Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Custom Closet Systems

One of my biggest dreams for our new home was for both my husband and I to build a custom closet system.  Each apartment, condo, townhouse we lived in had a closet system installed so we have chosen to take it a step further to create it bigger and better.  This is one of the many reasons why we chose the ROME model for it's functionality and practicality.  It allowed us to custom create our home because essentially the ROME model is one huge box.  Nearly each square foot is livable with the exception of the small, small, small location for the HVAC system running through the house from the basement to the second level.  You can easily create what you want especially with the large loft on the second level which can be turned into a fifth bedroom.  I saw one family take the loft with the two bedrooms and split them in half to create two large master bedroom suites.  Sweet!  I have also seen a family shorten the loft for a little boy's room and use the other portion by extending it through the closet to create a bonus room instead of a loft.

As for me and my house, we masterminded a wonderful option to create my dressing room and my husband's gentlemen's closet.  This allowed us to turn this side of the house into our super master suite.  I can enter my dressing room from the bathroom or the hall way.  In the past, we have worked with California Closets, Elfa, and Hubby's DIY systems.  I thought we were going to work with California Closets again; however, the customer service sucks and they are way too expensive.  I like the Elfa systems because they now have different color options and styles to choose from; but I wanted to use a custom closet system.  We did not choose Easy Closets which was another option and with their service everything is done online.  You send in your measurements and your design and they ship the product to you and you self install which at the end of the day is a DIY project which works well for people who love DIY projects.  One day while thumbing through the newspaper, I stumbled across Closet Stretchers right here in our neck of the woods!  SCORE!  I was extremely happy because they met my desire for excellent custom service, quality workmanship and easier on the pocketbook!!!  

So let the preparation BEGIN:
1.  I knew from the beginning Bedroom 2 would be my dressing room and after carefully looking at the floor plan my husband (bless his heart) told our SR to have them exclude the wall between the master bathroom closet to an create an opening to create a larger space.  HUBBY was ON IT!  Love Love Love him for coming up with this option.  He did a great job extending my idea and love him so much for this.......

2.  AND I masterminded his closet design.  I must admit he gave me a hard time because he couldn't see the vision I had for his closet.  He wanted to keep the bathroom in bedroom 3 for guests and he wanted to keep the sitting area in our master bedroom.  It took several and I mean several conversations to get him to see the vision I had for his closet.  LOL  I had to get him to see that we did not need the sitting room because we had LOADs of places to sit throughout the house and I had to get him to see that we did not need five bathrooms just for the two of us.  LOL  So I put in the  custom request to combine the sitting room and the master bedroom closet with an opened casing to create his combo gentlemen's closet.  Now that the closet systems are installed guess who is a happy camper and is in love with his new closet.  YES, you got!!

3. Lastly, I wanted us to have additional coat closet space because the little mudroom closet was not going to work for us.  My original idea was to turn the laundry room upstairs into our coat closet and build a coat closet system in the garage.  Well, we kept the coat closet system in the garage only.  I decided to use the laundry room as my "Lady Lair."

4.  Called Closet Stretchers and we designed both closet systems to both our preferences.

5.  I picked paint colors for both of our closets (Spring Romance for me and Ashen for him).  We hired someone to paint the garage, my husband's closet and my husband painted my closet that ultimately looks like a wall paper finish.  He did an awesome job.

6.  My husband picked out the lightening for my dressing room.  Too cute!


The men divided up into three different teams and they took the entire day from 8:00 to 6:00 pm to install all three systems!

Team #1
Building the Coat Closet System

They had to build the system around the Central Vacuum!
I wish I had caught this when Guardian came out to mark the X on its location. :-(
It's so beautiful it doesn't matter now, just a lesson learned! The Coat Closet has shelving for shoes with single and double hanging to maximize the space.  It made perfect sense to build it in the garage instead of trekking through the house and up the stairs.  I am still searching for a certain type of tag to label the baskets that will house our scarves/gloves/hats including the huge basket of socks for guest to put on while visiting.  



Team #2
Building The Gentlemen's Closet











The door above the basket houses the ironing board and iron.


The unit with the knob houses a pull out hamper for his clothes!



Found the chair at Marshall's!
Found the picture on the wall in our old apartment!  lol

In this picture you can see how the sitting room and the master bedroom closet was combined to create the combo closet.

Team #3
Building Her Closet
 
I love the sparkle the chandelier gives the ceiling and it looks so pretty when the the recess lightening is on too.
Credit goes to my hubby for picking our this jewel!
We found it at Lowe's for the fraction of the cost of the one I picked out at this lightening store.  

I will just use the credit for another item. :-)

You can still see that sun beam reflection from on the wall from the lightening and one of the recess lights.

The Interior Designer kept scratching his head as I described how I wanted him to build the island! I did not want it sitting in the middle of the floor and with some character.  I wanted it to be attached to the unit to give me extra hanging and storage.
It was hysterical and he was a joy to work with.
I highly recommend their services!


This is the shoes/handbags/jewelry section of the closet.
The combo towel rack and laundry basket is an all time favorite organizer that came in handy for the closet.
I purchased two of these back in 2004 from Harriet Carter Catalog; unfortunately they no longer carry it.
 I have the other one hung behind the door in our water closet instead of using the towel bar over the tub.
You can find one similar on eBay.




My Dressing Room Window View--I could sit here for hours!
I am now searching for the perfect pillows for these chests or will switch it out for the linen storage bench I found on overstock.com
The men were suppose to leave this space open for my bench;
but once they put it in I let them keep it there.
We shall see if I change my mind!  I have to work with it a little more!









My dressing room is still a work in progress.  I have pictures to hang and other accessories.  Of course, I get to organize all my clothing in the dedicated spaces.
 My husband moves quicker than I do and have most of his things inside his closet.
I am in LOVE with my dressing room and I thank my HUSBAND for being patient with my vision and for making it happen.
It's a girls DREAM!
This is Harley's Corner!
It's still a work in progress. I want to hang framed pictures of him on the wall above his house.  One of the pictures will be the largest one below or the black and white next to it.


As you can see, this is one of the many reasons why we chose to take our time and move to prepare our home.  I did not want to bring a bunch of boxes in the house without each item having it's own home.  So we prepared the space slowly but surely and will continue to do so.  
Thanks for stopping BY because I know this was a long post!!

41 comments:

  1. OMG! I died a little bit when I saw your closet. That is exactly what I envision my dream closet to look like but I don't think I'll have it any time soon. Awesome! Hubby's closet is awesome as well. Great Job!

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    1. Thank you TechMama! I loved the way it came out!

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  2. Love EVERYTHING! My mom did the same thing you did with your closet and she loves it as well. I can't remember who built hers though. I also love Harley's corner!! The pictures of him are awesome. Have you considered getting the picture printed on stretched canvas? I have several of Daisy's pictures done that way and it looks GREAT! We use Canvas on Demand because they are ALWAYS doing groupon's and sales that make buying the canvases dirt cheap.

    Mike and I hope to get our small master closet done so we can utilize the space better than it is now. This post definitely helps looking for companies to do the work!

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    1. Cami, thank you for the compliment and excellent idea!! My plan is to have a collage of pictures framed of Harley showing his different age stages. I had not considered stretched canvas. I will definitely check this out; it's a great idea.

      Glad the resources could support you in creating your closet. I truly believe in using up the space in the closets and the designs are plentiful. Have FUN!

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  3. My first thought was........OMG I hate her...JK! Holy cow girl that is he most fabulous thing I have ever seen outside of a movie......Are you sure that is a Ryan House????? I am truly impressed, like blown away impressed.....I had no idea you went THAT custom on your home....I understand now....WOW and WOW! I could never afford to do that!! I truly am in AW of it all....I dont even want to go into my closet. But then again I wear scrubs to work, no need for a fancy space (booo). But HEY who doesnt need a fancy space to feel girly...Way to go, that can't be beat by anyone......Are you sure this isnt off the set of Sex in the City???

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    1. DW, my girl!! You always have me laughing!! Thank you for your authenticity and compliments! lol Just so you know my inspiration has always been Sex in the City. I absolutely love the clothing they wear and watched the show with enthusiasm to create my own reality. And here it is...I am so grateful!

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  4. I think I could live a lifetime and never have enough clothes, shoes, and purses to fill even your smallest closet! LOL The closets all look amazing and so functional! We want to do a closet system eventually too so we might have to check out Clost Stretchers!

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    1. Very cute M! I have two storage rooms with clothes and I still don't have enough space in my new dressing room. LOL I kept telling the designer I need more hanging more hanging more hanging! These means I will be donating lots of clothing! I love love love clothing and dressing UP!

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  5. WOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! Everything is soooo beautiful! I plan on doing a closet system but you knocked it out of the park! Your ideas are amazing!

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    1. Thank you Joiful!! I can't wait to see your closet system! Let your imagination run WILD!!!

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  6. Girl, I'm speechless by just looking at your closets! I cannot wait to see what you're gonig to do with the rest of the house. You are fabulous!

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    1. My girl Danielle, you know I am having a BALL!! It's coming together slowly but surely! Thank you for the generous compliment! How is the baby room coming along?

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  7. nadase that is awesome!!! very nice job! both closets and the garage. i was looking for something for the garage and hadn't found anything i liked, that's a great idea. glad to see things are just coming right together for you guys

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    1. Asia, thank you! You get to see it in person since we live in the same community. You will love working with Closet Stretchers. They have a show room you can visit in Rockville. Ask for Robert!!! They are a family owned business--very professional!!!

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    2. will keep that in mind that's for the info

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  8. OMG!! AMAZING! Looks incredible and you are doing it so quickly!!

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    1. Thanks Elise! The planning took place months ago when we sat down to sign our purchase agreement and one of the MUST HAVES was a custom closet system. As soon as we received the keys we started prepping the house before we moved anything here with the exception of a few boxes.

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  9. Nadase... OMG!!!! that is just breathtaking !!! every single closet is amazing !!!! Your closet/room has so many great ideas!!! I love how custom it is!!! Where did you get your manequin with the pearl necklace around it? I love it! Someday we will do closet systems, or maybe just for my closet lol!!! I also love all the garage closets too!!

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    1. Thank you so much Donna!!

      Believe it or NOT--I just found the mannequin at Marshalls' and the pearl necklace from a boutique store. You can find the necklaces in various sizes at Macy's too!! Also, check out Pier One for the mannequin! Marshalls' is usually a hit and miss because there products come in the door and out the door.

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  10. There are no words Nadase - this is just beautiful beyond measure.

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  11. OMG Nadase, this is absolutely amazing! This looks like something the Kardashians would have in their house. I am so jealous! You have to share pictures of it all filled up! PS I can't believe how many shoes your husband has!!

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  12. Work Nadase!! Your closets are awesome, a shoppers' dream. If only I can get in my house...I still have high hopes :)

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  13. Nadase...omg!!! One day when I grow up I am gonna be on your level! I LOVE your closet design! Just awesome!

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  14. Wow...is all I can say! I don't even have that many coats for a coat closet across the garage.

    The hubby closet and your dressing room is AWESOME! Beautifully done!

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  15. OMG, that looks amazing! I am so envious and like Courtney says, when I grow up I am gonna be on your level! Amazing.

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  16. Gorgeous! It can't get any girlier than that. So Audrey Hepburn! I am green with envy right now!

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  17. Oh My! wow! Its amazing, this is the best I've seen. wow!

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  18. Nadase, what are their general prices like per sq. ft? I'm also in Maryland, they wouldn't have to go far. I'm interested in a small walk in, mud room and one garage wall

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    1. Give them a call and ASK for Robert. It's all based on what you ask for and let them know the Proctor's recommended you. He will be happy that we are referred him. :-)

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  19. WOW!!! This post completely blew me away! I love how everything has turned out so far, and your attention to detail is unmatched! Your garage looks fancy! I mean, that is just over the top! But in a good way, I'm glad you are getting everything your heart desires in this new home, your closet is my fantasy! I think even if I had all the money in the world my husband wouldn't let me do that! lol He is a minimalist and already thinks I'm too spoiled :) He has 5 outfits that he cycles through, if you saw pictures of us over the ourse of 3 years you would think they were all taken the same week! LOL Now you need to go SHOPPING to fill all those racks!!! Maybe a trip to NYC is in order??? Have fun decorating and I look forward to more progress pictures!

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  20. If you don't mind me asking... where did you get the indoor dog house??? I love it!

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  21. OMG... I am in love!!! Wow, wow, wow... your closets look awesome.

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  22. Your closet is bigger than my second floor! How many shoes do ya'll need!? Wow very impressive.

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  23. Thank you for the generous compliment! It means a great deal when my work is appreciated ! It has been a big DREAM of mine.

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  24. Amazing... can't really think straight after looking at this. Will have an emergency-construction-ideas-family meeting then come back with questions! Truly fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Simplify, organize and modify that's how custom closets are, they make your life easier on things and your stuffs and collectibles.

    Sarasota Custom Closets

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