Indian River State College interior design students visited Krista Watterworth Alterman’s interior design studio for a conversation about creativity, careers, and what it really takes to succeed in the field.
A Classroom Without Walls
What does it look like when a working professional walks into a room of students and speaks the truth about the field they’re about to enter? Seventeen Indian River State College interior design students recently found out firsthand.
Celebrated interior designer and HGTV alumna Krista Watterworth Alterman hosted the students at the Mother Ship, a private event space in Jupiter. What began as a guest talk quickly became something far more meaningful. Specifically, it turned into an honest, two-way conversation about creativity and leadership. The group also discussed what it genuinely takes to build a career in design.
Meet Krista Watterworth Alterman
Krista is a Florida-based interior designer and television personality known for hosting HGTV shows including Save My Bath and Splurge and Save. She has also appeared on DIY Network’s The Vanilla Ice Project. She owns Krista + Home Design Studio, located in Palm Beach Gardens, and specializes in “casual elegance” and high-end residential design.
More Than a Guest Lecture
Krista didn’t speak at the students — she engaged with them. In addition, she took time to understand each person’s vision for their future. She offered tailored guidance rather than a one-size-fits-all speech. Her candor about the evolution of her own career, the values that shape her firm, and the challenges she’s navigated gave students a window into design life that no textbook can replicate.
“Any time our students can have the opportunity to meet with a noted designer, we are grateful,” said Tara Gray, Indian River State College interior design program director. “Krista shared her insights and experiences and what it takes to be successful in this challenging and competitive field.
The visit also included a guided tour of a space she designed for Holly Meyer Lucas, owner of Meyer Lucas Real Estate and Hype Boss Agency in Jupiter. As she walked students through each room, Krista demonstrated how thoughtful design tells a story. She showed how it connects brand identity, spatial flow, and human experience into something cohesive and intentional.
What Students Took Away
- How to combine creativity with strategy and vision with execution
- The role of leadership and empathy in running a design firm
- How design, at its best, becomes an extension of identity
- The lasting value of mentorship and authentic connection
About The River’s Interior Design Program
Indian River State College’s Interior Design Technology program prepares students for a dynamic, people-centered profession. It does so by blending technical expertise with creative vision and real-world application.
Degree & Certificate Options:
- Associate in Science (A.S.) in Interior Design Technology
- Technical Certificate in Home Staging — earnable simultaneously with the A.S. degree
- Pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree at Indian River State College or another Florida public university
What You’ll Study: AutoCAD, building codes, lighting design, textiles, commercial and residential design — plus hands-on studio experience that builds a portfolio reflecting your unique voice.
Interior Design Career Outlook & Salaries in Florida
Graduates enter a field with strong earning potential and diverse career paths, including:
- Independent design consultant
- Architectural and design firms
- Hospitality and hotel design
- Real estate staging
- Healthcare facility design
- Retail and commercial spaces
Florida Interior Designer Salaries:
- Average: approximately $65,000/year
- Experienced professionals and top earners: $100,000+/year
Education That Goes Beyond the Classroom
For The River’s Interior Design program, moments like Krista’s visit are woven into the fabric of the curriculum. This is because at Indian River State College, education extends well beyond the classroom. Technical skills matter, but so does understanding the human side of the profession. Krista reminded students that the industry they’re entering is shaped by people who care deeply. She told them that they, too, have a place in it.
Start Your Interior Design Career at The River
Ready to transform spaces and lives? Visit irsc.edu to explore the Interior Design program and take the first step toward a creative, rewarding career at one of Florida’s premier public colleges. Request info or apply today!
