I am also crazy about these these D’Orsay suede flats in this grey taupe. I could see them going with almost everything and dressed up or down. I’m hoping to add them to my fall shoes this year.
However, I swore to not add a single thing until I went through the old closet. That means trying on pants, skirts, and everything again. Looking over what was worn or not in the past year, seeing what could be revived, and also pitching what was just done. Ugh a lot of work, but so worth doing. This prevents you from buying the same things again you already have and helps you find what you may have forgotten about!
After purging and making a list of what I could add, I purposely rearranged the closet to seem more like a boutique.
First, you’ll notice this closet TINY. It’s not a big walk-in like most Californians have. When we moved closer to town, we gave up our big master bedroom for this older ranch home and now have a small master. This closer was nicely done with a organizer, so I made it work and downsized what I owned which was actually a good thing.
On top I have my blouses, which are some of my best pieces (yes I do like prints), and those are all on wood hangers. I try to organize by tones- navy, blues, pinks, blacks, browns and warmer colors. It’s nice having your newest pieces out in front so you will see them.
Right now I have just put away many of my sandals and have my fall and winter shoes out.
I used some of my birthday money to buy this amazingly soft sweater and Toile sweatpants. I put them out on a shelf, so I can see them and think about ways to wear them.
Being a Californian, jeans are what I wear the most and they take up less space folded. I have two stacks- light and dark. This little bowl with a few green bracelets reminds me to wear them and the dog holds some of my other favorite pieces. I always love the pretty bowls Anthro has for bracelets and odd bits.
A little tray is a nice touch to hold special pieces you wear daily. I LOVE this Liberty hankie from my friend Jeanne and it makes me happy to see it there.
Other shelves hold my lace tops that are too old and fragile to hang, more handbags (I keep them forever) and my treasured Panama hat from Montecristi Hat Company. I did find this fun Garcons-Filles sweater at Madewell on sale. Super cute and soft.
Coats and Jackets are up higher and in front now that it’s getting cooler.
It looks like I have a lot of clothes, but I honestly have a lot I have saved over the years. I try my best to buy quality things and love nothing better than taking old pieces out and wearing them in new ways. Some of my things are 30 years old! I keep though only things I do wear. If I don’t wear it, it goes no matter how nice it is, or how much it cost originally. I just don’t want an archive, nor do I have the space.
I still had a a plethora of scarves collected over many years as well as jewelry and so I decided to use our armoire that previously held a television. It also has had incarnations as a chest for my linens.
I added a small cork board to the back to make an inspiration board for the season. I thought it might be fun to see and get ideas when getting dressed. I tore some of my favorites I saved.
Hmm, looking at this I’m all over the place, but basically I was going for a hippie bohemian feel with a little Ralph Lauren thrown in. That sounds contradictory, but what can I say? It’s me and I’m eclectic? 😀
Scarves I folded on the top by color. I used some of my favorite trays from around the house to put the things I’m wearing currently and that work for fall. I also put a Volcano candle from Anthropologie in there. The smell is divine and you needn’t ever light it. A few of my favorite clutches I added as well.
I used an old glass pedestal dish for my wood and leather pieces. That turtle I treasure. I bought it on the street in Fiji almost 20 years ago and wear it on a cord.
This little carved dog was found at my grandmother’s house as a little girl. I believe it’s from a trip to Japan that my grandfather took. As a child it was my Barbie’s dog. I love having it around for sentimental reasons so stuck in in my armoire. Adding bits like this make it a joyful and personal space.
It takes some time to make your closet pretty, but once you start treating it like a boutique you will look forward to shopping your closet each morning. Some people even have the space to paper their walls and add chandeliers! How lovely would that be?
One thing that I did not mention is that my husband does not occupy this space. When I saw how tiny this was, I kicked him out to another closet in our spare room and he was kind enough to acquiesce. If your are able to do so, it’s nice to have your own little world in some part of the home. I live with three men, so this is my little luxury since they take over the rest of the home!
I know Jenna Lyons and many others even have turned rooms into closets…(Hey a good thing about empty nesting?!) Pottery Barn knew this and now sells the goods to create such a fabulous space! Ahh, a girl can dream!!
With wardrobes in mind, I’ve gotta share my latest read, I’ll Drink to That, a wonderful bio of 86 year old Betty Halbreich, Bergdorf Goodmans’ personal shopper for 40 years. It takes you from her meticulous childhood closets filled with stacks of ribbon tied, fresh white nightgowns, to her life’s therapy -creating wardrobes for the famous and often crazy clients. Loads of fun and it gets you thinking about clothing and how what you choose to wear changes your outlook on life and so much else.
Wardrobe thoughts?? Any strategies you use to organize your closet for seasons?
I hope this inspires you a little to create a pretty and inspiring environment for your wardrobe!
Kim
Yep, I'm with you there……having been moving all THE VELVETS into the BOYS ROOM……as I couldNOT kick out the husband from our tiny closet.Less is More…………HOWEVER that is hard to accomplish with me!XX
I just read Betty's book. She's a kick If only I had the space to see all of my gems like you do, my life would be easier. I share my closet with DH and have coats in the front closet and special occasion and off season in a hall closet. The next remodel project is for a walk in and master bath-I can't wait.
Contessa, I would die to see your wardrobe!! Something tells me it is fabulous and out of this world! Capes and velvet I know you have! That would be a fun post for you to share! xx
Julie, Closets are tough. I have moved things around here about a million times. My coats are separate too and we have a lot of chests holding out of season items. I did use a chest in my entry to hold scarves, hats and gloves that worked well. Love to see your project. Very exciting! Glad you like Betty's book too!
I finally got a small walk in and I love it although it is still to small to cater for everything. I just have to edit better I suppose but having things on display makes me use things more and small closets for me tend to be an oversight bc I end up wearing the same things over and over again. Love seeing your little trinkets like that japanese doggie. I bought a sliding shallow drawer by the way from IKEA which is brillinat to store your scarves so they don't get tangled up and I love it and it has made me love IKEA again! 🙂
Kim I love your closet and this post! I've already pinned your closet to my Frock Philosophy board!
Part of my renovation involves a new closet in my bedroom, my husband's things are moving out to the hallway closet, which was actually his request as he often dresses early in the morning, and our room is so tiny. I have had most of my clothes in a storage closet in my son's old room but I'm looking forward to having more of my things in my bedroom…you've given me loads of inspiration for my new closet! I've been thinking about wallpapering it with something feminine and toile-y before the new system is installed by California Closets, I think you have tipped me over the edge…I'm going to order it this weekend.
Thanks Kim, love your fabulous style 🙂
This is seriously such a cool post!!! I wanna re-do my closet right now because of it 🙂
xx, Tiffany | http://www.sunshinedaydreamphotography.com/
WOW! I'm SO impressed! Everything looks so special and beautiful! Top of my wish list for a new house is a big walk-in closet or a room I can convert! Until then, I'll keep ducking and covering for falling handbags in mine! 😉
FAB!!!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Naomi, I am trying not to do the same and that's why I'm hoping having things out will make me wear them more. I am going to go on the IKEA site and look for that drawer. Sounds like a great idea for scarves, belts and other small items!
Dani, Thank you! I feel honored since you have the best wardrobe and clothing ideas I know. I bet you'll have a lovely closet and I hope you do the toile paper!! I'm looking forward to seeing it! So exciting!
Thanks Tiffany! Funto do for fall I think! xo
Daen, I still have that issue with handbags! They take up a lot of space! Hope you get the closet you want. Walk-ins really are such a luxury. Those room closets are pretty amazing too! xo
*Calls out to Hercules* "Kim has a boutique closet, I want a boutique closet, Hercules make me a boutique closet…..pleeeeease" :))
What a great look for your closet. So inspiring. I love it. I want to shop your closet.
Love how you set this up .. really looks like a wonderful shop! I live in San Diego in a smaller home and there is no walk in closet .. the closet is alone a wall and has three slidding mirrored doors .. would LOVE a walking in or better yet .. a closet ROOM. One can only dream.
Monica, http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com
I love that jacket, I spotted it on another blog today.
I can't think of anything I want buy, clothes just seem to be passing me by just now.
Oh and it's so true, if you don't see things they are just never worn, I have a dark hole of a drawer – who know what's lurking in there,
Will you come do my closet? Which jacket is that? Is it the Regency? Would love to hear how it fits. I have had my eye on that one but can't seem to make it into the stores.
Kim, this is a wonderful post, you have such fun taste and style! I have no style sense whatsoever, but I do love to look at beautiful things and live vicariously through you and your lovely friend at "The Rich Life…". I love how you use antique and vintage items in your closet and cherish those items with sentimental value. I will have to check out your book suggestion. Have you seen the documentary "Scatter my ashes at Bergdorf's"? If you have Netflix, you can stream it.
Kelley
You just completely inspired me to re-do my closet for fall and winter because I still have way too many neon tanks hanging in there I'll never wear until next summer. I love the TOMS peaking out from the shelf and the first pictures with the distressed jeans and tweed jacket would look so good together! 🙂 If you're doing any shopping Thanksgiving week in SF, let me know and let's meet for coffee.
xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.com
Paul, It's really more of a boutique cubby isn't it?? Lol.
Thanks Leigh! Too bad your not closer.. We could swap a few items!
Monica, I had one of those slider closet once too. This house had a few and we replaced with louvered doors. Much easier to see what you've got! The closet room… Now that would be nice! Thanks for stopping by and your note!
It's true that's why I had to try to display some things. If they are in a drawer you never use them. Right in front of me, I use them! Also inspires me to see the bracelets near the blouses, etc…I love the jacket too. Now just hoping for cool weather here so I can wear it with some pretty boots.
Cindy, It's called a Boyfriend Jacket from J. Crew. Cannot find it online anymore, but a reader just sent me a photo yesterday with it on. It's still in stores and on sale plus additional 40% or something on weekends! Make haste!
Kelley,
You are nice to say that. I don't know much, but have fun with this stuff. I have been wanting to see the Bergdorf docu and thank a ton for telling me it's on Netflix!! I'm so watching it! I went there once on a trip to NYC in my 20s. I'll never forget what a beautiful place it was. I bought my mom a lovely souvenir from the kitchen area. I'll get back one day! Hope all is good with you Kel! xo
Dale, Thanks so much! I know what you mean. Just folded all those tanks and stored them too. I took the photo of the jeans and jacket in the J Crew store. I was lucky to get both on sale. Just something about the two together I loved also! I will see if I can get up to SF at that time! Love to see you! xx
Not only have you organised your closet and gorgeous armoire so well but you have added a few personal touches too such as the silver candy dish and little dog. Your two statement necklaces from J Crew are fabulous and the grey shoes so useful. I'm having a grey moment! I find it so much easier to group colours together
as it's quicker to put an outfit together.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I always appreciate you taking the time to pop over to my blog!
Great post Kim!! Now I want to tear my closet apart and kick my husbands stuff out of it:)) I loved her new book. Quite the life she's lived and a real character. I love her attitude. Happy weekend my friend. xoJennifer
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I would love that.