus Cork out of New York is a wonderfully versatile and sustainable product. The metal school house pendants are simple and chic. From Restaurant: Impossible on The Food Network.
Restaurant Impossible Pastori’s Restaurant
Pastori’s Restaurant in Connecticut underwent a major renovation on the Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible. My design was inspired by the rolling hills and surrounding horse country of this small town. I took a contemporary stance and created a room divider from custom made barn-look doors and framed the fish tanks with a beautiful wood slat wall. A floor to ceiling mural of white horses running was a stunning focal point. And the “milk bar” is a newly built bar base housing antique style milk bottles.
