CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL-HAMPTON HOSTESS

We're at the end of our Closet Confidential series and I have to give some serious kudos to all the fabulous bloggers who opened their great closets and shared their design inspiration for us all to see.  If you missed some of the series, here's your chance to read them all:
The Punctuation Park
The Alternative Wife
Inspired Design
Classic Casual Home
The Enchanted Home
Pretty Pink Tulips
Of course, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't open the doors to my closet for everyone so here goes...

What are the five essential items in your closet?
Dark wash jeans, crisp white blouse, perfect little black dress, great black pumps and a black faille trench coat.

The one thing that I should get rid of but just can't seem to part with-
I have a Pucci shirt that the dry cleaners destroyed but I can't seem to part with it even though I can't wear it!


Describe your perfect outfit
Jil Sander cotton sateen black trousers, Jimmy Choo kitten heels and a Loro Piana feather light cashmere sweater.

Theres always room in my closet for-
More shoes!

My dream closet would include-
My client has the most fantastic walk in closet that is currently being custom built. One cabinet will have separate drawers for rings, watches, bracelets and a pull out slide for necklaces.  It's so clever!

I never have enough-
Cashmere sweaters-I'm obsessed.

Designer closet envy would be-
Steven Gambrel's Ikat lined closets and my client's new closet, so pretty I've suggested we have a little cocktail party inside to celebrate!

Neat or messy-
I'm being honest here--messy (how embarrassing!)--it starts out neat but then you know...


My latest addition to my closet is-
Milly sundress--I'm ready for summer!

You would be surprised I have/don't have-
Knee high boots-they're not a good look on me.


I have an extensive collection of-
Sandals--I can't resist adding to the collection every summer, especially if I travel to Spain or Italy where you must buy shoes!

Your organizational motto is-
Color code your closet.

What do you like about your closet-
It's great to have a nice long hallway with closets on both sides.  My husband has one side (the shorter side!) and my side has a walk in area with shoe shelves. I also have a pretty raffia ottoman next to a mirrored wall so I can put my shoes on and see how everything looks.

What would you change?
When I designed the closet I put in lots of shelves but not enough drawers.  


Right now your closet is in a state of-
Utter chaos. I just had the bedroom repainted and I have to purge and reorganize asap!


Thanks to everyone who participated--I just loved working on this series with you all!

CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL GUEST POST: PRETTY PINK TULIPS

I'm thrilled that Elizabeth from Pretty Pink Tulips agreed to participate in our Closet Confidential series today.  Elizabeth is one of my first blog friends, having met visiting the set of The Nate Berkus show with a group of fellow bloggers over two years ago. We instantly hit it off over lunch and some retail therapy at Bergdorf's. Smart, stylish and great fun, Elizabeth always has something fascinating and chic to share with her reader's. Let's see what's behind Elizabeth's closet doors...

What are the 5 essential clothing items in your closet?

1 perfect white blouse, black skirt, classic high heel pumps, strappy high heeled sandals, 1 fabulous handbag

The one thing in my closet that I should get rid of but just can part with: black Balenciaga pants - they used to fit perfectly and I believe some day they will again!

Describe your perfect outfit: 

A halter style dress that hits above the knee and in a fun, bright color (hot pink perhaps!)

There’s always room in my closet for- 

shoes and handbags

My dream closet would include: a chandelier 

I never have enough-

Blouses, usually because I'd rather buy shoes or handbags (they always fit, if you know what I mean)

Designer closet envy would be- Aerin Lauder's closet 

Neat or messy?

Well, sometimes it's neat. And, then it gets messy. Then, the cycle repeats itself.

My latest addition to my closet is-

A fabulous Vanessa Beard tuxedo pant suit. It can be worn together or apart - love how I can rationalize things. My husband also thought it looked pretty great, which is always a bonus.

The last thing I got rid of was-

A stack of t-shirts that just looked too worn

Extra shelves or extra hangers?

Definitely, extra shelves (remember shoes and handbags?!)

You would be surprised I have/don’t have-

Only 1 pair of jeans...and I haven't worn them in ages

I have an extensive collection of-

Shoes and handbags (are you seeing a theme here?)

Your organizational motto is-

If you can't see it, you won't wear it

What do you like about your closet?

That I get to redo it in our next renovation phase

What would you change?

More shelves, drawers for jewelry, a great light fixture and kick the walls out a bit.

Best closet tip for organization-

I swear by Closette's acrylic shelf dividers. They make sweaters stack better and separate handbags.

Right now your closet is in a state of-

Slight disarray with the recent weather change.

Elizabeth, thanks so much for participating in Closet Confidential today--I just love your style!

CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL GUEST POST: CLASSIC.CASUAL.HOME

 I'm delighted to welcome Mary Ann from classic • casual • home  to Closet Confidential today. Mary Ann brings a fresh, lighthearted flair to her blog and her pages are filled with a warm and refined design aesthetic- its always such an inspiring read. Mary Ann is a talented interior designer and I'm always impressed with her ability to blend classic, comfortable surroundings with a touch of French panache. I'm most appreciative that Mary Ann featured her walk in closet today which recently received a complete makeover with gorgeous results.  Just wait until you see her great organizational tips-pure genius!

Here's Mary Ann!


Scary....letting someone peek inside your closet (which I did not long ago on HERE), 

but then TALK about it (AND not let the 

glamorous Hampton's Hostess down).  

Fun, in a pressurized sort of way, right?  

Here's my "closet confidential" in Newport Beach, Ca.  Don't judge. 

I could use a stylist...but our closet works for us.

What are the 5 essential clothing items in your closet?

1. flowy silk blouse
2. dark tapered jeans
3. fitted jacket
4. ballet flats (might be a California casual thing)
5. dark brown riding boots 

The one thing in my closet that I should get rid of but just can part with:

A black watch plaid skirt from Scotland that my parents gave to me in college.  

That baby is NEVER going to fit again.

Describe your perfect outfit:

Winter: Tucker blouse, jeans tucked in riding boots,  cardigan, ostrich handbag,

Summer:  White dress and tan wedges, Chanel sunglasses

There’s always room in my closet for more shoes, especially colorful flats for Spring.




My dream closet would include lots of natural light, a dressing table, mirrors,

Source

Source

an upholstered bench and a chandelier...

Source

For sentimental reasons, I've kept and still wear these classic shoes that my daughter 


bought for me while she was interning for Roger Vivier/Hogan.

 These were the shoes worn by Catherine Deneuve in the movie "Belle du Jour."

I never have enough

work out socks...really, who is stealing them?

My latest addition to my closet is

Lucy workout pants...post holiday motivation

(good fit for those of us with larger derrieres)

The last thing I got rid of was underwear...too much info?  I bought all new and matching... 


a GREAT feeling to open the drawers now.

Extra shelves or extra hangers? Hangers

You would be surprised I don’t have any nude colored pumps.  I saw on "What Not to Wear" that everyone's legs look better in them (ladies, anyway) and they go with any outfit.

I have an extensive collection of colorful sweaters mostly from J. Crew.

Your organizational motto is hang it up, plug in your phone and put your wallet and sunglasses in the linen basket on the right.

What do you like about your closet?  The laundry chute drops directly into our laundry room.

It used to be a dumb waiter, but this made more sense to me.  It's also a bench when the top is down.

What would you change?  wish we had higher ceilings and better hangers.

Best closet tip for organization... cap and flip flop baskets.

Right now your closet is in a state of... tranquility. (I could take a nap on that wool area rug).

Whew.  That wasn't so hard, after all.  Thank you, Barbara!

classic • casual • home