10 Ways to UpStyle Your Closet

I love a beautiful closet and think it’s one of the easiest ways to enhance your life.  A beautiful closet makes your clothes and accessories look better and I believe it can also make you feel your best each and every day.

Many of the design clients I work with struggle with making the most of their closet, from organizing it to making it a design statement like the rest of their bedroom.  No matter how big or small your closet is, there are some design tricks you can use to make it a beautiful, functional and inspiring space.

1.  CREATE A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION

If you don’t have a walk-in closet, don’t let that stop you from creating a dynamic first impression with your closet.  Painting your closet doors, adding trim work or using wall paper to add a graphic punch is a great way to up-style your closet.

2.  ADD PAINT OR PAPER

Adding a little pizazz to the inside of your closet will not only energize the space but your clothes will look more glamorous surrounded by pretty paper or paint.

 

I love the idea of wall-papering the inside of a closet door.  It creates such a pretty backdrop to display outfits against.

Paint your closet walls your favorite color which is sure to lift your spirits.

3.  ORGANIZE BY COLOR

 

Organizing your clothes by style first (shirts, pants, skirts etc.) and then by color will give your closet a stylized feel and make getting dressed easier.

And don’t forget that the hangers are part of your style statement so use all one style of hanger to give your closet a streamlined and  cohesive look.

4.  KEEP IT ORGANIZED

I can’t stress how important an organized closet is to starting your day on a good foot.  Keep like items together and use shelf dividers to keep things tidy.

 

5.  USE STORAGE BOXES AS A STYLE ELEMENT

Storage boxes are another great organizing tool.  Invest in study boxes with stylish details.  Storage boxes can become part of your closet style!  If you come across plain boxes at the thrift store, an inexpensive roll of wrapping paper and double-sided tape  can transform them into decorative boxes in a flash.

6.  PUT THINGS ON DISPLAY

I love to incorporate decorative accents into a closet space.  Hanging a piece of art or displaying accessories or personal care items on decorative risers can transform your closet into a special space.

7.  MAKE IT PERSONAL

If space allows, why not incorporate a small vanity desk or chaise into your closet space.  It my not seem like you’d hang out in your closet but I promise this will become a special retreat for you.

8.  ADD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR

One of the easiest ways to up-style your closet is by hanging a chic chandelier or pendant light.  This change alone will make your closet feel special and personal.

9.  ADD SEATING

Ok, who wouldn’t want this gorgeous ottoman in their closet.  Seating, whether a chair, stool or ottoman will give you a place to put on your shoes and turn your closet into a salon.

10.  ADD A RUG

Adding a decorative rug as a style layer in your closest is a quick and easy up-style tip.  Go bold or stay classic but layer a rug to give your closet a sense of warmth and coziness.

If you’re looking for ways to make your closet a more inspiring space, try one or more of these Closet UpStyle Tips!

Happy Decorating!

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

all images can be found on MY DREAM CLOSET pinterest board.

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Room of the Week–Closet Inspiration

I have an entire board on Pinterest dedicated to My Dream Closet.  Most of the images are over-the-top elaborate, extremely large and filled with elegant details.  While most of us dream of a closet space like that I’m also drawn to a small and intimate closet space like this one.

 via Better Homes and Gardens

I love that this armoire was given a new life and turned into a special space to showcase the finishing touches to a wardrobe.  The hooks to hold necklaces and bracelets are ideal to add function and the mirrored doors make this the perfect spot to primp. 

Every fashion treasure has its own space and is made to feel special.  That is the makings of a great closet!

And, this makes me think of armoires in a whole new way!

 Enjoy the first weekend of October!

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Room of The Week

While everyone can’t have a closet as spectacular as this one….

via

Everyone can have a closet that is stylish, pretty, functional and inspirational, regardless of size.

 

via

 

 

via

 

Tricks of the Trade:

*  Organize your cloths by silhouette and then color!

*  Invest in some pretty boxes to store accessories, tees and seasonal items!

*  Display this things you love…jewelry, scarves, handbags!

*  Add decorative accents like wallpaper, paint, accent rugs, a chandelier and mirrors to give your closet the feel of a decorated room!

*  Keep things neat and tidy…organization is one of best styling tips around!

 

So, what stylish touches are you going to add to your closet??

 

 

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5 Ways to Make Your Home Comfy & Cozy

I’m working on a design project involving a new townhouse that the owner has lived in for a year, but has yet to decorate to any degree.  During our first meeting, the client expressed a desire to create a home that was pulled together and styled, but above all comfortable and cozy.

I hear the words comfy and cozy a lot when working with clients because somehow creating environments that convey those feeling is something many homeowners don’t know how to achieve. 

Creating a comfy and cozy home is really all about incorporating elements that you connect with and that have meaning to you.  

It’s about FIVE simple things…

 

1.  Decorate How you Dress

Whenever you use colors in your home that you feel good wearing, your home will immediately take on a feeling of comfort.  The color does not have to be all-encompassing but could be an accent within a neutral room that allows you to connect emotionally with the space.   

2.  Crave out a Personal Space to Retreat

Every home, no matter how big or small needs nooks and crannies that allow you to escape and recharge.  Cozy up a chaise next to a window to create an intimate reading area

Or, create a built-in sleeping nook to take an afternoon nap.  Even a chair and side table tucked in a corner will do the trick.  A cozy home always has a place that seems intimate and special.

via BHG

3.  Add Plants

This may not seem like a big deal but plants really do make a home feel cozy and comfortable.  The addition of natural greenery adds warmth, enhances the air quality and creates a connection to with outdoors which adds an instant sense of comfort.  Try adding a few plants to the kitchen windowsill, or create a tabletop vignette with plants in pretty pots!

4.  Surround Yourself with People you Love

The addition of family photos is a great way to make your home feel comfortable!  Connecting daily with the people and moments you treasure will not only create an environment you love to be in, but it will also make guest in your home feel connected to  you!

5.  Engage your Sense of Smell

Your home should emit smells that relax you.  Candles of course are an option but so are flowers and scented decorative sachet.

design tip:  Did you know that the first time you burn a candle is the most important? 

If you allow your candle to burn out to the edge the first time you light it, you won’t get that small center ring that never expands resulting in wasting half the candle or more.  Most medium size candles take about 2 hours to burn to the edge the first time they are lit.

 

I love the idea of a sachet on a hanger for adding a wonderful and comforting scent to your closets. 

   Lavender is one of the most pleasant and healthy fragrances you can use in your home.

 

So, when in comes to creating your cozy and comfortable home, have you implemented these FIVE elements? 

 

 

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services~

all images via pinterest

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Room(s) of The Week

 

A place for everything and everything in its place. Plus a touch of glamour!

via pinterest

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10 Design Ideas I LOVE

1. DECORATING WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT

2. WALLPAPERING THE CEILING

3. DECORATING WITH BASKETS

4. ADDING FUN KNOBS TO A SIMPLE FURNITURE PIECE

5. HIDE THE TV WITH SLIDING DOORS

6. USING TWO SHOWER CURTAINS INSTEAD OF ONE

7. PAINTING YOUR FRONT DOOR A FUN COLOR

8. HANGING A FLOATING SHELF IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

9. CREATING WALL ART WITH BUTTONS

10. TRANSFORMING A BASIC LAMP WITH A UNIQUE LAMPSHADE

  {click anywhere on the image to enlarge}

 image source

Chalkboard Dresser,  Chalkboard Table, Wallpapered Ceiling, Baskets, Drawer Knobs, Sliding TV Doors, Shower Curtains, Painted Front Door, Floating Shelf, Button Art, Lampshade

 

 

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

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5 Organizing Ideas I’m Loving

I’ve done a bit of organizing and de-cluttering around my place lately and am working to create storage that is pretty to look at and easy to manage.  

I’m looking for ways to maximize every square inch of closet storage and bring some order to my kitchen cabinets.  Of course I turned to Pinterest for some organizing inspiration and found 5 really easy and stylish ways to bring some order to the chaos. 

• I love the idea of hanging bars on the inside of a closet door, creating more storage for rarely used items or in my case for my ever-expanding handbag “collection”.

 

• I use a variety of storage containers in my bathroom linen closets, but love the idea of making them a bit more decorative with ribbons and tags.  Tags are very practical for storage in a guest bathroom, letting your guest know where needed toiletries are kept.

 

• Not only do I love this idea for storing measuring cups, making them readily accessible, but the conversion chart is brilliant.  No more flipping through cookbooks trying to find out how many ounces are in a pint.

• Lid organization is one of my biggest kitchen storage issues.  Currently they are all stacked on top of each other, but this idea of bars on the door gives me hope.

• As a self-proclaimed gift wrap hoarder, I’ve tried plastic garbage bins and those under-the-bed plastic storage bins and nothing has really worked well.  I’m really liking this idea of a metal container on wheels.  Not only can you see the paper easily, but moving the bin around would be a breeze.

Aren’t these ideas great?  They are all pretty easy to implement and really elevate everyday organizing to a new level.

 

Since I’m in the middle of my organizing binge, I can’t show you the finished results of the spaces I’ve been working on, but I will show you a few highlights.

 

My dollar store shoe bins are getting prettied with decorative photo tags.

I’m putting Command Hooks to work on the inside of closet doors to hold handbags.

And, I’m adding decorative storage bins to my closet and laundry area.

 

I’ll show you the finished areas once they are all done.  Stay tuned!

 

Do you have any good organizing tips?  Please do share.

 

 

 

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A GIRL CAN DREAM, CAN’T SHE

I am one of those super organized people who always makes the bed before I leave each morning, never leaves dishes in the sink, stuffs my handbags with paper so they will hold their shape and cleans up my desk each night before I leave work.  When it comes to my closet, my organization skills fall apart a bit.  Not because I don’t try, but because I just don’t have enough space to hang by color, sort by style, fold beautiful stacks or see all my shoes at one time.  If I won the lottery, yes, I’d pay off all my bills, but I’d also build my dream closet, inspired by these beauties…

This closet was designed by Steven Gambrel, almost like a kitchen would be…lots of  function without giving up a bit of style. I love that everything is behind closed doors.

I love the painted wall in this closet.  Painting your closet walls is a quick and easy way to add a bit of style.

This gorgeous closet belongs to my design crush Nate Berkus!

Super organized, stylish and chic!  The hat boxes and storage bins are a classic touch.

In my dream closet, organizing my jewelry would be high on the list.  And I’d sort it by color just like this.

The wallpaper in this closet is so fun and whimsical.  And I love how the chandelier adds a bit of high style.

Black cabinets, or white cabinets…what’s a girl to do?

OK, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DREAM! 

This closet space was designed for Mariah Carey and is only a small section of her entire closet.  The knobs on the outside of each unit allow you to hang up selected outfits and I love that each space is individually lit.  The white cabinets, floor tile, crystal chandelier and stylish furniture really make this space glamorous and sophisticated.  How pretty!

So, If I never win the lottery and get the chance to build out my Mariah Carey dream closet, I’ll organize my tiny space and make it as pretty as I can.

But, a girl can dream can’t she!

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