Modern Balinese Bungalow

This project was a truly a joy to work on. When I first met the client, she had compiled a thick vision book with clippings of the vibe she wanted to create for her complete gut renovation of this waterfront beauty in North Palm Beach. As I looked through her inspiration photos, I noticed that she loved globally inspired pieces and the client told me Bali was one of her favorite places on earth. I decided to call this design “Modern Balinese”. This home is definitely a modern beach house in every way! There are gorgeous views of the water from every window, and a stunning koi pond at the entry.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

In the kitchen, I selected these statement organic pendants by MadeGoods and sleek black cabinetry. The black stone on the backsplash and counters is repeated in different areas throughout the home, as is the wood paneling on the ceiling. The modern barstools are by Palecek.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

The couple has four(!) dogs so they did not want rugs in the home. We added a gorgeous wood look tile and comfortable seating to add warmth. We layered lots of texture and wood elements, with organic and earthy accessories.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

I designed the dining chairs below and they are available to purchase online as part of my furniture line, The Krista Home Collection. These chairs are extremely comfortable and I love mixing the elegant upholstery with rustic elements.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

The master bedroom features organic seagrass wallpaper and a built in fireplace with cozy sitting area. I love the black opium pendants by Forestier Paris and the antique iron four poster bed by Oly Studio.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

This home office faces the water and has such gorgeous light. The sliders open up to a beautiful veranda where you can watch the boats go by. The rich wood on the built-in bookshelves add a sleek vibe, making this the perfect spot to work from home.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this Modern Balinese design! Stay tuned as we will be adding the full project to our portfolio soon.

Interior Design by Krista W. Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

From Dated and Drab to Modern and Fresh: Before & After

This lovely family purchased a beautiful home in a gated country club community that was in need of some serious refreshing! We took the home from drab and dated to modern and fresh! I love how this home turned out. A great before and after story (doesn’t everyone love those?)

The before and after of the kitchen below is truly astonishing. It is a perfect example of how important lighting is to a space. I have a girlfriend who told me she has been trying to convince her husband to switch out the fixture in their entry for years. Finally, she just did it while he was at work, and he could not believe how much it transformed the entire space. He had to see it to believe it! That is the same thing that happened in this kitchen below. We really did minimal work on this kitchen… but switching out lighting made a BIG impact.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

When we started, the living room was a big stark space, like a blank canvas. I wanted to fill the room with warmth and comfort, so I added layered fabrics and textures to create an inviting space where the couple could relax with a book or entertain with friends with cocktails (there is also a custom bar, not shown in these images).

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

I love this fresh blue and white master bedroom we created! We used crisp whites to balance out the color, and a plethora of yummy fabrics for the pillows, draperies and upholstery.

The powder room is always a fun room to take a little bit of a design risk, so we added some fabulous wallpaper. The mood for the design is modern coastal, and I love the texture in the vanity we selected. Better than the old dated and heavy one, right? The powder room is a room where you know guests will be, so it is always fun to go bold,

In the dining room, scale is always important, and you can see how in the “before” photo the table is too small for the space and it is overall lacking warmth. We swapped out the dated chandelier, added some textured wallpaper for warmth, and a rug to ground the space and section off the table. Finally, I love the wood elements we brought in with the reclaimed walnut console and the legs of the upholstered chairs. The addition of the beautiful drapery in happy blue and white carries through the palette we created for the rest of the home. It creates a nice continuity.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

I hope you enjoyed this fun Before and After story! I am excited as we move on to Phase Two of this project – renovating their FIVE bathrooms! Stay tuned…

2021 Design Excellence Award – Traditional Bathroom Design

We are so honored and excited to have won a 2021 Design Excellence Award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). We won in the category of Traditional Bathroom Design. This coastal and fresh master bath was designed for a beach home in Juno, Florida. I love the soft blues and organic materials we used throughout.

The textured wallpaper is by Wallquest, the lighting is by Hudson Valley Lighting and the marble is by Stone Gallery USA.

How To Mix and Match Throw Pillows

A sofa without throw pillows is like a blank canvas to an artist! Mixing and matching the right combination of throw pillows will create a designer look and can truly transform a space. Throw pillows serve a variety of purposes. They can be used to accentuate a seating unit or upholstered piece of furniture and can serve as an anchor for the entire decor in a room. Pillows are also used to provide comfort! There is nothing like snuggling up on a sofa with the perfectly overstuffed throw pillow. People often ask me how to mix and match pillows, so I thought I would share a few tips.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Choosing throw pillows may seem easy, but it is actually an art! The right combination of throw pillows on your sofa, bed or chair is everything. With so many choices available, it can be tempting to just buy some pillows and be done with it, but there are actually some good rules to follow when selecting out your throw pillows. Choosing the perfect pillow combination can be a daunting task. The possibilities are endless – size, shape, material, etc., but don’t worry! Mixing and matching fabrics can actually be fun.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

I like to choose a combination of colors for my throw pillows; three is a good number to start with. Then, I select patterns. My go-to’s are usually a stripe, a textured/solid and a pattern. But sometimes, I will switch it up! If you choose a bold print for one of your patterns, start with that pillow first and go from there.

In a living room, I usually choose five different fabrics for pillows. Typically, 3-4 throw pillows for the sofas and 1-2 throw pillows for the chairs.
It is great to vary the sizes of the pillows on a sofa. I layer them, with 18″ to 24″ squares. It is nice to include a lumbar pillow, too. The lumbar size will add some variety, and they add comfort as well – always a bonus!

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

I find that choosing pillows is very personal. I like to match the personality of the room with the personality of the pillows.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Mixing up your throw pillow patterns can give your room a more fun and unique look. You can make the most of your space and show off your personality by choosing a series of pillows that match but have nothing in common.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Finally, make sure to use a down or down alternative insert, so cozy! If you are buying inserts and pillow covers separately, make sure the insert is at least 2″X 2″ larger than the size of the cover.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Perfect Blue and White Bedroom Retreat

There is something about blue and white. It is just one of those color combinations that is so elegant, classic and versatile. I designed this crisp blue and white bedroom retreat for a wonderful couple who recently relocated to Juno Beach, Florida from New England.

The vibe for this entire home was French inspired. I refer to it as “Classic Coastal meets South of France” and this bedroom definitely fits that description! I loved mixing the classic coastal elements, like the crisp white shiplap with an abundance of designer patterned blue and white fabric. I added antique accessories and a hand beaded chandelier as the focal point to the space. We wanted to space to look current, so we added fun wallpaper and texture with the luxury rug and linens.

This bedroom retreat reminds me of a luxurious suite you might find in an upscale country inn…elegant but cozy and welcoming.

I hope you will enjoy this visual tour of the space! Scroll down to the bottom for all of the sources.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Jessica Glynn

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Jessica Glynn

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Eve Greendale

SOURCES:

Drapery: Stout

Wallcovering: Orlean

Nightstands: Century Furniture

Lamps: Currey & Company

Rug: Stanton Carpet

Bed: Bernhardt Furniture

Bench: Bernhardt Furniture

Chandelier: Currey & Company

Side Table: Lexington Home

Armchair: Century Furniture

Linens: Matouk

Console: Asian Accents of Palm Beach

My Favorite Natural Stone: Marble

Marble is always my first choice for materials due to its stunning beauty, durability and wide array of textures, colors and patterns. Once your marble is installed, it will stay beautiful for years to come. To me, it is the ultimate choice for a luxurious home and I love using it in my designs whenever possible.

There is just something about the warmth, beauty and character of a natural stone that just resonates with me! I put it in kitchens, bathrooms, home bars and entryways. It can be used on floors, fireplaces, countertops and backsplashes and walls.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Some people are hesitant to use marble because they worry about cleaning and durability. Another great (and natural) option is Quartzite. Also, there is a new sealing product out now that is a game changer for marble! It is called Azerocare by Antolini. This product guarantees that if applied, your marble will not scratch or stain.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

The bathroom below is marble fabulous! We used marble on the walls, floors and counters. So beautiful, right?

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Bookmatched marble truly makes a statement! Bookmatching is the practice of matching two or more marble surfaces so that they mirror each other, giving the impression of an opened book. I used this technique in the master bathroom I designed for the Kips Bay Show House in Palm Beach, Florida.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Pro Tip: A great way to seal your marble is to use Stain Proof Plus, always my go-to! And, I love Opustone, which is a local company we use to source marble.

Tween Boy Spaces – Miami Cool

I have said it before – the key to designing for kids is to get them involved. This is especially true for tweens and teens! I love it when homeowners pay close attention to their kid’s spaces and don’t want to scrimp on furniture or materials. I recently designed a waterfront urban coastal townhouse in Miami for a wonderful family with two tween boys. I loved working with this family, because they have great style and they agreed with me that the kids’ spaces should jive with the design of the rest of the home.

Designing for tweens can be tricky. You want to choose pieces and styles that will have some staying power, but they should still function for who they are before they enter those teen years. The cool factor is very important here! Try choosing neutral pieces to anchor the room (like a bed, desk, etc) and then you can switch up the accessories later if you need to. Now, if you are going to invest in nice pieces, you want to make sure that it is something your child really likes and not just something that you are fond of. In this day and age kids spend a lot of time in their rooms and I think it is important to create their own little oasis where they feel safe and happy.

The game room below is fun and comfortable but most definitely high on style! From the Dolce and Garbana wallpaper textured wallpaper to the structured sofas and modern artwork, this is a space for kids that does not disappoint. The vibe is upscale but cool, kind of like a hip boutique hotel.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

The little guy who inhabits the bedroom below is obsessed with all things music. He is super creative so I wanted to add some fun pops of color throughout. The dresser is from Four Hands and the wallpaper is by JF Fabrics. I love the large knot pouf that I found from a cool artisan on Etsy.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

If you have an impressive sneaker collection, you need a place to display the shoes, right? That was the top request from this tween. I have a son around the same age so I understand the importance of sneakers! We added a masculine leather bed and textured moody wallpaper to get the right vibe. The modern sconces give it an upscale and clean look.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

This is the second home I have designed for this family! I thought I would share the boy’s rooms from their first house to see how their style has evolved as they have grown.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman

Recognize the artwork in the shot below? He liked it so much that he wanted to include it in his new room.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Coming Soon: New Tile Collection with Tilebar!

I am so excited about the upcoming launch of my newest collaboration with TileBar. The new collection, which will be available in April is called “The New Palm Beach”.

As I have mentioned in other posts, “The New Palm Beach” is our signature style at Krista + Home. It is a fresh take on the iconic subculture and introduces a new design style that can be implemented anywhere. This style blends classic elements with modern touches; a soft, neutral palette with pops of bright color; and a luxurious look that’s livable. My version of coastal décor is subtle, organic and fresh. At Krista + Home we deliver this style with a passion for serving our clients to the very last detail, from beginning to end- maintaining this true Palm Beach Tradition.

Photo by Nick Mele

The designs for this tile was inspired by botanical elements in Palm Beach. The collection includes mosaics in brick, floral and leaf. Materials used are Black Jade, Rose Desert and Calcutta Gold.

This tile can be installed so many places…as backsplash, on a kitchen wall or floor, on a bathroom wall or floor. I especially love it on a shower wall or floor! There are many outdoor options as well including using it for your pool, patio floor, or on any outdoor wall or floor. Below see some of my sketches and renderings for a sneak peek!

This collection is a follow up to my previous collection at TileBar, “Eighty by Krista”. A homage to the 1980’s, these designs are still available and are quite popular. Below is a “Kiss” marble tile from the collection.

My new collection is quite different and I can’t reveal too much, but let’s just say for those blush decor lovers out there….I see you! Stay tuned for the launch of The New Palm Beach tile collection, which will be available for sale on my website and at Tilebar! More photos and information to order are coming very soon.

How To Style A Coffee Table

Styling is such an important part of home design, and it is one of my favorite parts of the process. The right objects on your coffee table can truly set the entire vibe of the space, details are everything! Have fun and try different things. I like to refresh my coffee tables each season to spice things up. Here are a few tips and ideas for how to style your coffee table like a designer:

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Start with something green! A plant or floral can anchor the table and give the eye a focal point. The plants can be real or faux. I am amazed at how good the faux plants and florals have gotten lately…it’s truly hard to tell the difference.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Vary the shapes and textures of your decorative objects. I love sculptural pieces and always like to add one that is a bit unusual or fun…something unexpected. An heirloom or something collected while traveling could act as a conversation starter and gives personality to the space.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

My favorite item for coffee tables? Books! I have a slight obsession with beautiful coffee table books. They are so fun to flip through and double as a great decorative element. Stack them!

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

A great way to organize objects on your coffee table is by using trays. The trays can hold remotes, coasters, candle lighters, etc. They especially work great on ottomans to provide a firm surface.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

Adjunct Professor of Interior Design

I remember walking the halls for the first time as a graduate student at The New School. I struggled to find my way around the city, but thanks to my super smart roommate Sally I learned the subway system in a flash. After graduating with a Masters in Fine Art (at The Actors Studio no less) I returned to study design at Parsons School of Design.

This neighborhood and these buildings became my home away from home. I found myself, my true passion…and my husband Eric. It began a beautiful journey, and now I’m proud to announce that it’s come full circle.

Image courtesy of The New School

When Parsons called recently and asked if I would like to be an Adjunct Professor, I was truly honored and had to accept! I have been teaching an interior design course virtually via Zoom and it has been wonderful to work with these talented students and to share my experiences and expertise. Going back to my roots has really been so inspiring and has even helped me in my day to day design business. I have learned so much.

Teaching at Parsons School of Design has been so rewarding, and I feel like I’ve returned home.

Image courtesy of The New School

A Stylish Home Elevator

I recently designed a four story beach house in Juno Beach, Florida and the homeowners wanted an elevator. I worked with the builder to create something that matched the rest of the home. We wanted to elevator to have a fun, designer vibe, because why not? There is no reason that an elevator should be boring.

The elevator I created is as beautiful and fresh as the rest of the home. The color palette of blues and creams is consistent with the entire space and many design elements from the rest of the space are echoed here.

I started with a fun text treatment on the door of the elevator, added some beautiful millwork in a crisscross pattern under the railing and installed some mirrors. Who doesn’t love a little touch up on their way upstairs? :). Even the ceiling has millwork and flattering lighting, of course!

I think the flooring is my favorite part. We did a large statement hand painted tile, that we also placed in the laundry room for consistency. Its a nice little surprise when the elevator door opens.

Krista Watterworth Alterman, creative director of KRISTA + HOME. Photo by Eve Greendale.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Eve Greendale.

Krista Watterworth Alterman, creative director of KRISTA + HOME. Photo by Eve Greendale.

A Quick and Easy Home Office Makeover

Home offices are so important these days! People want to create beautiful spaces to work from home. We took this home office from dark and dated to light, bright and fabulous! How, you ask? The main way we did it was with….drumroll, please…paint! Lots of it. We painted the built-in bookshelves, desks, ceiling beams and cabinets for a true transformation.

The first photo is the “before” of the space. Scroll down to see the fresh new office we created for our clients!

Before

Can you believe what a difference a fresh coat of paint makes? The ceiling alone is impressive. You can now appreciate the architectural details instead of focusing on the dated mustard and beige colors. We also added some wallpaper for a modern touch.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Eve Greendale.

The best home offices will have a little lounge area with a couch. You will see in the “before” photo below that they attempted this. But we made the space sing with a larger sofa, a beautiful area rug, coffee table and modern artwork.

Before

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman. Photo by Eve Greendale.

How To Transform Your Kitchen Without Renovating

When I met this fun Boynton Beach family of restauranteurs they told me that they loved the layout of their home and they really loved the “bones” of the house, but that it needed a lot of updating. Full scale renovations, especially for the kitchen and bathrooms, however, can be quite costly. They asked me how they could maximize their budget and get a full refresh without lots of construction and renovating. I get this question a lot in my design firm, which is why we created our Furnishing Service. I always say that it is truly unbelievable what furniture and paint can do. The service also includes floor coverings, drapery and lighting. Add in some accessories and you can see a TRUE transformation of your home! In the kitchen below, we painted the cabinetry and added new hardware. We added some gorgeous wallpaper and replaced the barstools. A cost effective way to get a complete kitchen makeover. The results speak for themselves…

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

The original breakfast nook had a built-in banquette. I usually love this type of seating, but all of the dark finishes and pillows made this space feel so heavy. We wanted a light, bright and happy eating area, so we removed the built in and added a beautiful table with chairs upholstered in high performance fabric for easy cleaning.

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Cabana Bath: Before and After

In South Florida, many homes have a bathroom off the pool area that we refer to as the cabana bath. The cabana bath is a spot where people can change and shower before enjoying the outdoor areas poolside. This space is important, as it likely will be used by guests, and is often connected to the interior of the home so it doubles as a typical guest bathroom. I recently designed a cabana bath for a family in Boynton Beach, Florida who wanted to change their dark and dated space. The original design was old world/mediterranean style, which was very popular in Florida about 15 years ago. In the “before” photo below you will notice that there is a lot of brown with dark and heavy accents.

The homeowners wanted something light and bright, a happy and cheerful space. Right up my alley! I chose a fresh blue and white palette for this cabana bath, will lots of fun and coastal design elements. We painted the cabinets a french blue and added gorgeous wallpaper and statement tile on the floor. The marble backsplash adds an organic touch, and the brass accents on the mirror and hardware give the room a current and upscale look. One way that we were able to really maximize the client’s budget was by not replacing the cabinets. I noticed that the cabinets were high quality wood so we simply painted them. What a transformation!

And, now….for the big reveal! Drumroll, please….

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Eve Greendale

Residential Excellence in Design (Double!) Award Winner

We are so honored to have been awarded two 2020 Residential Excellence in Design (RED) Awards by Luxe Interiors + Design magazine. The RED Awards honor excellence, innovation and the best residential architecture, interior design and landscape architecture projects across the country. The award winners were announced last week in a lovely virtual ceremony. My team and I gathered to watch the awards with some Rosé, and we were so excited to hear that we were winners! It is nice to be recognized for your work and it was so fun to celebrate.

There was an extremely impressive panel of judges this year…I have been admiring the work of these individuals for years and am so honored to know that they liked my work!

KRISTA + HOME won awards in the Bathroom and Kitchen categories. I am excited to see my projects featured in the upcoming September/October issue of Luxe Interiors + Design! I hope you enjoy these photos of the winning kitchen and bathrooms that I designed.

KITCHEN

2020 Residential Excellence in Design (RED) Award: Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn

BATHROOM

2020 Residential Excellence in Design (RED) Award: Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman, Photo by Jessica Glynn