RoomRecipes » Room Recipes

What if your sofa could scrub your feet too?

Krista Watterworth — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:59:01 +0000

I like to multitask. If I could take a bath, watch international news, call my mom, answer emails and feed my babies all within an hour I’d jump at the chance. That’s why a sofa made from a recycled slipper tub is just my kinda thing. On my first HGTV show, Save My Bath, I received countless requests for the hundreds of antique tubs, sinks, toilets and hardware that we were ripping out of dated bathrooms. I would often wonder what kind of man would want an old 50s toilet. Hmmm… I digress.

But this Cast Iron Bathtub Couch shows that if you’re a creative and talented DIYer then anything is possible with old bathroom fixtures. It’s a wonderful green strategy too. Send in pics of your recycled bathroom items and WOW me! This is what we call a real conversation piece.

What Do Ceiling Fans & Badonkadonk Have in Common?

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:36:08 +0000

Yes, I did say badonkadonk… check your urban dictionary if you aren’t hip to it. I came across this advertisement for Big Ass Fans and I thought that’s my kinda company. They used a catchy name that will surely gain attention especially if you like big butts and you cannot lie (thank you Sir Mix-a-lot).

Who can argue with a company who names one of their ceiling fans Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic and light. Whoa. That’s crazy talk. I can say all this because their product represents quality. Interior Design Magazine gave Big Ass Fans the Best of the Year award in 2009. Not too shabby. Anyway, check them out and tell me what YOU think.

Alien Body Shower

Krista Watterworth — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:01:41 +0000

I’m not really sure what to think of this body shower system in the shape of an alien-slash-human figure by Aquantass, no pun intended. The description is very artistic and poetic “longing for wholeness is a constant.” Hello? It spews water from it’s mouth. Odd or interesting? Someone please help me with this one. When you see it do you say WOW! or What the Heck? And BTW, what is she wearing in this picture? Something from a bad 80s porno?

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.

Make Your Own Mod Lights

Krista Watterworth — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:42:07 +0000

On my show I made some cool lighting and people have been asking how I did it. Modern lighting can cost hundreds, but I cheated the system. The Huang Family and I made our own for a fraction of the cost. Here’s the Room Recipe for these hipster luminaries.

Homemade Modern Lights

DIRECTIONS:
• Blow up beach balls – small and large
• Tape a starting point and wrap with armature wire (a sturdy wire used frequently in art projects). Smaller gauge is for small balls.
• Leave an opening at the top the diameter of a light bulb insert light kit.
• Wrap in full circles around ball in random directions. Cover the surface of the ball like a spider web. Go around approx. 100 times or until you’re happy with your coverage and can barely see the ball.
• Deflate the ball and remove it. You’re left with the silver wire.
• Stick the light kit (cord with a light bulb attached from a hardware store) down through the hole until the light bulb is in the center of the ball.
• Use 2-4 pieces of small armature wire to secure light kit in place closing in the hole at the top of the fixture.
• Hang the light kit with a cup hook on the ceiling

INSPIRATION: Random Light at DWR.com

TID BITS:
• For $10-$20 you have a modern light that could cost in the hundreds
• Lighting can turn a dark corner into a unique and creative source of radiance
• A modern style uses accessories that are elegant, shiny, and patterned in subdued colors such as silver, grey, or black

Stylin’ Summer Parties

Krista Watterworth — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:34:23 +0000

My love of interiors and design began with helping friends and family style rooms for special events. Coupled with my favorite time of the year (Summer) getting prepared for some rockin’ parties is one of my specialties. I found some great products that will be essentials to the season of fun in the sun.

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS:

Round Party Table & Tablecloth from Ballard Designs
Use it indoors and out and style your room with sophistication!

Personalized Napkins, Ballard Design
You’ll be so happy you did it! They are simple, chic and personal.

Stainless Steel Wine & Ice Bucket
You think you don’t need it until YOU DO!

Fire Pit
You’ll be so glad you did it – for telling stories and making memories.

Cool Melamine Plates, Target.com
You gotta have ‘em! Set the table right…

From Closet to Nursery?

Krista Watterworth — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:35:44 +0000

Living in New York City for ten years has made me a savvy space saver. So when it came time for baby number two (due any day now) I had to get creative with our space. I transformed two closets into a comfy, cozy room for my little angel on the way. I have a crib in my room but put a Playard with a Napper in this space so she has her own private space to rest, plus it works great as a quiet nursing room. I’ll move the crib in later. Here’s the Recipe for how I did it…

I knocked down a wall between two closets, painted the walls a very light pink, put up a fun birch tree wall decal and a crystal light fixture. I also put in a custom storage unit with plenty of fun fabric covered boxes. Also I framed some pretty fabrics in inexpensive IKEA frames. My sister made a beautiful quilt. The color palette is varied and fun.

INGREDIENTS SOURCE GUIDE:

Liberty Floral Box, Target.com
Liberty Pillow, Target.com
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Newborn Napper – Lily, Smartmama.com

Kitchen Cabinet Facelift

Krista Watterworth — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:03:22 +0000

I’ve been getting some requests on how we refaced the kitchen cabinets on my show in the Tuscan Country Kitchen. So I am posting a Room Recipe with step by step instructions. You may also want to ask Tom Zemon how he did it, since he was the man with the plan who actually put my design on the fast track for this episode. For this job, it’s best to hire a reliable carpenter like Tom. But if you’re a talented DIY-er it’s a great weekend project.

- Remove all doors from upper and lower cabinets and remove all hardware (hinges and pulls)
- Lightly sand with a rough sand paper and thoroughly cleaned to allow adherence of glue
- Cut down stock bead board made of thin composite wood to fit each door (available at Home Depot or Lowes)
- Use Liquid Nails to glue bead board to each cabinet door and secure with nails in each corner (use nail gun)
- Trim out or frame each cabinet door with 2-3″ piece of plywood and affix with nails
- Fill in all nail holes and allow dry time
- While glue dries sand, prime and paint all cabinetry framing and bases (use high pressure paint gun if possible unless you want brush strokes visible)
- Prime and paint cabinet doors (also using high pressure paint gun)

I recommend replacing all hardware and updating drawer/door pulls.

Good luck!

BEFORE

AFTER

A Romantic ‘tude Works Magic on Your Mood

Kimberly Synnott — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:34:56 +0000

This season’s nod to inner-wear worn on the outside can work wonders on freeing your inner goddess. Bustiers and lace underpinnings walking the streets of NYC — paired with a chic trouser — have never looked hotter. The feeling and look of something so soft and delicate combined with an edge of menswear has combustible results.

John Galliano at Dior channeled Lauren Bacall from her film noir whodunits as Humphrey Bogart’s leading femme fatale, though the only possible way to wear expensive lacy underpinnings (unless you are Sienna Miller on the red carpet or Kate Moss, who can get away with anything and everything) is to treat them for what they are: lingerie so pretty it deserves to peek out from under a spectacular structured jacket and thigh-split skirt.

As for the influence on interiors?? This Antoinette Sofa from Urban Outfitters (now out of stock) is the perfect combo of gender-fab. The curves are truly womanly, but the fabric (black herringbone) is a man’s suiting material. Love it!

But this Tillary sofa now available at West Elm comes in a blue, beige or brown herringbone and is mod, chic and masculine. Pair it with a soft pillow (as shown here) adding a feminine touch.