RoomRecipes

Make Your Own Mercury Glass Vase

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:42:54 +0000

On my HGTV show Splurge & Save yesterday I made mercury glass vases to add a nice tough to a traditional style space. I’ve been asked how to do this project so I thought I’d post the very easy DIY recipe for making mercury glass vases on your own!

Have a mask and gloves before you begin. Use a shiny, glossy metallic spray paint (like Silver Metallic Reflective Finish Spray) and large mouthed clear vases in a size that fits your hand easily. To prep, cover the outside of each vase with plastic and taped it tightly along the outside top (to keep spray paint from getting onto the outside). Be sure tape stays on the outside of the vase – don’t fold over the edge.

Do this project outside because fumes will spray back at your face. Spray paint the interior of the vase covering most of it. The trick is keep it light, don’t over spray. Just coat the surface once.

Go back in with a cotton ball and randomly pat around the surface. Antique mercury glass is often peeling away or unevenly distributed. And if you really want an authentic look, spray a light coat of gold metallic spray paint over the silver, and pat with cotton ball in a random pattern. When mercury glass ages it often has a gold/silver mix.

Splurge & Save: Chic Outdoor Space

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:32:04 +0000

On my show last week we met Stephan and Pascal Jean. They had a huge backyard that was for the dogs, literally. They empty space had tons of potential. They wanted an entertaining family oasis but had no idea how to spend their budget of $8500. That’s where I came in. . .They are from the Caribbean and this design style is a vibrant blend that mixes colors & fabrics. Tell me what you think of the finished product!

SPLURGES:
Gazebo, rattan arm chairs & spa hot tub

SAVES:
Deck tiles
Plants & accessories
Ambient lighting with paper lanterns
Double lounger
Cabana
Teak Dining Table & Chairs

Splurge & Save: Tuscan Country Kitchen

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:31:23 +0000

On my show Tuesday I did some major kitchen surgery for a total of $9000. Keep in mind, granite counters alone often cost that. Annilese grew up a city mouse. Surrounded by concrete, she was craving a taste of the country, so she saved up, and bought a home in the suburbs. She loved her house, but not her mismatched contemporary kitchen. She really wanted a Tuscan inspired country kitchen and that’s what I gave her! Check out the transformation:

AFTER TRANSFORMATION

Here’s the breakdown:

SPLURGES:
$5500 on hone black granite countertops
Copper cookware $1000
Art work of hand painted tiles $200

SAVES
Refacing cabinet doors done by Tom for $400
$300 dining set and painted the chairs
I built out a butcher block island top for $75
Inexpensive ceramic subway tile back splash
Paint
Small appliances and accessories

Splurge & Save: Modern Playspace

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:02:59 +0000

On today’s episode, with a budget of $4000 and not much furniture to start with, I had my work cut out for me. What it needed? Color, storage and seating. It was an empty space because Dianne had a habit of returning everything she buys, and they were pretty indecisive about what to do next. But they needed a family room they could use regularly as it’s open to the kitchen. So…. what do you think?

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS ROOM RECIPE:

Chiasso Aero convertible sofa – white
Benjamin Moore Paint in Kiwi #544
Pottery Barn Kids Cameron Cubby System
IKEA Mammut Stool
IKEA Poang Chair
IKEA Sater Sofa in white

Splurge & Save: From BLAH to MOD

Krista Watterworth — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:22:51 +0000

Yesterday on my show Splurge & Save I took a traditional living room space without a lot of pizazz and gave it a mod face lift. It was a great success! The homeowners seem to really love the design. Here’s the before and afters as well as the Room Recipe for this design.

Before Blah, After Mod

My favorite part was the customized wallpaper with personal photos embedded done by a very talented group J Wallace LLC. What do YOU think?

Custom Wallpaper with Family Photos by J Wallace LLC

INGREDIENTS:
Bo Concept, Quattro Sofa $3,250 SPLURGE!
West Elm, Round Braided Rug $250
IKEA, Knappa Pendant Lamp $24.99
West Elm, Rectangular Wood Floor Lamp $199
Design Within Reach, Eames Molded Plywood Coffee Table $849
IKEA, Anno Inez Curtain Panel $9.99 (tryptic to hide TV)

Handmade Toy Storage Seating & Splurge Sofa

Thanks to my amazing design coordinator Saudia!

Organize the Kitchen

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:17:31 +0000

The nesting mode is taken to new levels when one is preparing for a family addition. For me, the key word for every room is organization. It’s time to strip down to the basics. I’m starting with the kitchen. What does a gal do when she finds ten identical plastic spoons in various different drawers, cabinets, storage boxes, and empty grocery bags? I guess I had deja vu every time I went to the grocery store. The same light bulb was going off a la Groundhog Day.

I love my pantry drawers!

I may shop hormonally at times, but I’m obsessed when it comes to organization – especially in the kitchen (and the bathroom for that matter). One of my favorite products for great kitchen design is simple – turning your shelves into drawers – I did it in my pantry and love it. A great company, aptly named ShelvestoDrawers.com, provides a good product. It works for a kitchen redesign as well, and will add value to your home. I’m sure you’ve heard my girl Lisa LaPorta say it a million times on Designed to Sell – kitchens sell homes!

I wrote Eight Easy Tips Family Friendly Tips for Kitchen Organization which is a collection of things I’ve learned from my own kitchen design efforts. I’m embarking on my own kitchen organization over the next few days, and I’ll keep you posted on how many anxiety attacks I’ve averted with Snickers bars.

Lots of drawers are great for organizing!

Prepping for the Burbs

Krista Watterworth — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:21:04 +0000

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

Round Two: Preparing for 2nd Bambina

Krista Watterworth — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:25:44 +0000

I thought it would be fun to write about preparing for the second child from a “home” perspective. This opens up a variety of hormonally charged topics. So get ready for a wild ride! We just made the move to The Burbs from The Big City, and I’m due in May 2010. A girl this time. Wahoo!

On my first shopping expedition, in an effort to keep costs low, I decided to start with Target. I had never been to a Target before, and I quickly came to realize that Target is literally Heaven right here on this very Earth. It is the bread to my butter. The fried to my chicken. The glaze to my Krispy Kreme!

So I went for it and decided to get the toddler room ready first (Griffon is 18 months). This way he’ll feel his importance in the process of “nesting”.

I gave him Pottery-Barn-taste on a Target-budget. We have three bedrooms in our condo but will be upgrading to a larger home next year. So nothing is truly permanent. But I wanted to get his Big Boy Bed in place, and also provide a bed for guests if need be.

The Room Recipe Ingredients:
Oopsy Daisy too Transportation Wall Art Collection
LA Baby 3-Shelf Wood Changing Table – Cherry
Espresso Stokke® Sleepi™ Crib
Charles P Rogers Zen Platform Bed
Pottery Barn Havana Utility Baskets

Red Decor

Krista Watterworth — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:29:11 +0000

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching it had me thinking about my complicated relationship with the color red. Designing with the color red can be complex, much like the color itself. Red is intense and many color experts describe it as the color of passion, power, love and danger. I used the color red in a bathroom for a client who was passionate about Brazil and they loved it.

I did a little research on what the color red means in cultures worldwide. I find this helpful as a great jumping off point for the design of a room. For example, I designed a master suite for couple trying to conceive and for them the red walls symbolized love, luck and passion. Here’s what color expert Kate Smith says:

• Russia: Beauty
• China: Good luck & fortune
• Japan: Mythological
• Jamaica: Slang for drunk
• India: A red mark on the forehead brings good luck
• Hindu: Joy, life, energy, and creativity
• Islamic, Hindu, and Chinese brides: Love

I also designed a room in thirty minutes for Pier 1 Imports to raise money for Safe Horizon. Pier 1 Imports provided the home goods and we were given British Colonial style. Needless to say, I amped up the color red and it gave the room punch.

If you’re thinking about designing a room with the color red take a nod from the color itself and just do it! Be daring and bold. Good luck (no pun intended)!

Hearts for the Home on Valentine’s Day

Krista Watterworth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:04:56 +0000

I love hearts. Is that an oxymoron, like jumbo-shrimp? Hearts represent love, what’s better than that? And they’re often red or pink, two of my favorite colors to design with. Here are some of my favorite heart inspired home accessories. Happy shopping!

1. Orrefors My Heart Clock is beautiful and unique ($75). The entire My Heart Collection has great stuff including vases, bowls and votives.

2. My Beating Heart pillow is not only an adorable accessory, it also simulates the heartbeat from deep meditation. Form AND function!

3. Have A Heart plate is made from recycled glass and it’s a chic way to dress up a romantic dinner on Valentine’s day, an anniversary, birthday, or “just because I love you”.

4. Aptly named Heart of the Home offers a variety of different heart stencils. Less is more with a stencil theme this specific. Or try Wall Words for an inspirational love themed quotation like “Enter with a happy heart”.

5. Heart Art in New York City is a spot I pass by often. They have the coolest framed 3D hearts with tons of themes to choose from. I bought my mom a heart covered in a subway map. She loved it!

Would love your thoughts and comments, but these are some things that I GOTTA HAVE!