Friday, January 26, 2007

Completed closet makeover

While I'm not a mom who insists on "me" time, I am starting to draw some boundaries. I will no longer cram "everything else" into MY closet!

I moved the sewing basket to the laundry, the extra pillows under the bed, the kids' gym bag to the trunk of the car. Now, the only items in my closet are there for dressing myself.

My wardrobe is very lean as I oh-so-slowly lose post-baby pounds. I guess one could call it philosophically French--few items, but of better quality.

I only keep as many pairs of shoes as I can fit on this shelf. A quilted tote above holds flip flops and swim suits. My walking shoes stay in the kitchen shoe box.

I started hanging my nightgowns when I gave up dressers for more living space. After the baby started sleeping through the night, I did invest $30 in lingerie at Dillard's 75% off sale. I wanted something pretty for the evenings to help me shift away from "mommy mode."

My closet is interrupted by a heating and air duct. It takes a chunk of space, but I can place a basket there for undergarments.
On the shoe shelf, another yard sale basket holds socks and tights. I lined the basket with the extra cashmere to prevent snags. I hung my paltry accessories near the portrait--a pearl necklace, a fabric flower pin, and some earrings clipped to the ribbon.
Here are the earlier posts in this series:

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your closet, down to the rod and hangers, is so very pretty! I like the idea of displaying the jewelry on a ribbon, pleasant to the eye and handy to reach for.

Anonymous said...

Apparently I cannot be trusted to either sign my comment, or post the follow-up apology for being anonymous in my first post. Sheesh. I'm heading for another cup of joe.

Anonymous said...

beautiful...what did you use to scallop the edge of the shelf....

great job....

as for a poem. i'll look around..

Celina in Canada

Anonymous said...

How beautiful! Everytime your little one goes for the closet, she will surely see what is is to be a woman! I love the use over the heating and air duct. You have wonderful ideas!!

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

You did a wonderful job. It's so "girly" as my daughter would put it. I love the idea of closet just for me. Hmmm... I may have to see about that once we move.

Anonymous said...

Simple and lovely.
As to an inspirational verse- what about Proverbs 31:30?
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.Proverbs 31:30
It seems fitting to me as it is the same chapter as "like merchant ships" . . . . .
Or perhaps 1 Peter 3:3-4?
Hope this helps.

Kim said...

Oh, my! You did a bee-YOU-ti-ful job! That is so pretty and feminine!

Ann'Re said...

Your closet is so lovely! I have one closet in our bedroom and we will be redoing this spring and now I can't wait.

I agree with Amy W...Proverbs 31:30 is what I was going to suggest too!

Kristi said...

It looks beautiful, Meredith! The scalloped edge on the shelves, just completes the whole look!

Marsha said...

The closet I share with my husband is actually a small unheated bedroom a short way down the hall from our bedroom (our 200+ year old house is short on closets and bathrooms and long on bedrooms - ten of them!) That closet currently stores 1) clothes, 2) linens, 3) miscellaneous stuff like wrapping paper and gifts-to-be-given and 4) an enourmous artificial Christmas tree box too large to make it up to the third floor.

I'm feeling inspired by your post to make at least SOME semblance of sense of it all, though. There's *got* to be a way to make the room more useful AND attractive.

DonnaB said...

I love it! And it didn't seem to take you long to do this small thing for yourself!

Anonymous said...

That fabric-covered rod is really pretty. I was skeptical, but I really should have KNOWN not to question. LOL.

Anonymous said...

ADDED:
we have a LONG closet in our room that we are sharing and actually putting in larger door so we can actually use half of it...we will then use my husband's armoire in the guest room (which is now an office...lots of projects over here too) to free up space, we will be dividing it into two areas..and i think i'll "girly-fy" mine and maybe make his manly, with dark wood, vintage hockey print...

i NEVER considered putting a print in my closet

and i agree a few passages from proverb 31 would be fitting....

just love it

Celina in canada

Monica Wilkinson said...

Gasp! That is simply gorgeous! It looks straight out of a magazine. Well done, my friend.

Emily (Laundry and Lullabies) said...

Wow, what a beautiful result! I'm wishing that my closet looked like that right now. Somehow everything that doesn't fit anywhere else ends up in our master bedroom closet. :( I'd love to change that, but I'm not sure where else to put it all! Perhaps once we finish the closet in our son's room, that will help. We're in the process of installing shelving - hurrah! In any case, thank you for the inspiration. Maybe after our new baby shows up (this week, please God!) I'll find a way to work on that project. :)

Anonymous said...

What a pretty and functional space, bravo! I love that you put your wedding picture in there, it will remind you of how beautiful you already are.

Sara said...

Prov 31:30 is my favorite for your closet, and certainly more feminine than the option I propose here, but you could also consider Eph 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil" as a reminder when you're getting dressed, to "put on" your spiritual clothes as well!

Anonymous said...

Meredith, it's beautiful! I too was going to suggest Proverbs 31:30. I'm interested to hear what verse you do choose, though.

martha said...

So, so, so elegant and feminine. Your closet is an excellent example of beautiful simplicity. It looks like it belongs to a princess, a princess who has given most of her wealth to the needy, but has appropriate respect for herself. I want my whole house and my life to reflect that same spirit.

Your blog, today's especially, has again inspired me to make some good changes.

Thank you! Martha

Anonymous said...

An inspiration, Meredith! Thank you so much for sharing! Dana

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful closet!!! My closet is the dumping grounds for everything and I have so many clothes that never get worn that I can hardly hang up my clothes.

Hmmm maybe I need to do a Tackle it Tuesday for my closet.

I how you made it so pretty. Did you just cover the rod with paper?

Very, very lovely.

Tiffany said...

Your closet is beautiful! I love how simple it appears to the eye. My closet is very organized - but I have way too many clothes. I need to weed through because it can be overwhelming to look at! -Tiffany

Keziah said...

That is so pretty! I have been trying to tidy out my drawers and wardrobes too, and you have inspired me with what to do when I am all finished!

Birdie said...

Lovely and inspiring.

Anonymous said...

The results of your hard work, Meredith, are breathtaking! Simple. Elegant. Beautiful. Very feminine. I echo the chorus for the Proverbs 31 verse, but I'm sure whatever you ultimately choose will be just right for your new closet space.

Roberta said...

Your closet is lovely. Very feminine. And once again very inspiring. I also love your laundry room. Gorgeous.

For a verse:
Ps. 51:10-12
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Going into my closet and seeing this verse would remind me seek that which is best, first thing in the morning, and put worship in my heart as well. I guess I ought to stick it in my closet. :)

Roberta said...

I forgot to ask in my last comment.
Do you have the info from your bedroom's paint color, and if so would you mind sharing it?
I would love to know as there are a few rooms in our home that I am considering in a similar shade .

Anonymous said...

The most beautiful closet I have ever seen! Something to inspire all of us! Thank you for the encouragement.

Anonymous said...

I decided to open a Saturday Showcase because I run across some neat blogs each week. I've chosen you to be my first showcase. :o)

I have my "closet re-do" on my to do list for sometime this year, lol.

Have a blessed week.

Anonymous said...

How many different outfits do you have in your closet? How many nighties? I would love to get rid of all the old clothes I no longer wear! I just don't know what to keep/how many? You have been an inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Hi Meredith!
I think the closet is beautiful, too, and having such a lovely closet makes getting dressed every morning a fun event!
I love the idea of a verse. My suggestion is just a little bit different than the others. I like Proverbs 31:25 in the New American Standard version of the Bible. It says:
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future."
This verse always makes me reflect on the attributes that make a woman truly regal and lovely....kind of like a "Beauty and the Beast" or "Prince and the Pauper" kind of thing. That is, that we are only as beautiful on the outside, no matter what our clothing, as we are loving and kind on the inside.
Enjoy your "new" closet!
Susan in Illinois

Someone Beautiful said...

Nice! This would make me smile everytime I went to pick an outfit or nightgown! :) You have a delightful talent! What a blessing that is for your daughter to have your example.

Meredith said...

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Roberta, Lowes no longer makes this paint color, which was chosen by the previous owners.It's a basic golden beige.

Celina, the scallops on the shelves are inexpertly cut out of leftover wallpaper, turned with the white side out. I trimmed to fit the depth of each shelf, then folded accordion style and cut half-scallops like paper dolls.

Anonymous, I can't really suggest a set number of clothes. I am nursing, which means I have more nightgowns (5) because they can only be worn once before washing. Likewise, my closet has only separates, no dresses--probably 4 everyday outfits and two nicer outfits for church.

Above all, I see no point in holding on to clothes which don't fit right now. They prevent you from enjoying the clothes that do fit. Give them to someone who can use them before they go out of style in the back of your closet. Let them go! When you lose weight, it will be a pleasure to choose new clothes.

Meredith said...

I should add, I am the ultimate caster-out of clothes which don't fit. Probably to the extreme! My mom-friends, who have had more size ups and downs through pregnancies, tend to keep a wider range of sizes. For me, it didn't make sense to move extra clothes. I did keep a few of my very best maternity pieces, but if I am lucky enough to have another baby, I'll celebrate with a trip to Goodwill!

Meredith said...

Theresa, that's such a compliment! Only I can't click through to your blog--something is wrong with the code.

Monica Wilkinson said...

How about 1 Peter 3:3-4?

Caroline said...

I come here often but his absolutely made me stop and comment. Your closet is beautiful and I just love it. You gave me some great ideas! I can't wait to do something girlie in my closet!

What verse did you pick?

Candy said...

I love your closet!!!!!!!!