The other week we came across this “Behind the Clothes” video on Stylelist featuring Courtney Love. Although she is known for her “grunge” look, Love actually has a very extensive closet. But we do have some pointers for her.
0:25 Before Love rocked out in the band Hole, she worked in a wardrobe department. This is where she learned all about vintage clothing, she says. Almost 30 years later, she still draws inspiration from antique pieces.
2:16 Love shares some of her closet with Scott Lipps. Right away, we adore her ‘90s Prada pumps but dislike their display—wooden shelves hide the shoes. Instead, we would recommend glass shelves to bring in light.
2:59 Because Love collects both modern and vintage pieces in her wardrobe, we recommend she invest less in the thick, satin hangers and more in the slim ones—such as the
Slimline hangers by Real Simple.
3:15 Protect your gloves, Love! Although she’s “big on a glove,” Love’s woven basket won’t protect them from sun damage. A better solution would be to display them in a shallow drawer; this would also make the gloves easier to access.
4:27 Love’s Chloé blouse is not only “utilitarian” but also super cute! However, she wouldn’t have to dig it out of the closet if she organized by color or style.
Love, let us revamp your closet!
Dress shirts buttoned to the collar don’t wrinkle when they’re hung. But removing the hangers can cause a struggle between you and the shirt. Afraid to yank the hanger and damage the shirt, you consider unbuttoning the shirt—if only there weren’t so many buttons!
Quirky, a product manufacturer, launched a solution to your problem. The SOLO hangers are a quick and easy way to remove your shirts.
Made of polypropylene plastic, the hangers collapse into a scissor-like shape and are easy to remove from the narrowest of collars such as turtlenecks. The design even allows you to do this with one hand!
The SOLO hangers are available in packs of four for $10.99 each and have notches to hang camisoles and other pieces of clothing, too. They would make a great stocking stuffer this holiday season.
We can’t wait to get a hand on them!
In September, we blogged a sneak peak, behind-the-scenes look of CEO Lisa Adam’s project in Pacific Palisades. Now that you’re in the process of putting up that last strand of garland or piece of mistletoe around your home, we’d like to share some of the final closet design.
Improvements to the client’s closet started with shelving. Lisa recommended using angled shelves to clearly display shoes—organized by color, style and brand. Also, by installing glass shelves, handbags are kept out of the dark and are easy to clean.
Lisa also opened the closet and let in light by using a mirror dresser from Horchow and a state-of-the-art vanishing TV mirror by Seura. These pieces reflect light while still looking classy. Also, by removing the stand-alone TV set the client previously had on her dresser, Lisa made more space for accented details such as photo frames and an orchid plant.
The client requested a place to relax as well. Ultimately, each person’s closet is a reflection of himself. So, it was only fitting that the client be at the center of the closet. Lisa brought in a silver tufted ottoman, large enough for the client to lounge and positioned for the client to see the Seura TV mirror.
Lisa’s tricks and tips were helpful in this closet makeover process and can be helpful throughout your holiday decorating, too. To read more, check out the L.A. at Home blog on the L.A. Times.
For all you last minute shoppers out there, LA Closet Design has a present for you. We’ve put together a list of all those last minute gifts for loved ones that, well…you still haven’t bought yet. Happy Shopping!
1. LAFCO candles; $55 on gilt.com. We are particularly fond of their “Dressing Room” candle.
2. Everyone needs a good table top book, so we recommend gifting Kelly Wearstler’s book, “Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style;” $29.70 on amazon.com
3. To keep your friends and loved ones warm/dry on those cold winter nights, try giving them the Pendleton x Urban Outfitters throw blankets and bath towels; starting at $48 on urbanoutfitters.com.
4. For the prettiest suds around. Gift that special someone LAFCO NY’s Claus Porto Sorted Pastille Soap; starting at $19 on finelineandbath.com. Even if they don’t use them, they’re just so pretty to look at.
5. Need stocking stuffers? Give the gift of scented linen. Try LACD’s very own lavender dry bags; 3 for $40.50 on laclosetdesign.com.
6. For that big splurge for a modern luxury, we’ve been drooling over Nancy Gonzalez’ crocodile ipad case; $900 on net-a-porter.com. Ipad’s never looked so good.
Tis the season to be giving and what a better way to give back this holiday season than through a local charity. Since 2009, I’ve been fortunate enough to work as an ambassador to worldwide charity, Dress For Success, and this past weekend I helped to design and sponsor their pop-up store space in Hollywood.
In addition to getting the store up and running for the weekend, LA Closet Design was awarded the task of designing the store’s window display/art installation; which I am very proud of! Drawing inspiration from the DFS logo of a little black dress, we designed and draped a mannequin in a dress made completely out of black paper and newspaper. Then from the ceiling, we hung a series of beautifully painted red hangers tied off with ribbon. It was nothing short of a show stopper.
The weekend event went off without a hitch. With such amazing brands and designers as Joe’s Jeans and Rebecca Taylor donating merchandise; guest celebrity stylists to help shoppers score that perfect go-to outfit; our goal was to raise $10K and we succeeded in raising over $25,000! With 100% of the proceeds going to DFS-West, I want to thank any and all who came out to support, donate, and shop the event. You all are the reason it was so successful. For those of you who couldn’t make it, we look forward to helping your dress for success next year!
BUDGETING BLISS
By this time, we’re sure you have begun to think about the beloved onslaught of Christmas shopping. Uncle Bob wants a toolkit, Mom wants a cashmere scarf and your oldest sister simply must have the iPhone 4S. Before generosity mode kicks into overdrive, please (for the sake of 2012) make a budget! While the tinsel sparkle and cheery holiday carols can easily tantalize you into overspending, setting a specific budget for how much you would like to spend on decorations, gifts, food, etc. will keep you grounded and practical. Now here’s the hard part of budgeting: Stick to it! If an impulse buy doesn’t fit your budget, then don’t make it part of your holiday season. When January 1st comes, you’ll be so glad you planned ahead.
