We were lucky enough to have a family apartment in Manhattan owned for many decades and bought on the cheap way back when. Even more fortunate for me was the gift of it’s redesign. But I had a very tight budget with a very long “honey-do” list. Before we made our big trek to The Burbs we wanted to have a cool spot to chill in The Big City that was also family friendly. Not to mention, other family members (grans, cousins, siblings) also looked forward to a more comfortable staycation…. since most people can’t afford big holidays to exotic places these days.

The Living Area

So after moving walls, removing endless floor to ceiling mirrors, ripping out cabinetry, painting, and hanging moldings – we ended up with a pretty cool pad. It sleeps six comfortably – pull out sofa, king bed, and queen murphy bed. Not to mention, one crib! These photos were taken with my iPhone so they aren’t perfect but you get the idea.

Modern closet doors

With a budget of $6500, a stellar master carpenter (and friend) and lots of elbow grease, we made it happen!

Cool glass divider!

Room Recipe Ingredients:
Crate & Barrel Tracy Recliner $899
Carlyle Custom Queen Bed Sofa
IKEA BJURSTA Dining table $149
Jensen Lewis Leather Quadra Dining Chairs
Charles P Rogers Stratford Sleigh Bed
Nurseryworks Studio Crib
Custom Closet Doors & Glass Divider Sliding Door Company

Last 5 posts by Krista Watterworth

• Make Your Own Mercury Glass Vase - March 10th, 2010
• Splurge & Save: Chic Outdoor Space - March 3rd, 2010
• Splurge & Save: Tuscan Country Kitchen - February 18th, 2010
• Splurge & Save: Modern Playspace - February 10th, 2010
• Splurge & Save: From BLAH to MOD - February 3rd, 2010

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 in 2009 will star in a new HGTV show called Splurge & Save. She has quickly gained celebrity for branding her unique aesthetic. According to Krista, designing and performing have two things in common: you have to delve into the heart of a person (or a character) to find out their intimate secrets, and then create an entirely personal world around that.

Krista Watterworth has written 81 articles for us.