Design Notes

How thoughtful space planning, storage, ventilation, and solutions for existing construction transformed a dated Kissing Camels home.

A Japandi renovation case study about the decisions behind the finished photos: layout changes, a tricky toilet location, a relocated shower bench, a tile compromise, and delivery surprises.

Flooring, lighting, mirrors, and a water source. That’s my starting equation for a good home gym. The equipment depends on how you exercise. The room itself should make you want to show up. If we’re investing in a dedicated workout space, it deserves more thought than a treadmill pointed at unfinished drywall. Start with the floor—and your actual workout I love the comfort of interlocking foam tiles for stretching, floor exercises, and lighter workouts. They’re forgiving unde

You want a beautiful home and a clear plan for getting there. But how much of the process do you want to manage yourself? At Kristine Krupa Interiors, both virtual and full-service interior design start with a complete design plan. The difference is what happens when it’s time to turn that plan into your home. Let’s start with virtual design, because that’s the foundation of both services. Virtual Interior Design: I Design It. You Bring It to Life. Virtual interior design giv

A piano lounge, an open homework station, or a teen hangout: thoughtful ways to give your loft a purpose that fits your family.

Hardwood treads, tailored runners, and railings that feel as good as they look. The staircase details I love—and the ones I would skip.

Before we choose the perfect green or fall in love with a countertop slab, I want to understand something much more important: how your home needs to work. Where is it falling short? What do you wish felt easier? What would make you walk into the room and think, “Yes. This feels like us”? That’s where a Design Discovery Meeting begins. Two Hours in Your Home, Focused on You A Design Discovery Meeting is a two-hour, in-home design brainstorming session that costs $350. If you

A beautiful remodel doesn’t require choosing the most expensive option at every turn. It requires knowing which choices deserve the investment—and where a little resourcefulness can get you a beautiful result for less. Some features do a tremendous amount of work visually and practically. Others offer an opportunity to save without compromising the design. Here’s where I’d put your money. 1. Splurge on the Kitchen Island Stone. Save With Bathroom Remnants. Your island counter

If you’re planning a renovation, you may assume your first call should be to a contractor. You want to talk about ideas, find out what’s possible, and get a price. But a contractor bids based on scope of work and materials. Without a design plan, much of that quote rests on assumptions. And assumptions are a shaky foundation for a renovation budget. Before you ask someone to price your project, we need to define what they’re pricing. Otherwise, you’re truly bidding fiction. W

A philosophy shaped by three generations of design and eight years of teaching: function first, personal beauty, clear communication, and guidance that builds confidence.

Good taste is part of the job. Of course I want your home to be beautiful. But some of the most valuable work I do happens when something doesn’t go according to plan. And something will. We can spend hours considering every corner, every window, and every detail. Once construction begins, though, we’re working with a real house. Occasionally, that house has information it has been keeping to itself. Planning matters. So does knowing how to pivot. Some surprises have a clear

Solid core or hollow? Painted or stained? Kristine shares where to splurge, where to save, and how to choose interior doors that feel right for your home.

Are kitchen island pendants going away? Kristine shares why she is favoring ceiling-mounted spotlights, which pendant materials she prefers, and how she plans height and spacing.

Door knobs or levers? Kristine shares her practical preferences and favorite hardware finishes, from unlacquered brass to bronze, plus why hardware belongs in your whole-home design plan.

A laundry room should make an everyday chore easier. For me, that starts with a front-loading washer, a generous folding counter, and storage that puts the things I use right where I need them. Why I prefer front loaders I’m seeing more interest in top-loading washing machines, but the promise of a larger capacity doesn’t outweigh the way I like to use my laundry room. I prefer front-loading machines tucked beneath a countertop. That space above them becomes a useful place to

I have a lot of opinions about kitchen islands. When I’m designing a kitchen, the island is one of the places where I pay the most attention to proportions, function, and finishing details. It’s a big piece of the room, and I want it to feel thoughtfully designed. Here’s what I love—and what I tend to steer my clients away from. Start with a good shape My preference is a rectangular island. I like the proportions, the working surface, and the way it organizes the kitchen. Squ

Mudrooms are one of the hardest-working rooms in the house, and I’m a big believer in giving them enough space to do their job. In Colorado Springs, that means making room for backpacks, gravel-covered shoes, winter coats, and the occasional Amazon package that’s apparently bigger than whatever you ordered. A good mudroom needs more than a row of hooks. It needs a place to land, a place to sit, and storage that makes everyday life easier. A Bench and a Drop Zone Have Differen

What stays with the house, and what moves with you? Learn how hard finishes and soft finishes fit into my interior design packages, with a look at an apartment furnished entirely through soft finishes.

I use my pot filler every day. Here’s how I decide whether one belongs in your Colorado Springs kitchen—and why we should plan it while the walls are open.

My preferred sinks, faucet finishes, shower fixtures, and tubs—and how I balance beautiful details with everyday function and your renovation budget.