Believe it or not, I recently designed a three room New York City apartment for $5000 (including bathroom and kitchen). My Room Recipe was simple: Cheap Mod Chic! The homeowner is sophisticated, understated and sweet so I had to incorporate these three “spices” to create the perfect pad for her. Check out the transformation…

White ceramic tile backsplash $11
High gloss furniture paint & KILZ primer for cabinets $20
IKEA Lansa drawer pulls (6 sets) $40
Benjamin Moore Grand Rapids #835 wall paint $40

Pottery Barn Glacier Blue velvet drape $340 (splurge!)
IKEA Knappa pendant lamp $25
KAS Adelaide Bedding from Bed Bath & Beyond $100
Ben Moore Iced lavendar #1410 wall paint $40

West Elm Scoop back barstool $270
IKEA Leksvik bar table $130

Post your RECESSION CHIC design tips and photos!!

Author: Krista Watterworth

Krista Watterworth considers herself a true multi-tasker: mom, author, television personality, and interior designer. Krista starred in four seasons of HGTV's Save My Bath as host-designer and her new HGTV show called Splurge & Save airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30pm EST. She has quickly gained celebrity for branding her unique aesthetic. "I like to find out your intimate secrets, and then create an entirely personal world around that."

Krista Watterworth has written 194 articles for us.