From a very young age, Kristan Cunningham had an astute eye for design. She received a scholarship to study interior design at the University of Charleston in her home state of West Virginia. After college, she headed west to Los Angeles to enter the "glamorous world of design". She kicked off her career landing a job at one of L.A.'s premiere furniture showrooms, climbing the ranks from sales associate to buyer, where she quickly earned a reputation for her furniture designs. In 2001, Kristan became a resident designer for a renowned kitchen design firm in L.A.'s hip and trendy Design District.

After an appearance on Home and Garden Television's popular series Designer's Challenge, Kristan was asked to join the HGTV family. In 2003, she became the host and lead designer of Design on a Dime, the hit show with a fresh approach to budget conscious style. Recently, Kristan was given the challenge of designing and executing a couple's dream wedding on Design on a Dime's first primetime special. Her on-air appearances have grown to include popular design segments on Today, The Wayne Brady Show, Life and Style, Tyra and Live! With Regis and Kelly.

Kristan hit bookstands in 2003, featured in the best selling book Design on a Dime: Achieve High Style on a $1000 Budget. It was quickly followed up with the equally successful Six Steps to Design on a Dime. Other books featuring Kristan's designs include HGTV's Kitchen's, and HGTV's Bathrooms. Kristan is also a contributor and Lifestyle Expert for Redbook magazine's Marriage Institute. In 2004, Kristan and her fiancée Scott Jarrell, purchased the home of renowned modernist architect Conrad Buff. Their extensive two-year renovation was documented in a five part series featured in Better Home and Garden's DIY magazine. In addition, Kristan has made several public appearances in support of Goodwill Industries.

Kristan resides in Pasadena, California with Scott and their adorable yorkie, Floyd.