Traditional Home Editor’s Wishlist: Chic Closet Storage

You may have seen the faces of the Traditional Homes editors smiling at you from the pages of our January catalog. They shared the items they’ve been dreaming of adding to their home, so we sat down with them to talk about their choices.

Krissa Rossbund, Traditional Home’s Senior Style Editor, has always lusted after a gorgeous walk-in closet space where she can keep all her baubles, bags, and shoes perfectly organized!

Ballard Designs: This isn’t just your dream, it’s every woman’s dream! Why do you think that is?

Krissa Rossbund: We use our closets every day, in fact, it just might be the first space we see every day. There is an interesting sense of tension in a closet. There are many similar elements so you can get a sense of structure and order, but each piece has its own personality. It’s difficult to control all the tasks that happen over a given day, it’s refreshing and reassuring to start the day in an environment that is visually appealing, organized, and efficient.

BD: What storage are you missing in your current closet setup?

KR: I’m not missing any storage…I’m missing the “know when to edit” chip…and I’m an editor☺

My biggest storage challenge has to do with boots. They are tall, and don’t fit into the cubbies that I have for my other footware. Although if high-heels don’t stop getting taller, they are going to become a problem, too.

BD: How do you make it work anyway?

KR: If there is not proper storage for shoes or boots, it’s best to leave them in their boxes so they keep their forms. Create some sort of labeling system so you can efficiently see what you have. When you are a shoe collector, it’s easy to forget what your options are when you get dressed.

BD: Here’s a puzzle, does having a perfectly organized walk-in closet speed up or slow down your morning routine? It could go either way!!

KR: I think an organized closet always speeds up the process. It’s frustrating when you are running late, and then can’t find a piece you want. Or in the winter when it’s tights season, and you grab a pair of black tights when you really wanted to wear brown. There are too many like elements in a closet—same fabrics, same shapes, and same colors. When they live on the floor or in a closet that has no system or order, it’s impossible to tell what is where. Similar colors are a big challenge in my closet. I have a lot of black because, well, everyone does, but navy blue is by far my favorite color. It’s classic and timeless. So, because navy and black can be close and difficult to differentiate, I hang black garments at one end of the closet, navy garments at the other.

And let’s be honest, it’s no fun starting you day with your heart pounding because you cannot find a sentimental piece of jewelry. Everything that goes into a closet should be put away each day before you go to bed.

BD: How would you bring your sense of fashion into the style of your closet space?

KR: I already do. Utilitarian storage units need to be softened so you don’t only see hard edges. There are so many stylish covered boxes now in varying patterns and colors. They are perfect for adding personal style. I have some that are blue-and-white toile. Striped hat boxes protect the three straw hats that I own. My closet storage hardware is all white, so it needed a little color and sparkle. Little bowls and trinket trays made of crystal and porcelain corral jewelry that I wear every day. A handful of special garments are hung from beautiful, satin-covered hangers. Everything else goes on black, velvet-coated hangers so everything appears uniform. My closet isn’t super big, but it is a walk-in, and there is enough room for a chest of drawers, a vintage lacy mirror that I bought at an antiques shop in Connecticut, and a pretty crystal lamp (chunky necklaces hang from the lamp’s hardware). There are so many stylish covered boxes now in varying patterns and colors. They are perfect for adding personal style.

Find more ideas and inspiration from Traditional Home, or sign up for a subscription to Traditional Home with a special discount here.