YES, It Was A Closet

Question: “Wait, That Was A Closet?”

Answer: “Yes, That Was A Closet.”

Inspired by Real Simple magazine's September 2009 issue, Home Furniture and Patio searches their online inventory catalogue to recreate three different closet spaces.

#1 CLOSET TO OFFICE

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Use Vertical Space with the Legare Wheat Finished Bookcase (59’x18)
· Add Charm with grey, dark brown and pale blue Mibo Wallpaper Pease Pottage. The wallpaper adds pop to a small space and is just the right “busy.”
· Contain Clutter with the molded design magazine cradle by Offi and Co.

#2 CLOSET TO BAR

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Create the Illusion of a Large Space by adding mirrors like the Kenneth Wingard Atrium Mirror. The sender textured mirror has a beveled glass center is free o ship.
· Add Subdued Lighting with the Uttermost Angelita Lamp. The burnished edges, dark brown details and antiqued silver leafing create the perfect lounge lighting.
· Serve It Straight Up in the Innermost Half Pint Glasses. These stylish, double-walled borosilicate glasses hold up to eight ounces.

#3 CLOSET TO INVITING LIBRARY

Their Tip/Our Solution:
· Use Double Duty Furniture like the Mod Loft Columbia book shelf. The shelving unit is available in whitened oak or walnut finish and has free shipping. This piece doubles as an artistic installation.
· Maximizing The Area is key, don’t be afraid to stack the books high with the help of Magis NuovaStep Ladder. A space savor; this ladder folds completely flat.
· Incorporate Personal Touches with these nickel plated Uttermost Helping Hand Bookends.

The Cure for the Bachelor Pad Blues

You feel like you are stuck in that bad episode from “Sex and the City” where Carrie spends the night in the Mecca of bachelor pads. You love your Louboutin’s, but they don’t like sleepovers in your boyfriend’s shoe closet. You just don’t get it -- he looks the part, but he just doesn’t add up in the bedroom…furniture wise that is!

“Most bachelors - of course not all - are about functionality and practicality, not about color, texture and things that you might think are design fabulous,” says Samantha Knapp, Interior Designer, TigerLily’s Greenwich. “Pick items that complement not alienate his taste.”

Here are a few ways design suggestion to help your boy-toy improve his bedroom furniture without totally alienating his masculinity.
The Over-sized Plasma

Seventy-one inches…nothing you can’t handle. When picking an entertainment set for that mammoth screen look for something simple. The Diamond Sofa 71 Inch Low Profile Plasma Cabinet from the Arctic Collection, which ships for free, brings a distinctive contemporary flair to its environment. With its sculpted three dimensional fronts, Black High Gloss Lacquer Finish, ample storage behind the Two Door design and polished stainless steel base, this piece will certainly inspire a new atmosphere in its environment. he added glass door feature makes for a great hiding spot for DVDs, CDs and Wii accessories!

He’s a California King
Yes, big or small, most guys are into large beds. Bedding, box springs, bed frames and night tables; all of which are add-ons that are probably not top on the “must get” list for your bachelor. So…when picking, choose something that is a one-stop-shop. Home Furniture and Patio’s Diamond Sofa Low Profile California King Bed is complete with a headboard, footboard, platform rails, floating night stands with drawers and does not require a box spring. I know it is almost too good to be true.

Sit Pretty With Color

A chair can double as the perfect place to throw dirty laundry and fulfills the requirement for being both practical and functional. Plus, it’s a perfect middle ground when trying to add some bedroom pizazz.












“Seating in the bedroom is a must,” says Knapp. “Bachelor pad or not, people sitting on your bed is a no-no.”

Seating options like Quinze and Milan Jellyfish House Chair, Fatboyusa Fat Boy - Island and Quinze and Milan Primary Pouf 01 Stool can accent the room and comes in pop colors like lime-green orange, red sky-blue, raspberry, purple, yellow and orange.

If you can check all of the above suggested improvement, you’ve made some major progress. If he’s really feeling his enhanced living quarters and still on-board to keep up with the progress, slowly work in rugs, bedding and lighting.

When The Outdoors Comes In

Blossoming Ms. Spring and fire-hot Mrs. Summer have finally packed their bags and left town. Although they both shall return to the Four Seasons hotel, the reunion is only annual. While you did catch some snapshots for the photo album, make their memory last in other ways….
Gather all of their keep sakes and see what you can make of them – after all you are just borrowing until they return.

Keep Sake Item #1

I was thrilled to see that Ms. Spring left behind her black and white Tortuga Outdoor Essence cushions. You know - the onyx accent pillows she wore to the neighborhood block party. Don’t store it in the closet consider wearing these modern pillows somewhere indoors – after all the indoor/outdoor fabric makes it dual purpose. Besides, Trina Turk (link) – your only fashionista competition – just wore her new modern pillows out and it was “all the rave.”

Keep Sake #2
Mrs. Summer forgot her favorite Green Alfresco Home Monaco Urn. We can’t argue that her pansy accessories didn’t provide pop accent to her already fabulous look, but let’s face it, there is always room for improvement. Next time we see her we will be sure and ask…“have you considered something a bit more fall/winter like a Chinese Evergreen to accessorize the urn?” In the meantime (while we wait to run into her), we’ll test it out first hand and see how it goes.

Keep Sake #3
Alfresco Home Monterey Coffee Table - a must have? I would say so. Not only did Ms. Spring rave about her garden and patio furniture, but Mrs. Summer almost sent her husband back to pick up their outdoor set. All weather wicker furniture, powder-coated aluminum frame and a tempered glass topper, I guess I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave this behind. Light weight yes, but I can’t even begin to tell you how rich looking the wicker patio furniture set looks as a whole.

Simply put, it’s a year round staple and everyone should have at least one.