My clients Jon and Abby had decided to move in together in Abby’s condo. They hired a contractor to knock together two adjoining closets and install the hardware to make a large, walk-in closet so there’d be more room for Jon’s wardrobe. They were eager to finish the renovation and start the new stage of their relationship, but the contractor’s availability coincided with very busy times in their work schedules.
So they called me to help with the transition.
Would I be willing to clear out Abby’s closets so the contractor could work, help cull her wardrobe to make room for Jon’s things, consult on a new closet configuration that suited both of their needs, and then replace Abby’s ‘to keep’ items in the renovated, walk-in shared closet?
Of course I would!
Oh, and one more thing: would I mind doing it while Abby was away on an important business trip? We would talk about her needs before she left, but she couldn’t check in more than once or twice a day during the trip. Jon would coordinate the painters and contractor, but he’d be otherwise busy packing up his own apartment. The organizing would be mainly my responsibility.
Fortunately, Abby and I had worked together. I knew her style. Usually reorganizing a closet involves a lot of give and take with the client. This time, Abby gave me advance permission to use my best judgment.
Since space was tight, Abby told me to be more aggressive than usual about setting aside duplicates and older clothes. I separated everything that was stylish and in good condition ‘to keep,” and put the older, more worn and duplicate clothes and accessories into a “possible toss/recycle’ box for Abby to review when she got back. I also sent Abby an email every day to keep her in the loop.
As soon as the closets were emptied, the contractor began to work. He knocked through the wall, and wanted to put up hanging rods and be done. I knew this closet had to store the majority of Abby and Jon’s wardrobes. The closet needed shelves to maximize the couple’s options, and they needed to go all the way up to the ceiling to take advantage of every bit of the space. I discussed it with Jon, who strongly agreed that they wanted the closet finished by the contractor, not left partly done for him and Abby to customize later with do-it-yourself shelving. He would work with the contractor on budgeting issues, but he wanted me to be the couple’s representative on the design issues.
It took a lot of communication, but the contractor finally agreed to tailor the closet to Abby and Jon’s storage needs. He finished the installation with all the shelving the couple needed. I got to work on putting Abby’s things away. By the end, her clothes, shoes, sweaters and accessories were neatly hung, stacked and folded. When she returned from her business trip, she had an organized closet. As promised, there was space for Jon’s things as well.
Jon was delighted with my work, but I was nervous. Most of the organizing and design work had involved Abby’s things, and storage decisions are very personal. Would Abby be satisfied with the results when she returned? Would the organizing solutions work for her?
A few days later, I got an email from Jon. Abby loved the new closet! Even better, Abby herself sent a note a few months later, thanking me for helping to smooth their transition. Of course, I was thrilled.
Side note: These blog stories feature real clients and their organizing solutions. To maintain client privacy, all names have been changed.