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Segreto’s Organization Challenge!!

Mar 02, 2015

This year my list of New Year resolutions included getting my home organized. With all of the renovations taking place, I have had to empty out each area of my home, giving me a great opportunity to organize a space as it is renovated and re-organize it as I go.

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Today we are so honored to combine our blog with top design bloggers who are each giving tips on arranging their spaces! After you see my closet project, be sure to click on their links at the bottom. Get ready for some great tips on organization to inspire you for Spring cleaning!!!

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Although I won’t have a closet like this, because we opted not to totally redo the space, my closet received what I like to refer to as ‘a lift’. A nip here, a tuck there, a few injections of new storage and our dressing room looks ten years younger!

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Embarrassing to show—this is what the space looked like before we moved out! I had already gone through and gotten rid of clothes that I could no longer wear, hence the open areas. Although spacious, it was definitely unattractive!!!

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When we originally added the closet onto our master bath twelve years ago, I called on the Houston based firm Programme Martin. They had done so many of my client’s homes and had gotten rave reviews! They have even done the closets in The White House!!  Although, at first glance, they seemed more expensive than cabinetry built on site – when you add up the carpentry, the painting of the cabinets, the design time included and the time savings in installation cost, I felt it was a wash. All I had to do was make a list of my clothes and they came up with the design. I felt they doubled the capacity in my kids smaller closets. They installed everything in one day and left my closet clean as a whistle!! But…… my closet doesn’t look like this one in their showroom!

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I called on Programme Martin again for another consultation. The material of the current system is such that we never have to paint and – more importantly – we already owned it and his product still looked new!!  After taking careful stock of our clothing, they tweaked the system we already had to accommodate our changing wardrobes and added a space for purses and longer hanging garments!

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I talked to owner Randy and said that I wanted my closet to be prettier. He said it was not the closet but the way I was folding, hanging and organizing it which caused the look of disarray!! This is where Hilda, a professional closet organizer, came in.

 

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In my previous closet I used wooden and slim line hangers. I think I bought them all at Marshalls / Home Goods.  Taking the acrylic cabinet fronts into consideration, Hilda recommended I use clear plastic and metal pant hangers for a more streamlined look.

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She provided them all for me but the website, Only Hangers, carries them all. I wouldn’t have chosen this route originally, but when all was said and done,  it proved to be a less cluttered look!!!

After the redo; look what a difference the hangers made!!!

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Another smart use of those pants hangers? Using them to hold scarves! They look so pretty all lined up!!

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Though, perhaps a bit more than you wanted to see, my favorite part is how our clothes are folded! Notice the acrylic dividers that have been added! This makes your drawers so much easier to keep neat looking. Although I bought them from Programme Martin, you can purchase them at The Container Store and many other online sites.

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Here is one I found online for just $19.95.

I filmed Hilda giving a demonstration of how she folds items just in case I forgot how or you’d like to do the same with yours!! T-shirts and cami’s are included as well!!! Pin this so you can view later!!

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Notice how a simple folding method for clothing and organizing your closet provides everything a place, giving you more space for future growth.  On my husband’s side, a wall mounted belt rack made for a great use of a narrow corner! Another small but wonderful addition – the pull out bars on the shelf dividers that give me a place to preview outfits and hang dry cleaning! Now I know I can keep it looking pretty!

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Seeing  and displaying my purses has always been an issue.  I added a purse and boot cabinet with an acrylic front to my closet so that I could easily see what I had. Hilda used plastic bags, or the cases that came with the purse, and filled them with bubble wrap. They were then inserted back into each purse, allowing them to stand up and better keep their shape. Because the stuffing is in a bag, it is easy to take out the packet and replace it when you go to put the purse back. To complete the look,  I accessorized with old mirrors and antique hat boxes from Joyce Horn Antiques

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Putting boot shaper inserts into my tall boots also lent a less cluttered more organized look to the closet.  If you don’t have shelf space, there is a wide range of boot hangers available where you can hang your boots on rods.

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Hanging necklaces so that they can be seen easily has also been an issue.  Seeing how well the wall mounted jewelry cases worked for my daughters, I wanted one of my own! I had gotten theirs on Rue La La, a discount shopping site, for $100.  It only comes up sometimes, so in searching the web I found one that looked similar on Hayneedle.com for $169.

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As you can see there are many styles to choose from!! With not much space on my closet wall, it also doubles as a mirror to use while dressing. This combined with the Lucite hanging elements attached to my cabinets gave me plenty of space to view what I have.

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Wanting to make the closet feel like it was more of a furnished room and tie it into the bedroom…

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I used the fabric from the head board and the linen from the drapes to recover an existing ottoman that I had! The perfect finishing touch – a beautiful black and gold tray from The Longoria Collection! The carpeting I chose is Dixie Home in Genteel from The Great Rug Company and it is super soft and was very reasonably priced!

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In order to add a stencil to the walls, a look I love for closets, I would have had to remove and reinstall all the built-ins that were currently there. This translated into way more time and money than I was willing to spend. Instead I opted to enhance the ceiling with a design.

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Well, I am thrilled at the way the closet turned out!! I can now see what I have easily and I feel like it is a true extension of my master suite!To view some beautiful closets, check out my Pinterest board here! Thank you to all the talented designer participants below who have shared their own tips and tricks on organizing their spaces. Follow the links below to view each of their makeovers and considering following their wonderful blogs – they are some of my favs!!!

Mary Ann Pickett at Classic Casual Home

Kristy Woodson Harvey at  Design Chic

Tina at The Enchanted Home

Sandy Lucas & Sarah Eilers at L|E Journal

Kelley Motshenbacher at The Polished Pebble

Mona Thompson at Providence Design

Taylor Greenwalt at TG Interiors

 

If you are close to Dallas don’t forget I will be at  Aidan Gray’s home store, Gray Living, in McKinney, Texas on March 5th from 6-8pm!! Hope to see you there and happy organizing!!

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30 Comments
  • sherry hart
    Posted at 06:40h, 02 March Reply

    Holy Smokes! This is a “movie star” closet! I could live in there and the ceiling and the stool and just everything is gorgeous! WOW:)

    • Leslie
      Posted at 07:18h, 02 March Reply

      Hi Sherry! Thanks so much! It took me forever and with so much of Hilda’s help!! ! I must say my favorite part is the socks!! fingers crossed I can keep it looking good! have a good one. Xo

  • Ginger Deignan
    Posted at 06:50h, 02 March Reply

    I enjoy your blog so much and find them to be fun, informative and encouraging!!! Love this on closet organization and your re-do is fabulous! Can’t wait to visit and see all the changes throughout your home. Your Aunt Ginger is extremely proud of you!!!!!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 07:19h, 02 March Reply

      Hi Sweet Ginger! Boy if it weren’t for Facebook and blogs how would we every keep up!! love you!

  • The Enchanted Home
    Posted at 06:56h, 02 March Reply

    OH MY GOSH! This is amazing!!!!!! What a makeover, it’s like having your own little boutique in your home. Bravo to you Leslie. Loved the tip of the plastic and pants hangers, I am going to copy…excellent tip and yes it does make such a difference. Agree that the acrylic holders are wonderful for keeping things nice and tidy.
    Thank you SO MUCH for inviting me to be a part of this great idea. My post had to change last minute as what I ordered for my home office organizational project did not arrive in time, so I found another small but much needed project to do. Thank you again..this is amazing and inspiring!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 09:56h, 02 March Reply

      I loved your post and so appreciated you being a part of it!! I am going to use all your beautiful ideas when decorating my bath vanity!!! Let us know when you get the home office done! Can’t wait to see! Have a wonderful day and again thank you so much for being a part of the challenge. xo

  • Design Chic
    Posted at 07:03h, 02 March Reply

    Now that’s a closet organization – so wishing mine looked like this – glamorous, organized and functional!! Thank you for all the great tips and loved the video. You even have the perfect place for your boots! We so missed you at the DBC, but maybe soon! Thanks for including us in your organization challenge!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 07:20h, 02 March Reply

      I really missed ya’ll but loved the movie start pics of you all! So enjoyed your blog and your baskets! Where did you get those? Have a good one! xo

  • Mona Thompson
    Posted at 08:03h, 02 March Reply

    Oh my word…What an awesome closet. Looks like a wonderful little boutique. A real delight to dress in each day for sure. Getting organized is a real life changer. Thanks so much for including us in this fun challenge. Hopefully we will get to meet in person soon.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 09:07h, 02 March Reply

      Thank you, Mona! It has definitely been a rewarding experience! We are thrilled that you participated as well know everyone will love your makeover!! xo

  • Karena
    Posted at 08:16h, 02 March Reply

    Beautiful Leslie. I love this closet transformation, especially your purse and boot organizer. Everything looks great though. You really went the extra mile with the ceiling enhancement and the gorgeous ottoman.

    I just signed up for email alerts again after realizing I had not been receiving them for some reason!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    • Leslie
      Posted at 09:13h, 02 March Reply

      Thanks, Karena! I am so sorry you weren’t receiving the blog (love the new blog platform but we’ve had to jump through a few technical hoops! yikes!) but so happy you are re-subscribed!! So excited you like the makeover -it’s one of my favorite rooms now!! xo

  • Taylor Greenwalt
    Posted at 09:01h, 02 March Reply

    Now that’s a dream closet! When I grow up I want a closet just like yours….I’m going to go buy those boot hangers…great idea!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 09:09h, 02 March Reply

      Thanks so much, Taylor!The boot hangers are one of my favorite additions! Thank you for participating – it has been so much fun!

  • Mary Ann Pickett
    Posted at 09:36h, 02 March Reply

    Oh my gosh WHAT A GORGEOUS AND FUNCTIONAL closet!!! That ceiling is lovely…don’t you just wake up happy to get dresses. Thanks for all the tips and including me in this fun organization project!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 09:59h, 02 March Reply

      Thank you!! I think it spurred us on on to get some things done! I want to move into that studio you did, so happy feeling!!! I could be creative there!!! Have a great day and again THANK YOU!

  • Kelley
    Posted at 09:37h, 02 March Reply

    Wow Leslie…now that is a closet to inspire me! I think all of the small details you used, is really the key to making it exceptional and so pretty. I wish I had this kind of space but I got a ton of great ideas for my next closet re-do/face lift. Thanks so much for including me in this project!

    xo Kelley

  • Leslie Sinclair
    Posted at 10:02h, 02 March Reply

    You are so sweet! I loved the ideas on the office which is so perfect on timing since I am trying to redo ours now!!! I just hope I can keep it looking this way without Hilda full time!!! Have a great day and thank you for participating!!!

  • cindy hattersley
    Posted at 13:06h, 02 March Reply

    This is fabulous!! Love the detail on the ceiling! If only I had a closet like this!!

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 17:08h, 02 March Reply

      Hi Cindy!!! I hope you are doing great!!! I loved it when we put it in 12 years ago but started, really disliking it as it became so junkie!!! I Love it again and am going to try try to put thing back where they go and fold them right!! Should do a follow up in 6 months to encourage me to do it!!!

  • Andrea
    Posted at 15:21h, 02 March Reply

    Just gorgeous! Love the tips! This might be a bit off-topic – but your’e carpet in your closet is FAB!! Can you share the info?

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 17:10h, 02 March Reply

      HI Andrea!! The price was great on it to. I got it from the Great Rug company in Houston. I will find out the style and make of it and let you know. It is super soft.

      • Leslie
        Posted at 17:21h, 02 March Reply

        The style Genteel by Dixie Home!!

  • Karolyn
    Posted at 16:14h, 02 March Reply

    Oh how I wish I had a closet that size! Perils of an old farmhouse! Love what you did its gorgeous!!

    • Leslie
      Posted at 17:58h, 02 March Reply

      Hi Karolyn!! There is so much charm to a farmhouse which can never be recreated with new!!! Thanks so much for following!!

  • Kim
    Posted at 18:26h, 02 March Reply

    Wow, Leslie, what a closet! Heck it’s as big as my bedroom. Oh, and your bedroom is stunning. I could just pack my bags and move right in. I would love a nice closet like yours, but it will never happen. Ours is just a tiny narrow space with double windows in it. That was a huge mistake losing wall space with the windows plus the sun fades clothes. I will just drool over your space.

    • Leslie
      Posted at 06:44h, 03 March Reply

      Goodness I never thought about light fading the clothes, always thought a big box with no windows like mine was kinda dark. My husband for some reason likes no windows in the master area–thus even the one window we have is covered with drapes! Haha I battle with him with windows everywhere! I so appreciate you following. xo

  • Maria Killam
    Posted at 09:02h, 03 March Reply

    OMG what a gorgeous transformation! And I totally agree with you about having your necklaces out so you can see them! Then you actually wear them 🙂
    Love your bedroom too!
    x
    Maria

    • Leslie Sinclair
      Posted at 11:02h, 03 March Reply

      Thanks Maria!! I do wear them so much more and they don’t break now!!! Thanks to on the bedroom! It used to be dark and we are so loving the bright new transformation!!!!

  • michele@hellolovelystudio
    Posted at 11:51h, 06 March Reply

    inspired over here, leslie! i love that you have shared your experience with hangers because i think that minor change will help me and a lot of others. the ceiling detail is so beautiful and so unexpected for a closet. why not! i have two mini chandeliers in my closet but unfortunately no recessed lights which would really help with no natural light in there. thanks for letting us peek at this private space and for including all the helpful links. peace to you. closet goddess.

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