RoomRecipes » Dining

How did you etch the high ball glasses on Splurge & Save?

Krista Watterworth — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:03:24 +0000

Great question Bryon! In the Deco Basement I designed on Splurge & Save, I monogrammed some high ball glasses for the bar area. I bought a Armour Glass Etching Kit but any kit will do. You can usually find them at craft stores like Michaels. If your kit doesn’t come with letters, get Large Alphabet Reusable Glass Etching Stencils. I like monogramming best because it’s a personal touch, and I also like using large block capitalized letters because they are clean and modern.

Monogramming is cool & personal

Splurge & Save: British Colonial Dining

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:14:28 +0000

It was very timely that on my show this week I did a British Colonial dining room for the Herman Family. A striped wall treatment, pops of cherry red accents and lots of travel inspired accessories makes for a vintage style Colonial space with charm and mod appeal. Here’s the Room Recipe for this space:

BEFORE

AFTER

INGREDIENTS:

Splurges
• Chandelier
• Chairs
• Custom Drapery Panel
• Mirror

I painted the old 1980s sideboard

Saves
• Slip covers on new Parsons chairs
• Table – Tome built the table from a salvaged door
• Rug – faux zebra
• Striped painted walls – instead of expensive wallpaper
• Sideboard – I painted it black and changed the hardware
• Picture framed maps/birds
• Candles – we made our own!

To source these INGREDIENTS go to this link

Slap Some Bling on It

Kimberly Synnott — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:04:42 +0000

Haute Hippie couldn’t be more spot on with their Dickies-slash-necklace inspired creations. Not really sure of the correlation between a Dickie and these embellished tanks but I suppose it has something to do with the neck.

An Old Dickie

The “dicklace” as so endearingly named adds umph and sexiness to any outfit. A simple white tee with jeans, add the bling and boom you literally light up the room. I think the PR department of Haute Hippie just wanted to be a bit controversial to get attention. Marketing with a sexual connotation almost always works, yes?

The Dicklace

Similarly, a beautiful crystal chandelier dresses up and adds a sexy flair anywhere you place it. It’s the perfect ingredient for a bland space. White walls never looked so good. They’re dressed up and ready to rock with some sparkle.

Puttin’ Lipstick on a Chandelier

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:25:32 +0000

I’ve been getting a few requests about how I updated an old Holtkotter Wurzburg Brass Chandelier (a very traditional style) on my show last week. It wasn’t a real Holtkotter, which is a collector’s piece and runs anywhere from $1000 to $7000, it was a Home Depot knockoff so I didn’t feel like I was defacing history as I spray painted it.

If the original design has crystal elements, it’s not impossible to paint but it takes patience and a little research (and sometimes trial & error). The bones and shape have to work with a saturated paint color like black or white, otherwise it could be a lot like putting lipstick on a pig. We’re looking for an interesting outline. Send me a photo of a chandelier you’d like to paint and I’ll give some feedback on whether it’s worthy or not.

Here is the Room Recipe on making an old brass chandelier modern:
- Hang fixture outside on a clear, dry day a good distance from the outside of your house
- Clean it with a dry rag to remove all dust
- Cover or fill open electrical elements (like candle snuffers) with a piece of dry clothe or paper towel
- Spray entire piece with primer, I used Rust-Oleum Clean Metal Primer
- Drying time: 30 minutes
- Spray paint entire piece with paint color, I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Gloss White

Any questions? Email me at krista@roomrecipes.com…

Also this episode Old and New Dining Room Episode HSTEL-107 will re-air on June 24, 2010.

Mixing Old and New

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:48:09 +0000

On my show this week, the Sherman Family wanted to mix their cool, contemporary style with their heirloom furnishings and housewares. Designing and styling a dining room for a professional party planner definitely kept me on my toes!

It’s a fun design challenge to build a room around new pieces and old finds while keeping it contemporary.

• I created a feature wall with contemporary wallpaper and silver frames showcasing images of family history.

• I prominently displayed the Ketubah at the head of the table, the Sherman’s marriage certificate, to spark fond memories and conversation. I even matched the color palette to it!

• I set the table with Jill’s grandmother’s silverware, as well as their marriage china and her Mother’s crystal.

What are your favorite tips for featuring Old and New?

Re-purpose, Re-use, Re-define Furniture

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:15:26 +0000

In celebration of Earth Day I post some fun and easy Room Recipe Projects on how to update old or unwanted furniture with a bit of spit and polish.

SIDEBOARD

I took an old, inexpensive sideboard from my client’s mother and gave it new life. I used an espresso stain, new hardware and replaced the broken mission glass with mirror. It turned out rad. Good tip: sand, sand, sand before any paint or stain is applied. And clean the surface very well.

Old Cherry Sideboard Gets Modern Facelift

CHANDELIER

Did you buy a house with brass and gold lighting fixtures a la 1980? I took a trashy brassy chandelier and with a light sand, primer and white spray paint turned it into a contemporary focal point (on the cheap!)

It was brass, now it's got class!

Share with me some of your favorite re-purposing projects!!

British Colonial Dining

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:08:35 +0000

On yesterday’s first episode of my new HGTV show Splurge & Save I took an outdated dining room and gave it the British Colonial flair that the homeowners were craving. I splurged a little and save a lot! As promised, below is the Room Recipe for this new space:

INGREDIENTS:
- Dining table crafted from antique door and turned legs stained ebony
- Black sideboard with red panel doors and brass hardware (I re-purposed an old one)
- Asian flair red drapery
- Zebra area rug
- 4 Butter cream Parsons Chairs
- 2 Asian flair bamboo red arm chairs
- Beige/Vanilla paint for alternating wall stripe
- Map, bird and travel artwork
- Large black and brass framed mirror (same width or a few inches smaller than sideboard width)
- Large red rose centerpiece
- Traditional crystal chandelier

BEFORE

AFTER

SOURCES:
Ballard Designs Parsons Chairs in Pomeroy Gold

West Elm Zebra Rug
Great Windows drapery in Feng Shui Red
Home Decorators Narrow Display Ledge in black
Benjamin Moore Paints in Treasure Trove & Hay Stack

DIRECTIONS:
Keep in mind, a British Colonial style should have Military Red accents – it wasn’t a pleasant time for some parts of the world because it meant occupation. Thankfully, British rule was not a dictatorship. Around the time that Britain was colonizing the United States (and the planet, for the matter), taking home mementos from travels for home display was very chic. The style is eclectic for that reason, and it mixes a traditional English flair with ethnic inspiration commonly from Asia and Africa.

Have fun designing British Colonial style!

Top Five Tips for Cheap Chic Thanksgiving Decor

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:36:27 +0000

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What’s even more fun is setting the stage for a great Thanksgiving Day party. Here are my Top Five tips to make your table and room a stand out! I get away from the traditional Thanksgiving decor and keep some cash in your wallet!

Bright Centerpiece
Why not take a more sophisticated approach for your centerpiece and arrange bright orange roses in a silver urn. On the coffee table fill a large clear glass canister or large bowl with California thick skinned oranges and serve orange slice martinis to tie together the theme.

Black & White
Damask pattered paper or plastic plates are different and chic. The cool Grandeur White Black Square paper plates from Apartysource.com are a great product.

Big Branches
Place big beautiful branches from your backyard in tall planters (or buy them from Cb2.com). It’s an inexpensive way to create a large scale accessory.

Theme Gift
On each plate everyone should receive a gift that is theme related. For my Thanksgiving Day party last year, I gave away mini peppermint plants that I purchased at a local farm. I love mint and wanted to share that with my guests. I attached a recipe for Mohitos to each planter.

Toilet Paper
For something fun and different I bought Renova Orange toilet paper and put that in all my bathrooms. It definitely prompted funny conversations!

Bonus Tip: Surprising But Dramatic Inspiration
I have designed bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms around the beautiful Fall-inspired burnt orange color palette, and used dark espresso wood furniture and black onyx accessories to set it off. This may be a great opportunity to renovate! Paint an inspiration wall in blood orange and get some new sexy home accessories! Check out Overstock.com for some very cool and inexpensive items.

Also check out this post at Widwi.com — “what I did with it” and win a set of Cookware in the Quirky Turkey Table Challenge!

A Chair for the Turkey

Krista Watterworth — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:50:57 +0000

Ever had a folding chair that’s so strong it could hold a 20 lb cooked turkey while you set the table? Not that things ever go in that order on Thanksgiving… but does anyone know of a stable, non-wobbly, wonderfully comfy folding chair to accommodate those extra guests? Well JULIE SCELFO of The New York Times does… and she wrote about him in her article To Park Your Pilgrims (cute title!)

His name is Mr. ManHotness, well, actually, it’s Palo Samko. And he went shopping to find the perfect rugged and sturdy folding chair that is also stylish.

My favorite? Of course it’s $360 a pop but I love the color selection and funky lines, the Dolly Chair by Kartell. So what is your favorite folding chair? Send pics!!

Eco Friendly Gifts for the Home

Room Recipes — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:31:20 +0000

What’s a better gift than one from the heart? How about a gift that makes a positive difference in the world as we know it? I think the best gifts are those for the home. I get a lot of amazing letters from people who feel the impact of the economy and environmental issues, and the first thing they ask is “how can I make my home a beautiful escape, a retreat from the madness of life?” So we’re all looking for a change, a home that surrounds us with beauty, kindness, love and comfort. Gifts make the buyer as well as the receiver feel good, why not add extra joy and make it good for the earth too?

Eco Friendly Tableware, Linens & Candles

MyEarth360 is a great spot for eco-friendly gifts. Bring an entirely earth-lovin’ place setting including bamboo plates, napkins and beeswax candles a few days before the big party. Your sister, friend, uncle, or mother will love the thought!

Grow-A-Note Cards

Or check out the Grow-A-Note holiday cards that are made from recycled paper. Good stuff!