Create a Closet Makeover in the New Year

Happy New Year! The holidays are over and it’s time to think about new goals and projects you want to tackle for the year. A great personal project in your home to tackle at the beginning of the year is your closet. Closets are an essential part of a home. I want to spend time sharing particularly about the closets in our bedroom. They are the enclosed spaces where everything is stored, most importantly our clothes. Having a well designed and organized closet can create ease in our daily lives.

Closet makeover

Know Your Closet Type. Depending on the type of closet that you have your design and organization may be different but the overall concept is the same.

• Reach-In Closets. These closets are usually found in apartments and older homes. Reach-ins are versatile in design and can easily be tucked away in corner of a room with a single door or can take up a complete wall with sliding or pocket doors. They have a rod pole with a shelf above for additional storage. If customized or designed successfully these closets can offer maximum storage with minimum space.

• Wardrobe or Armoires. These are probably the oldest form of closets and are still used today as additional forms of storage. Wardrobes can be found in lofts or modern homes as built-ins or large pieces of furniture. They usually have doors and drawers with rods and compartments inside including mirrors, hooks, and pull-outs.

• Walk-In Closets. Walk-ins are a room within themselves. They are often considered luxurious and found in master suites. In order to not waste space, I recommend a proper closet system design, lighting fixture(s), and even a seating area (if possible). A successful walk-in closet in my opinion is one that blends with the overall decor of a master bedroom.

Organize Your Closet. Whether you have a reach-in, wardrobe or walk-in closet without organization your closet is just a space full of stuff everywhere. You should open the door(s) to your closet and know what you need and where to find it. Depending on your closet type, amount of clothing, and your budget you may want to consider purchasing or custom designing a full closet system. Even a small reach-in closet can benefit from a closet system with additional shelves and drawers. Tracey Evelyn, a wardrobe stylist expert recommends categorizing your closet. She says that by grouping all your blouses together, your skirts together and dresses together they make moving through your closet such a breeze. Tracey helps her clients organize their clothing in their closets to make getting dressed easy and quick through her personal Closet Edit service.

group your clothing

Decorate Your Closet. Just like any space the functional component is essential but so is the aesthetic. As I mentioned earlier, your closet should blend in with the overall decor of your bedroom. For example, if your bedroom is rustic with a neutral color palette be sure that look is carried into your closet. Also, don’t be afraid to accessorize with the space you have. Check out my post on Must Haves for Decorating your Closet for tips and inspiration.

Let’s start the new year fresh and organized! Share below what home projects you are hoping to tackle this year.

Bonne année ! Happy New Year!

Bring Fall Looks and Scents Into your Home

Though the seasons this year have taken an unusual twist, by that I mean it feels as though we went from summer straight to winter, I still want to celebrate and enjoy the fall season. Fall is suppose to be the beautiful transition from the hot summer day to the cold wintery nights. I love watching the leaves turn into rich earth tone colors before they gently drop to the ground.

As the seasons change so do we. From our wardrobe to our home decor we add multiple layers and textures mixed with dark color tones during this transition of seasons. The great thing is you can add fall looks and scents in small ways that can make a big impact.

Add Layers. A well designed space has layers. This can be as simple as adding a soft throw to the arm of your sofa or switching out your spring and summer pillows with a grouping of fall colored pillows. In your dining area try adding a runner to your table for texture and definition or new bedding for your relaxing bedroom. Tracey Evelyn, stylist expert and owner of Tracey Evelyn recommends the following fabrics and textures on trend this fall: leather, chenille, burlap, knit, tweed and faux fur.

Add Fall Scents. This tip hits home for me. Why? Because I enjoy beautiful scents, especially when they are subtle and natural. Anyone that knows me, knows I love candles. Actually, I would say I’m obsessed with candles! This past September I had the great joy of experiencing making my own candle with some friends at a new BYOB eco-friendly candle making studio called Wax + Wine in Philadelphia. During my time there I had the chance to chat with Co-Founder, Jordan Beletz about what scents add to a space in the fall season.

Sabine: In a brief sentence, explain what is Wax + Wine?

Jordan: Wax + Wine is a BYOB candle making experience.

Sabine: I'm a big believer that scents affect how people feel in a space. In your opinion, what are some benefits to adding aromatics to a space?

Jordan: It sets a mood and becomes a piece of interior. Similar to how fresh flowers always make a statement, a candle scent evokes memories and conversation. It adds another dimension to a space. It adds emotion to something beautiful.

Sabine: What is it about the scent of pumpkins that resonates with people in the fall?

Jordan: It brings back memories. From pumpkin picking with their family when they were children, it’s a sign of a season changing. Summer is over and winter is near, and there is no better season then fall. Plus everyone loves pumpkins.

Sabine: From your collection of scents at Wax + Wine, what are your favorite scents for the fall season and why?

Jordan: I love the basics. Hazelnut Coffee, Pumpkin Chai, and Fresh Coffee. I love their strong scents, every time I light them it makes any room feel warmer, and they just smell delicious~

Sabine: What makes a quality candle?

Jordan: A high grade, quality wax and top grade fragrance oil and the proper ratio. Candle making is a science, and we are always trying to improve our recipe.

Personally, my favorite fall look and scent this season are soft throws with my bayberry cypress candle. Share in the comments below what your favorite look or scent is this season. I look forward to reading what your favorites are.

À la prochaine,