Photography by Ken Wyner 2101 Connecticut Avenue (c.1928), an 8-story brick and limestone Beaux Arts style building with spacious apartments, is said to have been “the finest apartment house to appear in Washington between the two World Wars.” (James M. Goode, Best Addresses, 1988.) As advertised for rent in 1928, the apartments were designed “to incorporate many details that would aid the residents in establishing a home atmosphere, one possessing charm and dignity usually found only in a private house… the character and tenancy (being) assured through careful selection of guests.” Home to Senators, Ambassadors, a Vice President and a Supreme Court Justice as well as numerous Washington socialites, the building still stands as one of the undisputed “best addresses” in Washington, DC.) So well laid-out was this gracious 3,000 sf apartment that the basic floor plan remains unchanged from the original architect’s 1927 design. The organizing feature was, and continues to be, the grand “gallery” space in the center of the unit. Every room in the apartment can be accessed via the gallery, thus preserving it as the centerpiece of the “charm and dignity” which the original design intended. Programmatic modifications consisted of the addition of a small powder room off of the foyer, and the conversion of a corner “sun room” into a room for meditation and study. The apartment received a thorough updating of all systems, services and finishes, including a new kitchen and new bathrooms, several new built-in cabinetry units, and the consolidation of numerous small closets and passageways into more accessible and efficient storage spaces.

Sunset Park Townhouse, Brooklyn

Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture

Kids custom closets

Marie Newton, Closets Redefined

Modern w/ a Side of Ranch

Hufft

This contemporary renovation makes no concession towards differentiating the old from the new. Rather than razing the entire residence an effort was made to conserve what elements could be worked with and added space where an expanded program required it. Clad with cedar, the addition contains a master suite on the first floor and two children’s rooms and playroom on the second floor. A small vegetated roof is located adjacent to the stairwell and is visible from the upper landing. Interiors throughout the house, both in new construction and in the existing renovation, were handled with great care to ensure an experience that is cohesive. Partition walls that once differentiated living, dining, and kitchen spaces, were removed and ceiling vaults expressed. A new kitchen island both defines and complements this singular space. The parti is a modern addition to a suburban midcentury ranch house. Hence, the name “Modern with Ranch.”

Traditional Closet

San Francisco re:dux

Turner Martin Design

The master bedroom closets are behind shoji panel doors. The hanging light fixture was created using a rustic woven reed fish trap. Dennis Anderson

Pima Canyon Residence Interiors

John Senhauser Architects

Our client initially asked us to assist with selecting materials and designing a guest bath for their new Tucson home. Our scope of work progressively expanded into interior architecture and detailing, including the kitchen, baths, fireplaces, stair, custom millwork, doors, guardrails, and lighting for the residence – essentially everything except the furniture. The home is loosely defined by a series of thick, parallel walls supporting planar roof elements floating above the desert floor. Our approach was to not only reinforce the general intentions of the architecture but to more clearly articulate its meaning. We began by adopting a limited palette of desert neutrals, providing continuity to the uniquely differentiated spaces. Much of the detailing shares a common vocabulary, while numerous objects (such as the elements of the master bath – each operating on their own terms) coalesce comfortably in the rich compositional language. Photo Credit: William Lesch

Four Winds

Clos-ette LLC

Venice Residence - (fer) studio

(fer) studio

Contemporary Closet

Built-in Wardrobe Design Ideas

As compact urban living becomes the norm, there has become a higher demand for smart storage solutions. As a result, there are more innovative storage ideas than ever. Aside from storage baskets and shelving units, you can now install custom-made built-in wardrobes, shape-shifting storage cubes, and even concealed units. Browse the photos on Houzz for inspiration for a wide variety of storage and wardrobe solutions, from cube storage to wall units, shoe racks and sliding doors. You’ll find walk-in wardrobes boasting spinning shoe racks, lounge chairs and display cases with lighting; as well as more simpler storage solutions like room dividers that double as storage, pull-out baskets and floating shelves. If you decide to revamp your wardrobe or storage space, it’s important to consider whether built-ins are a suitable option. Although more expensive, shop-built and installed components are more durable and bring all of your elements together in one unit. If you can’t afford a built-in wardrobe, or if you need more storage, consider baskets, dividers, storage containers, hooks and racks to help ensure every item has a place, and opt for sliding doors to save space. A professional organiser can help you get setup.

How many cabinets should built-in wardrobes have?

The size of your built-in wardrobe should be largely dependant on how much hanging space you actually need. Just because you have a blank wall, for example, doesn’t mean it has to be filled with a large wardrobe. Position shelves above hanging space to be more ergonomic, and only add drawers if you plan on having an open wardrobe as this will add to the overall price. A dresser or chest of drawers is a better option for fold-away clothes, so long as you have the room. Shoe collections can also take up ample room in a built-in wardrobe, so consider a purpose-built cabinet or shoe racks instead.

How do I organise my wardrobe or cupboard?

With so many shoes, ties, clothes and bags to stash, wardrobe organisation is key. Use hooks, storage baskets, drawer partitions or dividers to keep your belongings in order. Storage baskets are great for storing things like belts and scarves, while shelf dividers can keep knits, jeans and shirts neatly packed away. Take pride in your shoe collection? Create a shoe storage display using a few strips of moulding mounted to the wall so you can hook your shoes. Similarly, an open robe can make your clothing a feature.

What extras can I include in my wardrobe design?

If you want a luxurious wardrobe, consider including a small sitting area with a window seat, storage ottoman, or lounge chair. You could also add a makeup vanity, complete with a jewellery box and makeup drawer. A viewing area with full-length mirrors will also make getting ready a breeze. Wardrobe lighting will bring the space to life – use display lighting to showcase your clothing, task lighting for functionality and mood lighting to set the scene.