Thanks so much for the love on yesterday’s Dressing Room Diaries post…I’m thrilled you like those, because I absolutely love trying on and reviewing clothes! Especially when it means spending an afternoon with Mama SP! Plus, I love hearing how helpful they are in your own online shopping. If you ever have special requests, please include them in the comments and I’ll look for particular items for future posts.
But today let’s get back to our Master Closet makeover. I shared the before shots and design plan for this space last week, and since then, there’s been some big progress. Actually, if you follow my Instastories, then you know the space is pretty much done, and The Container Store was here for two days last week shooting and filming it for an upcoming feature on their site. I can’t wait for all the big reveals, but first, I want to take you through the steps so you’ll know the process if you’re considering similar makeovers of your own.
I’ve worked with The Container Store before to transform our Craft Closet, but the biggest difference with this experience was utilizing one of their Contained Home Organizers, Alison. I’m no stranger to organizing (see my projects here), so I wasn’t sure why we needed to bring someone else in, but wowza was I wrong! Alison made the process so easy and painless, not to mention, had so many ideas and tips that took our closet to a whole other level!
The first step was our initial meeting, where she came to the house and we chatted all things closets, clothes, needs, and wants. Then she scoped out our space and observed how I utilize it, and pinpointed problem spots. Finally, she took all the necessary measurements, and working in tandem with an Organizational Expert with The Container Store, they designed the full elfa closet system to meet our specific needs.
A few days later, the design was emailed to me, and she walked me through every choice and decision, and I weighed in with a few tweaks. Once that was finalized, the elfa order was placed and installation scheduled! #cueexcitement
As if all that’s not helpful enough, Alison came back the day before install and carefully and methodically emptied the contents of our closet. She loaded her own racks and carts with everything, and began sorting and organizing. Granted it was overwhelming, but can you imagine if I’d emptied it myself?! There would be clothes, shoes and bags stashed on every flat surface of our house! For me, this step alone is worth the extra expense of using a Contained Home Organizer!
I used this opportunity for more purging and donating…because once you have a new closet, you’re very particular about what gets to go back in it! Alison prepped everything during this stage, too, so that things were ready to go once the closet was installed. She stuffed my clutches and handbags with these quilted fillers, used similar fillers for my boots, folded everything that would live in drawers, and rehung all our clothes on the fabulous Huggable Hangers. These items are definitely an investment, but they’re invaluable in extending the life of your clothes and accessories.
Her method is so organized and refined, I had no stress or anxiety about the chaos! And we were left with an empty closet, ready for demo and install!
The next morning, our installers delivered all the elf materials, and carefully demoed the built-in closet structure.
They finished the day by patching and painting over any necessary areas, and cleaned up any mess.
In other makeover news, the new Crystorama chandeliers arrived to replace this sweet fluorescent tube!
The installers returned the next day for the full installation, but that will have to wait until our next update! As will the insane Karastan cheetah carpet! #swoon
Have you ever used the Contained Home Organizer Service available at The Container Store? I’m a firm believer and hardcore fan now. For $100, you get an in-home consultation and a personalized design and organization plan! There’s no question the elfa shelving and drawer system is fabulous, but it can work so much harder for you with the help of their organizing experts. If you’ve been considering a makeover for your closet, pantry, garage, you name it…the The Container Store Annual elfa Sale is going on now, with 30% off all elfa products and elfa installation!
*This post is created in collaboration with The Container Store, but all opinions, design, and organizer-fan-girling are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
