Christina Hall and James Bender Design Real Barbie Dream Closet

Fashion designer Clare Vivier, known for her extensive and evolving wardrobe, faced a common dilemma: a chaotic dressing area in her Echo Park Craftsman home. Her husband, Thierry, proposed converting her small dressing room into a bathroom. Vivier, seeing an opportunity, negotiated to transform their spare bedroom into her dream closet. This spare bedroom had previously been a disorganized space, filled with an assortment of Ikea racks, a dresser, and a vintage armoire, which Vivier herself described as “pretty chaotic” and in need of a makeover. The timing was opportune when California Closets approached Vivier for a collaboration. Vivier's love for fashion, encompassing diverse styles, resulted in a significant clothing collection. Her shopping philosophy involves considering whether she owns anything similar and, if not, acquiring items she loves and can afford. The existing space's strengths included abundant natural light and its generous size, but its main drawback was the difficulty in maintaining tidiness. Vivier desired a more serene and organized environment, one that would be easier to keep neat, as she spent a considerable amount of time there. Nicole Caswell, a designer from California Closets, was tasked with transforming the space to meet Vivier's needs for order and aesthetic appeal. Caswell's objective was to craft a boutique-style closet that could effectively showcase Vivier’s eclectic clothing taste, alongside her personal handbag and clothing designs. The design approach focused on complementing the room’s existing features, such as two large windows offering views of lush trees and classic moldings. To achieve a clean and cohesive look, the closet system finishes were chosen in a simple white, allowing the vibrant colors of Vivier’s clothing, artwork, and the natural elements outside to serve as accents. The new closet system provides a dedicated place for every item in Vivier's considerable collection of accessories. All hanging clothes are uniformly positioned at the same height, with 20 drawers integrated beneath for additional storage. Various-sized shelves and strategically placed hooks accommodate her numerous handbags. A multi-level drawer organizer keeps her jewelry neatly arranged, while another drawer is dedicated to her scarves. Furthermore, Vivier's impressive collection of colorful pumps and boots now resides in its own dedicated section, featuring angled shelves for easy viewing and access. Vivier expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the uniform and clean aesthetic, and emphasizing that the space is functional yet retains her personal style. Beyond mere organization, Vivier leveraged the makeover to showcase her design contributions. The Lotus stripe wallpaper, which she designed for Wallshoppe, now serves as a backdrop throughout the room, even peeking out from behind her shoe racks and hanging garments. To allow for the display of selected clothing pieces, Caswell incorporated a custom cabinet with a forward-facing garment rod, enabling Vivier to appreciate these items as she would a piece of art. #ClosetOrganization #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FashionDesigner #StorageSolutions #CaliforniaClosets #SpacePlanning #PersonalStyle

Interior designer Susannah Talley, after moving from a 3,000-square-foot carriage house in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, downsized to a 475-square-foot studio on the Upper East Side, which she affectionately refers to as her “treehouse.” This transition occurred 27 years ago. In 2008, Talley's experience with small-space living gained an additional dimension when she discovered an abandoned dollhouse and undertook its restoration. This project, detailed in her 2015 self-published book, *The Dollhouse: A Love Story*, became a shared creative endeavor with her husband, Truman “Mac” Talley, during his illness. The living room of Talley’s studio is designed to evoke the ambiance of a country home, featuring family portraits and comfortable chairs arranged around a decorative fireplace. This fireplace ingeniously conceals a flat-screen TV. The armchairs are upholstered in a mixed “Tree of Life” patterned fabric from Jofa, complemented by wall-to-wall carpeting from Patterson, Flynn & Martin. Talley offers practical advice for maximizing small spaces, such as utilizing floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls in strategic locations to create the illusion of greater depth. She emphasizes the importance of selecting furniture that is appropriately scaled for the space, advising against oversized sectional seating due to its potential to overwhelm a room and complicate the placement of reading lamps. Instead, she recommends comfortable club chairs paired with well-positioned reading lamps and movable ottomans over traditional sofas. Upon entering the studio, the inviting decor immediately conveys Talley's expertise in creating beautiful and welcoming environments. A notable design element is the decorative fireplace, which, upon closer inspection, reveals a crackling fire image displayed on a flat-screen TV. Above the fireplace hangs an unsigned family portrait. Talley ingeniously converted a closet space into a functional bar area. This space features checked skirting fabric from Schumacher, wallpaper from Cole and Sons at Jofa, and paint from Farrow & Ball. Talley advocates for varying wall surfaces through different wallpapers and paint colors to create the perception of distinct rooms within a small area. She also prefers wool wall-to-wall carpeting for its ability to hide dirt, eliminating the need for guests to remove their shoes, which she considers an imposition. Another clever design solution within the studio is a functional dressing table integrated into a deep window sill near the bed. This was achieved by inserting a “sandwich of decorative wallpaper within two curved pieces of glass,” with decorative trim providing a finished edge. Hidden right-angle brackets offer structural support for this feature. The dollhouse, found abandoned on the street, was a significant project for Talley. She recounts her immediate connection to the dollhouse, seeing it as an answer to her desire for a creative project. She meticulously sanded away crayon and marker scribbles, drilled holes for lighting using Christmas-tree lights, and painted the exterior a deep eggplant shade to harmonize with her apartment’s decor. Together with her husband, Mac, she embarked on furnishing and decorating the dollhouse’s rooms. Talley sourced miniature items for the dollhouse from The Tiny Dollhouse Store on East 78th Street, acquiring objects like a two-inch dog bed, a thimble-sized bunch of bananas, and a fist-sized baby grand piano. The dollhouse kitchen is meticulously detailed, complete with tiny pots, pans, plates, cookbooks, and a miniature bottle of wine. The dollhouse's boudoir features a black-and-gold japanned bed and matching chairs, a gift from her sister. The walls are adorned with deep pewter-blue damask, and the floor is covered with navy-blue felt serving as wall-to-wall carpeting. A purple cocktail coaster from India was repurposed as a bedspread, and an upside-down beaded votive holder functions as a perfectly scaled bedside table. A painting by Talley’s daughter, Expressionist painter Isabelle Peabody, hangs on the wall. The dollhouse also includes a miniature menagerie of four-legged friends, completing the domestic scene. This project became a poignant and creative outlet, providing a miniature world within their real-life small space. #homeDesign #smallSpaces #interiorDesign #studioApartment #dollhouseRenovation #decoratingTips #creativeLiving #upperEastSide #SusannahTalley

Symmetry Closets, a luxury custom closet company founded by Bonnie Reich 15 years ago, specializes in designing and installing functional and stylish storage solutions for homeowners and commercial clients. Based in Holbrook, with a satellite showroom in Manhattan, the company serves a wide region from Montauk to Manhattan, including Western Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, and Brooklyn. Bonnie Reich, a certified women-owned business owner, leads a team of approximately 15 employees, including four designers, and her wife, Sheree Jeanes, serves as project manager and commercial sales manager. Beyond closets, Symmetry Closets also crafts custom pantries, garages, wall units, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and home offices. On the commercial front, they provide cabinets and vanities for builders. Reich's career began in architectural design and woodworking, eventually transitioning into closet design after 9/11. She found a passion for solving space problems and transforming areas into dream closets. After five years working for other custom closet companies, she established Symmetry Closets to have greater control over the entire process, ensuring professional space planning and excellent customer service from start to finish. The company's customer-centric approach is reflected in over 200 five-star Google reviews, highlighting the professionalism and politeness of their installation team. The design process at Symmetry Closets begins with a virtual showroom for inspiration, followed by a consultation where designers assess storage needs and preferences, and propose initial solutions. A home visit is conducted to take measurements and consider environmental factors like lighting and room orientation. Clients are encouraged to visit one of the showrooms to visualize designs with various materials, finishes, and colors, choosing from about 40 standard color options. 3-D renderings further aid clients in visualizing the finished product. Once the design is finalized, all closet components are produced, primarily locally, with specialized custom accessories and finishes ordered as needed. The turnaround time can be as short as three days, depending on the project's complexity. After production, the installation is scheduled and executed by their highly-regarded team. The Manhattan satellite showroom, opened in collaboration with Häfele, a manufacturer of decorative hardware, furniture fittings, and lighting, showcases high-end accessories and integrated lighting. This display features products like TAG Hardware, offering mix-and-match metal finishes, and innovative solutions for small spaces, including slide-out mirrors, hideaway cubbies, and integrated ironing boards. Recent trends in closet design emphasize lighting, which has evolved from kitchens to closets. Integrated lighting, rather than an afterthought, is now common, with advancements like COB tunable LED lights allowing users to adjust light temperature from warm to cool. This feature helps clients gauge how outfits appear in different lighting conditions. Wireless adjustable shelf lighting provides increased flexibility, allowing shelves to be repositioned without affecting the lighting. In terms of aesthetics, blue and green are popular colors for panels and accessories, and natural wood tones like clear maples and oaks, with either gray or warmer undertones, have seen a strong resurgence. #CustomClosets #HomeOrganization #InteriorDesign #LuxuryStorage #SpacePlanning #ArchitecturalDesign #HomeImprovement #SymmetryClosets #ManhattanShowroom

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham's approach to closet storage is highlighted as an aspirational model for maximizing vertical space within a bedroom dressing area, treating getting dressed as a ritual rather than a mere necessity. The article emphasizes that creating a separate dressing room, even without extensive space, is a strategic move. The foundation of effective closet design lies in clever cabinetry, whether custom-built or pre-fabricated, to ensure maximum storage capacity and a streamlined aesthetic. This method effectively utilizes floor-to-ceiling space. The concept of walk-through closets and dressing rooms is presented as a sophisticated solution that can alleviate storage burdens in both bedrooms and bathrooms. Beckham's vertical cabinets exemplify this, seamlessly integrating into the architectural design and becoming a feature in their own right, rather than just storage units. Interior designers Stéphanie Coutas and Charlotte Crosland support this perspective, noting that integrating closets into the architecture optimizes storage and imparts a sense of luxury. Coutas adds that walk-through closets can also enhance bathroom privacy by creating a buffer from the sleeping area. Crosland emphasizes the value of bespoke fittings for spatial planning, particularly in uniquely shaped areas, as they cater precisely to individual requirements such as specific needs for shoe storage, hanging space, or additional drawers. The dressing area should blend practicality with decorative appeal. Closet doors, for instance, are considered an integral part of the room's design and can be enhanced with materials like paper-backed fabric, such as grasscloth. Designers recommend natural materials like timber, rattan, and linen for bedrooms and dressing rooms to create a calming and inviting atmosphere. Mirrors on doors are an option, but an alternative suggested is to place mirrored panels on the inside of doors and use a freestanding mirror for flexibility. Victoria Beckham's own bedroom is cited as an example where calming colors, rich textures, and layered elements create an inviting space, serving as a masterclass in design. The article concludes by encouraging readers to explore various closet hardware and organizer options to achieve a similar level of functional elegance and aesthetic appeal in their own homes, pointing to specific examples of cabinet knobs, handles, woven bins, hanging organizers, and stackable storage bins. #VictoriaBeckham #LuxuryCloset #ClosetStorage #DressingRoom #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization #HomeOrganization #BespokeCabinetry #CelebrityHomes

This article details a closet makeover project undertaken by Closets By Design – Charlotte for Charlottean Ginny Mehltretter, who won a $3,000 closet transformation in a contest sponsored by Charlotte magazine. The project focused on converting a cluttered space into a highly organized and customized reach-in closet, demonstrating how effective design can maximize functionality even without a walk-in configuration. The transformation aimed to provide a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for storing clothing and accessories, thereby improving the homeowner's daily life by eliminating clutter. The initial state of Ginny Mehltretter's closet is presented as a before-shot, illustrating the disorganization and lack of efficient storage that necessitated the makeover. The 'before' image reveals a space that was not optimized for storage, highlighting the need for a professional organizational system. This visual contrast sets the stage for the dramatic improvement achieved through the intervention of Closets by Design – Charlotte. The company's expertise in customized storage solutions is emphasized as a key factor in addressing the challenges of the original space. The solution implemented involved a comprehensive redesign of the reach-in closet. The new system incorporated adjustable shelving, hanging bars, and shoe racks, all strategically placed to ensure that every item has a designated spot. This approach not only addresses the immediate issue of clutter but also promotes long-term organization and ease of access to belongings. The custom design proves that a walk-in closet is not a prerequisite for a highly functional and organized storage area, as thoughtful planning can transform any space. The specifics of the new closet system are detailed, showcasing the meticulous attention to both functionality and aesthetics. The design features a gray finish, contributing to a modern and clean look. Classic deco drawer designs, complemented by too bar handles and polished chrome rods, were integrated to maximize the available space and add a touch of elegance. The system includes dedicated areas for double-hang clothing, long-hang items for dresses, and custom wide shelving specifically designed for shoes. Additionally, six new drawers were incorporated to provide further storage options for smaller items, enhancing the overall utility and organization of the closet. Closets by Design – Charlotte offers free in-home design consultations and estimates, allowing potential clients to explore customized storage solutions for their own homes. This service enables individuals to collaborate with design professionals to create personalized systems that cater to their specific needs and preferences. The company's focus on tailored solutions underscores its commitment to transforming cluttered spaces into organized and efficient areas. The article serves as an example of how professional closet design can significantly enhance home organization and livability, providing inspiration for readers considering similar projects. #HomeOrganization #ClosetDesign #HomeImprovement #CustomStorage #InteriorDesign #CharlotteHomes #SpaceMaximization

This article presents a curated list of 13 gift ideas aimed at enhancing a woman's wardrobe and closet space, transforming it into a 'dream closet.' The focus is on items that blend fashion with home decor and organization, offering practical and aesthetically pleasing solutions for a personalized and functional space. The gift guide acknowledges the increased focus on home environments and provides a range of suggestions, from sensory elements like diffusers to functional furniture and stylish organizational tools. The first recommendation is the pura X Nest Fragrances Smart Home Festive Diffuser Set, which uses a smart plugin diffuser to infuse the space with scents like bamboo and grapefruit, creating a desired ambiance without occupying valuable dresser space. Following this, the Lucky Brand Uni Fit High Rise Skinny Jean is highlighted as a foundational wardrobe piece, celebrated for its 'one-size-fits-many' technology and high-stretch fabric, promising comfort and versatility. To add a touch of glamour, the Vanity Lights Strip Kit is suggested, allowing for easy installation on existing mirrors to provide soft, dimmable lighting, reminiscent of a Hollywood-style setup. Organizational elements are addressed with Monogram Wall Hooks from Anthropologie, offering a chic and personalized solution for hanging robes, purses, and scarves. For seating within the closet, a Velvet Ottoman from West Elm is proposed, a slim yet sturdy option for putting on shoes. Apparel continues with the Lucky Brand Sueded Terry Joggers and the matching Relaxed Terry Crew, promoting comfort and style for everyday wear, emphasizing the soft texture and rosy hue. The guide also suggests a Sheepskin Rug from Wayfair, a small 2' x 3' rug designed to add an instant touch of luxury and comfort underfoot. Further organization comes in the form of Gold Wire Baskets from CB2, presented as an elevated solution for categorizing items like jeans or preventing bags from cluttering. Metallic Hangers are recommended to replace mismatched hangers, providing a uniform and elegant look while also being functional with curved edges and shoulder grooves to protect clothing. For jewelry and accessories, an Urban Outfitters Jewelry Organizer offers a space-saving solution that can be propped on a dresser or hung on a wall. Complementing this, a Sunglasses Hammock from Anthropologie is suggested for protecting and organizing eyewear. Finally, to complete the aesthetic of a dream closet, Statement Wall Art from Minted, such as a minimalist typography print, is proposed as a way to personalize the space with a sentiment that reflects the recipient's personality. #GiftGuide #DreamCloset #HomeDecor #Fashion #HomeOrganization #LuxuryHome #ClosetUpgrade #PersonalizedGifts #StylishLiving

The article showcases 20 celebrity closets, highlighting that these private spaces often rival the grandeur of other rooms in their homes. These closets are designed to reflect the personal style of their owners, encompassing tailored masculinity, feminine allure, or over-the-top glamour. Andy Cohen, for example, merged three apartments to create ample closet space, designed by Eric Hughes, offering a luxurious storage solution that New Yorkers dream of. Tamara Mellon, founder of Jimmy Choo, dedicates a specific closet to her collection of over 400 shoes, organized by color and type, with additional storage for off-display pairs and a separate closet for jeans. She also utilizes a firm called Practical Princess for seasonal wardrobe coordination. Keri Russell's Brooklyn apartment features an understated-glam closet with a Shaw Floors rug and a John Derian upholstered chair. Fashion designer Nanette Lepore's Manhattan townhouse includes a glamorous dressing room with mirrored furniture, a glass chandelier, a velvet ottoman, and vintage apparel alongside her own designs, with a Chinese Art Deco rug from ABC Carpet & Home. Jenni Kayne's shoe closet is a showcase for her extensive collection of D'Orsay flats. Anna Sui's second Manhattan apartment has a stylish dressing room for wardrobe overflow, featuring custom shelves for shoe boxes labeled with Polaroids and striped hooks for delicate items. Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer's Manhattan apartment's dressing room pays homage to her grandmother Estée Lauder's style with a blue-and-white color scheme, Gracie wall coverings, a Baguès chandelier, and a vintage Gabriella Crespi desk. Ray Romano's 40-square-foot space was transformed by Lisa Adams into organized storage for travel accessories, complete with custom shelving and wall hooks. Jeweler Loree Rodkin's Los Angeles dressing room, decorated with Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, mirrors the home's subdued palette, featuring Poliform storage, vintage brass pendant lights from Rewire, and an antique bowl from Jacques Carcanagues Gallery. Josie Natori's New York City apartment boasts a bold cinnabar-red boudoir and dressing room, designed by architect Calvin Tsao, with organized clothing, shoes, and silk-covered shoe stuffers. Shoe designer Brian Atwood's Milan apartment, decorated by Nate Berkus, has a minimalist dressing room with dark surfaces, vintage furnishings, and a Poul Kjaerholm daybed. Khloe Kardashian's 150-square-foot fitness closet, designed by Lisa Adams, exemplifies luxury in fitness, with automatic lights, suede-lined display cases, pullout shelves for sneakers, and a mini-fridge. Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's creative director, converted a bedroom into a shoe shrine in her Brooklyn townhouse. Monique Lhuillier redesigned her closet to align with her home's grey tones and textures for inspiration. Giuliana Rancic's 200-square-foot closet is tailored for quick dressing, reflecting her role as a fashion critic. Blake Lively's immense closet, visible in an Instagram post, reveals numerous shelves dedicated to her shoe collection, particularly pumps. Fashion blogger Aimee Song's dressing area combines a luxe zebra rug, fashion books, flowers, and meticulously organized clothing and accessories. Lela Rose's New York City townhouse features a large walk-in closet with red carpet-inspired flooring, housing her label's dresses and a vast collection of designer shoes. Lubov Azria, Chief Creative Officer of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP, emphasizes incorporating personal style into trends within her closet. Finally, Nate Berkus's impeccably organized footwear collection, shared on Instagram, highlights the importance of tidy storage. #CelebrityClosets #HomeDesign #ClosetOrganization #LuxuryInteriors #InteriorDesign #FashionStorage #CelebrityHomes #CustomClosets #WardrobeDesign

Lisa Adams, founder of LA Closet Design, specializes in creating custom, luxurious, and highly organized closet spaces for celebrity clientele. Her work transcends typical storage solutions, elevating them to bespoke design statements tailored to individual needs and possessions. Adams' designs often incorporate innovative features and high-end materials, reflecting the extravagant lifestyles of her clients. One notable project involves Giuliana Rancic's necklace closet, a separate 187-square-foot space dedicated solely to her jewelry. This unique closet features custom cabinetry with suede-lined mirror fronts, which open to reveal necklaces meticulously hung on bronze hooks. Additional drawers are integrated for other jewelry and sunglasses, showcasing Adams' meticulous attention to detail and her ability to create specialized storage for specific collections. Another distinctive design was for actor Ray Romano, who commissioned a 40-square-foot luggage closet. This space is optimized for storing travel accessories, featuring custom-angled and curved shelving to maximize efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Wall hooks are included for hanging backpacks and tote bags, while a spacious bottom shelf accommodates even the largest luggage, transforming a utilitarian space into a well-organized and accessible area. Khloe Kardashian's 150-square-foot fitness closet exemplifies Adams' ability to blend luxury with functionality. This closet is exclusively dedicated to fitness attire and gear, designed to make organization effortless and visually appealing. It boasts automatic lights, suede-lined glass display cases, and a wall of pull-out shelves specifically for her extensive sneaker collection. A fully loaded mini-fridge is also integrated into the design, highlighting the bespoke and amenity-rich nature of these celebrity closets. These examples demonstrate Adams' innovative approach to closet design, turning them into highly customized and luxurious extensions of her clients' homes, each reflecting their unique passions and organizational needs. #CelebrityClosets #LuxuryDesign #CustomStorage #HomeOrganization #InteriorDesign #LisaAdams #LAClosetDesign #CelebrityHomes #ClosetGoals

Leslie and Bryan Darr, upon purchasing their new Memphis home, prioritized a complete closet renovation, recognizing the importance of custom-fitted storage for maximizing functionality and space. Leslie, having previously worked for More Than Closets, an organization specializing in custom storage solutions, immediately enlisted their services. The project encompassed not only the master bedroom closet but also linen closets, the laundry room, and the pantry, aiming to entirely revamp the home's storage potential. Chris Carruth, owner of More Than Closets, spearheaded the design and implementation, with the master closet serving as the project's focal point. This expansive master closet, measuring over 12 feet wide and 18 feet long, offered significant design flexibility. Leslie arrived with a clear vision for her storage needs, including specialized areas for hanging dresses, gowns, jewelry, shoes, bags, and her hat collection. She also desired a convenient packing station for her husband, Bryan, who travels frequently for work. Chris integrated a large central island into the master closet, featuring extensive drawer space for Bryan's belongings on one side and Leslie's primary shoe storage on the other. The island's counter height was specifically chosen to allow Bryan to lay out his hanging bag for easy packing. To ensure Bryan retained adequate hanging space, his former closet was measured, and an equivalent amount of linear hanging space was integrated along one wall of the new master closet. Leslie's side of the closet also received dedicated storage, including a built-in dresser along the back wall under a window, with cabinets on either side to house small purses and gloves. Bryan's specialized storage included a valet stand near the closet entrance, providing a designated spot for his watch, keys, and other personal items. Aesthetically, Leslie opted for a clean and bright ambiance, selecting creamy white walls and cabinetry, complemented by dark wood countertops. Traditional drawer fronts with a molded profile contributed to a classic look. A subtle pop of color was introduced overhead with a porch blue ceiling. New LED lighting was installed to enhance visibility, particularly to differentiate between similar-colored items like socks. The flooring was upgraded from carpet to a dark faux bois tile, chosen for its clean appearance, ease of maintenance, and practicality in preventing small items from getting lost. Polished nickel octagonal knobs were chosen for hardware, adding a touch of elegance and serving as a decorative element within the space. The large central island, while a key feature, necessitated careful planning to ensure it enhanced functionality rather than creating an obstruction. Chris emphasized the importance of professional design to prevent clearance issues. Beyond the master closet, the Darrs' system also incorporated built-in laundry bins with pull-out canvas liners and multiple valet rods, allowing for the hanging of dry cleaning or pre-planned outfits. The adjustable shelving further contributes to the long-term organization. Leslie and Bryan expressed satisfaction with the project's execution, praising Chris Carruth's efficiency and innovative approach to design, which resulted in a highly personalized and functional storage solution for their home. #CustomClosets #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #MasterCloset #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SpacePlanning #MemphisHomes #MoreThanClosets

Interior designer Bee Osborn shares the story and design choices behind her idyllic country cottage in the Cotswolds, a home that became a permanent family residence during the pandemic. The article details the extensive, yet thoughtful, renovations undertaken to transform a tired three-bedroom property into a warm, stylish, and functional living space. Osborn emphasizes the use of texture, natural materials, and practical space-saving solutions throughout the house. The renovation began with the property itself, which had been in the same family for years and was in need of updating. Osborn, initially looking for a rental, stumbled upon the cottage and felt an immediate connection, likening it to her childhood home. She purchased and moved into the cottage with her builders, who started gutting and rewiring the property immediately. The transformation of the kitchen is highlighted, where a tiny original kitchen was expanded by integrating an accessible barn. Osborn decided to maintain the barn's original sunken level and natural walls, creating a unique feature. Reclaimed materials were extensively used, including an old kitchen floor for the roof and a stripped-down original Crittall window that now forms doors. The flooring in the kitchen is 'Barnwood Floor' from Osborn Interiors, and the cabinets were custom-made by a local joiner with a natural, raw wood finish. High-end pendant lights from Pinch were a significant investment, balancing the rustic elements with smart design. The kitchen also features a TV snug with L-shaped seating made from repurposed fence planks, equipped with built-in USB plugs, and a mirrored TV from Picture Frame TV with a custom-painted frame. The dining room boasts a large, custom-made pendant from Hadeda, serving as a focal point within a nine-circuit lighting scheme that creates subtle pools of light. The main attraction is a resin and 10-year-old oak table, meticulously crafted over four months, which has proven both beautiful and practical. The Blue Room, inspired by an inky off-black wall in a previous office, features a sofabed custom-made to fit the space and contrasting with the dark wall color. Despite planning permission issues for French windows, a large window was installed. Linen fabrics, leather, and wicker are used throughout, reflecting Osborn's preference for natural materials. The living room maintains its original fireplace, with versatile hampers and baskets serving as storage and side tables. The paint color in this room is a custom mix, and artwork is sourced from antique markets. The master suite, initially a small room with limited space, underwent a significant redesign. Osborn removed the fireplace and stained glass window to reorient the bed and create space for an en-suite bathroom. The bedroom connects visually with the downstairs through wood-clad ceilings and walls from a reclamation center, and hidden cupboards are integrated throughout. The en-suite bathroom includes a second-hand eBay bath and discreetly placed loo. Expensive Porta Romana lights and Anthropologie wardrobe handles add luxurious touches. All bedrooms feature 100% linen sheets for a relaxed aesthetic. Finally, an outdoor 'Pod' by Sandman Homes, measuring 3m x 5m, is made from reclaimed wood, features a wildflower roof, an electric wood burner, and collected baskets, providing an additional charming space. Osborn's design philosophy prioritizes natural materials, thoughtful construction, and practical solutions, creating a harmonious and personalized home. Osborn's work can be further explored through her Instagram and website, OsbornInteriors.com. #InteriorDesign #CotswoldsCottage #HomeRenovation #NaturalMaterials #SustainableDesign #ReclaimedWood #SpaceSavingSolutions #CountryLiving #BeeOsborn

Interior designer Bria Hammel is preparing to launch her own home furnishings line, Brooke & Lou, in August, named after her two children. Hammel's business, which she started with a single assistant six years ago, has grown significantly, now employing a team of 12 and handling projects across multiple states. The new collection is designed to be "life-friendly," catering to the common client request for durable pieces that can withstand daily wear and tear from children and common household incidents like spilled wine. The product line will encompass upholstered furniture, case goods, accessories, wallpapers, and pillows. Hammel describes the aesthetic of Brooke & Lou as a "fresh take on traditional preppy style," drawing inspiration from her Texan roots and an affinity for Southern design. This influence is intended to create a welcoming, bright, and cheerful home environment. The article highlights some of Hammel's previous design projects, showcasing her personal style, which she characterizes as a blend of coastal, preppy, and cottage elements. An example of this is a powder room featured in the article. Another project, a black-and-white entry, is noted as being particularly popular among her extensive Instagram following, which exceeds 45,000. The emphasis on practicality is further illustrated by a kitchen design where the fabric on the bar stools is described as "life-friendly," capable of easy cleaning even after spills like spaghetti. The collection aims to make stylish yet robust home furnishings more accessible to a broader audience. #BriaHammel #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #BrookeAndLou #KidFriendlyDesign #LifeFriendlyProducts #SouthernStyle #PreppyDesign

Luxury shoe designer Brian Atwood and his husband, Jake Deutsch, collaborated with The Container Store Custom Closets to transform their walk-in closets at 15 Hudson Yards into a highly organized and sophisticated space. Their vision for the closet design was to create a curated home for their extensive collection of clothing, bags, and shoes, making the process of staying stylish effortless. They selected The Container Store's Avera closet system, valuing both chic aesthetics and functional storage. Key design elements include ample space for folding and display, which gives each area the feel of a luxurious dressing room. Small details, such as Avera Jewelry Organizer Trays for sunglasses and Herringbone 12-Compartment Organizers for belts, contribute to the high-end boutique-like presentation of their accessories. The closets are conceptualized as an extension of their modern, sexy, and striking apartment, rather than a hidden space. The couple integrated art and other design objects to achieve a seamless aesthetic throughout their home. Luggage and duffels are prominently displayed, serving as an installation that adds to the visual impact. The doors leading to the closets are painted with a high-gloss finish in a dark color, creating an interesting and polished look that extends into the closet interiors, so much so that Atwood suggests doors are almost unnecessary. To maximize space and functionality, they worked closely with a designer to delineate each closet's purpose based on their specific needs for hanging, drawer, and shoe space, much like a custom-tailored suit. They ultimately settled on a primary clothing closet, a dedicated shoe closet, and a coat/sport closet. Shallow wing walls in the master closet allowed for the use of 14-inch deep shelves to further optimize storage. Atwood’s extensive experience as a shoe designer greatly influenced the closet's layout, prioritizing visibility and accessibility for his shoe collection with shallower shelves. The design strategically places frequently accessed items at eye level, reserving higher areas for display and less frequent storage, thus avoiding the need for ladders in daily use. He emphasizes the importance of merchandising the space, treating it like a high-end boutique, with careful attention to color flow and sequential coordination of items. Details such as rolled Hermès blankets, sweatshirts, and a silk-covered bench for sitting reflect the intentional layering of luxury throughout the design. High-tech solutions include integrated dimmable lighting on every shelf of the Avera system, adding a 'wow factor,' and push-to-open, soft-close drawers for enhanced functionality. The chosen stone finish for the Avera closet system provides a fresh, modern, warm, and masculine palette, elevating the overall result to appear custom-built rather than off-the-shelf. The materials and design choices stand in stark contrast to typical inexpensive-looking closet materials often found in jarring white finishes. Monique C. Valeris, Home Design Director for Good Housekeeping and former digital editor at Elle Decor, conducted the interview, highlighting Atwood’s meticulous approach to creating a truly luxurious and functional storage solution. #BrianAtwood #ClosetDesign #LuxuryStorage #TheContainerStore #AveraSystem #HomeOrganization #FashionDesigner #InteriorDesign #NYCInteriors

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, renowned for their dedication to creating a functional and organized home, have found innovative solutions for managing clutter, particularly in their bedroom, which they identified as a major source of disarray. Their collaboration with Amber and Chris Earl of Earl Home, specialists in custom woodworking and storage furniture, proved instrumental in transforming their living spaces. The Earls are recognized for their bespoke designs, ranging from a bar with a slide-out ice tub to a dog bed with a hidden drawer, demonstrating their expertise in crafting highly functional yet aesthetically pleasing pieces. The project involved addressing various areas in Bell's home, including the bedroom and office, by incorporating key pieces from Earl Home's collection, such as the Lapilo Desk, Lapilo Ottoman, and Kabot Storage Trunk. One significant transformation was the entry to their bedroom, which suffered from awkward angles and became a 'dump zone' for miscellaneous items. Amber Earl's initial recommendation was to replace bulky drapes with a space-saving Roman shade. Following this, the Earls designed and installed two built-in wardrobes with mirrored doors that seamlessly integrated into the entry. A custom desk was then fitted between these wardrobes, complemented by an Earl Moresby chair, effectively creating a functional workspace within the bedroom entry. Bell also highlighted several other favored organization products. For managing unsightly cables, she endorsed a scalloped edge handmade cable management box, which, priced under $25, offers an inexpensive solution to hide tangled cords. Another innovative custom solution developed by Earl Home was built-in headboards designed to match the existing bedroom walls. These headboards ingeniously incorporated hidden top cubbies, primarily used by Bell's daughters for stowing away personal items like candy and other secrets, effectively keeping their treasures out of sight and maintaining a tidy appearance. Furthermore, for the laundry room, Bell recommended a rattan storage basket from Michele Varian, priced at $44, emphasizing its utility in concealing items that one would prefer not to display. For organizing 'junk drawers,' she suggested the NeatMethod Acacia Wood Multipurpose Organizer from Crate & Barrel, which costs $40. This organizer is praised for its adjustability, allowing it to fit various drawer sizes, and its ability to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the drawer's interior. These recommendations underscore Bell's practical approach to home organization, favoring solutions that are both functional and visually appealing, contributing to a more serene and clutter-free living environment. #KristenBell #HomeOrganization #BedroomStorage #BuiltInFurniture #ClutterRemedies #CustomWoodwork #EarlHome #StorageSolutions #InteriorDesign

HGTV star Christina Anstead, known for "Flip or Flop" and "Christina on the Coast," offers a video tour of her baby boy's newly designed nursery. Expecting her first child with husband Ant Anstead, Christina reveals a sun-drenched room featuring modern white furniture, layered rugs, and bohemian accents. The nursery includes a star mobile above the crib, a hippo-shaped rocker, and a large dream catcher on the wall. The bookshelves are filled with stuffed animals, toy cars, and books, likely shared by the couple's older children. Christina is already a mother to Taylor, 8, and Braden, 3, from her previous marriage with Tarek El Moussa, while Ant Anstead has Amelie, 15, and Archie, 12, from a prior relationship. The room's color scheme predominantly features black, white, and beige, with vibrant touches such as a metallic gold pouf and green plants. This nursery design aligns with the "California Contemporary Boho" aesthetic prevalent throughout her new home, which she showcased earlier in the year. The boho theme extended to her recent baby shower, which incorporated dream catcher decorations and a succulent planting station. The article emphasizes that the baby will join a large blended family, but will also have a tranquil, designer retreat for moments of peace. #ChristinaAnstead #NurseryDesign #BohoChic #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CelebrityHome #BabyRoom #HGTV

The article explores the "Barbiecore" aesthetic, a vibrant and whimsical design trend inspired by the iconic Barbie doll and the recent viral movie. This trend, characterized by its predominant use of pink, extends beyond a single shade to embrace a lively, joyful, and playful atmosphere in home decor. The resurgence of Barbie's influence, particularly after 63 years of media presence, has fueled a desire among consumers to replicate the distinct style of the Barbie Dreamhouse in their own living spaces. The article caters to this demand by showcasing 22 specific home decor items that embody the Barbiecore aesthetic. The featured products are categorized by different areas of the home, including the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, offering a comprehensive guide for transforming an entire residence. For the living room, the article suggests incorporating abstract pastel side tables, hot pink coffee table trays, and classic Barbie-themed signs or pillows. Examples include a Typo Barbie Square Cushion, an OtNiap Disco Ball Planter, a Ruggable Barbie™ Pink Ombre Rug, a Yellowpop Playroom neon sign, a Sophie Collé Splat Side Table, a BCMakeStuff Barbie Sign Shelf Decoration, and a Sackville & Co. Pink Jelly Rolling Tray. These selections aim to create an inviting and playful ambiance right at the home's entrance, appealing to an inner childlike wonder. In the kitchen, the Barbiecore trend manifests through colorful appliances and kitchenware. The article highlights brands like Smeg and Dash for their pastel-colored gadgets, emphasizing that vibrant kitchen items often lead to increased sales. Estelle Colored Glass, a Black-owned business, is presented as a source for rainbow glassware, while Food52 and Lenox offer tickled-pink kitchenware. Specific products mentioned include a Smeg Plastic Electric Tea Kettle, a Dansk Købenstyle Saucepan, a Dash Mini Toaster Oven Cooker, an Estelle Colored Glass Set Of 6 Stem Coupes, an Alexent Utility Cart With Wheels, and a Kate Spade New York Make It Pop Saucer Set. For the bedroom, the article encourages self-expression with rosy squiggle mirrors, blush-colored curtain rods, and hot pink acrylic vases. These items are designed to complement fuzzy bedding, such as the Urban Outfitters Heart Puff Velour Comforter. A unique suggestion is a pink heart lightbulb, described as a charming and potentially Barbie-approved accessory. Other bedroom decor items include an Uncommon Goods Rechargeable Cordless Magic Heart Light Bulb, a DaizySight Acrylic Flower Vase, an Ophelia & Co. Lakewood Crown Telescoping Single Curtain Rod, and a Simmer Stone Wave Pattern Irregular Makeup Mirror. Finally, the bathroom is envisioned with a touch of glitter and bold color. The article proposes a glitter-pink toilet seat, paired with a wild, wild West-themed shower curtain from Society6, Hai's Rose Quartz Smart Showerhead, and bright white towels accented with fiery pink trim. These elements combine to create a bathroom space that rivals the iconic Barbie aesthetic. The specific items highlighted are an Ayeyokp Yee Haw Shower Curtain, an Angol Shiold Resin Toilet Seat, an Annie Selke Signature Banded White/fuchsia Towel, and a Hai Rose Quartz Hai Smart Showerhead. The article concludes by noting that all listed products are independently selected by the editorial team and that Refinery29 may earn a commission from purchases made through the provided links. #Barbiecore #HomeDecor #PinkAesthetic #InteriorDesign #WhimsicalDecor #DreamhouseStyle #BarbieInspired #HomeStyling #EclecticDesign

Naomi Coe, founder of California-based design studio Little Crown Interiors, led the creation of a luxurious and functional nursery for real estate moguls in Beverly Hills. The 275-square-foot space was transformed into a "cozy, luxurious, and girly" environment for their new daughter, blending existing pieces with modern and traditional elements. The design process began with the client's request to incorporate a cherished Edra sofa, which served as a focal point around which the color palette of whites, pinks, and bronze accents was built. A key aspect of Coe's design philosophy for nurseries is ensuring the baby's crib is placed in a safe and central location. For this project, a Nursery Works crib, chosen for its all-acrylic construction, was positioned on the back wall opposite the sofa. This selection introduced a modern touch that harmonized with the home's traditional architectural features, while also contributing to an open and airy feel within the room. Blush hues and diverse textural elements were integral to achieving the desired aesthetic. Notable additions included a custom Kifu Paris changing table and a striking Alexander McQueen-designed rug. The rug, described by Coe as the centerpiece, introduced a whimsical element characteristic of a nursery while maintaining sophistication through subtle black accents, fulfilling the client's desire for an elegant yet playful space. To further enhance the room's traditional aspects and leverage its architectural features, Coe and her team looked to the ceiling. They collaborated with Rebel Walls to customize a wallpaper design that would fit the high, inset ceiling, creating a distinctive statement piece. The chosen color and pattern added a new dimension to the room, drawing the eye upward and contributing to the overall dreamy and curated atmosphere of the nursery. The project successfully combined practicality with high-end design, delivering a personalized and elegant space for the new family. #NurseryDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryInteriors #BeverlyHills #LittleCrownInteriors #HomeDecor #FeminineDesign #ModernLuxury #ResidentialDesign