To get ready for a busy day, Martha used to travel from room to room in her Bedford, New York, home, since no single spot could hold her entire wardrobe. Last fall, she decided to convert a small unused bedroom into a well-organized walk-in closet. She mapped out what she needed from the space — but also considered what she wanted: a life-improving, routine-smoothing area that felt beautifully at home, in her home. And while you can’t borrow her clothes (or those Manolos), all of her smart strategies are up for grabs.
A grand central station
Martha had a two-sided bureau topped with marble similar to the kind on her kitchen’s pastry counter. It was carved by a local stonecutter, and offers ample space for an antique jewelry box and mirror, as well as a clothes-folding station.
The plan
To get exactly what she wanted, Martha put equal emphasis on form and function for this project. The walk-in needed to hold and organize all her essentials, as well as look and feel like a natural extension of her home. She tapped design consultant Chris Reynolds of California Closets to work with her. Aside from the many custom finishes and features the company offered, it was appealing that all the components are modular, so none of the home’s original moldings had to be removed (and the closet can easily revert back to a bedroom if ever necessary). Reynolds visited her home to survey the unused bedroom; together they assessed Martha’s storage requirements, and then began selecting styles and materials that reflected her sensibility. Martha liked the simplicity of the company’s classic cabinetry finished in Cashmere, an eco-friendly custom shade. They also chose lighting, including dimmable remote-controlled LEDs in all the cabinets. The end result? “I am thrilled with it,” she says.
A flood of light
Martha had solar shades installed (they’re sheer but block color-fading ultraviolet rays), along with antique Dutch hammered-brass sconces to cast a warm glow. Empress Tang rests on a deep window seat covered in Donghia’s Covet velvet, in Forest. It’s a perfect place to put on shoes, too.
Sweaters in plain sight
Plush pullovers are folded and arranged in a tall cabinet customized with restoration-glass panels that match the windows in the rest of the house. Martha tucks cedar balls among the stacks to ward off moths.
Polished details
An antique mirror and a silver tray displaying Martha’s perfumes are both pretty and practical. On bureaus, she used the same brass knobs — made by E.R. Butler & Co. — that she has throughout the house.
A berth for bags
On the top shelf, Martha keeps a few footed purses that she carries often, stuffing the soft ones with tissue to help them stand up and hold their shape. Larger totes are stored in cabinets beneath the window seats.
Instant access
Martha’s clothes are arranged by item and color, and spaced evenly apart. Avoid overcrowding your closet, she advises, which can cause unnecessary wrinkles. She uses sturdy wooden hangers, which match her floors, for blouses; and thicker ones for jackets and sweaters. For pants, she has two kinds: some with a velvet bar to fold delicate materials over, others with clips for sturdier fabrics (walnut and brass, hangers.com).
Vital signs
Martha had valet bars installed to help her organize outfits for TV appearances and upcoming trips — or for multiple events in a single day. Laminated hanger tags keep track of them, and serve as care and laundry reminders. To print your own, go to marthastewart.com/hangertags.
Space for shoes
All of the room’s cabinetry is made from boards just over an inch thick (the standard is three-quarter-inch), for a solid, more bespoke feel. Martha’s shoes are situated by style. When she finds a pair she loves, she buys them in multiple colors.
Dedicated drawers
Each one houses specific items: Accessories like gloves, scarves and shawls are slightly staggered so that every one is visible. Martha wraps delicate pieces, such as sequined pants and beaded scarves, in protective acid-free tissue paper. Jewelry lies on velvet-lined trays. Socks are folded and grouped by color, and small printed labels help housekeepers maintain her system.
