Mary Jo Fornshell is a leading designer at California Closets in Connecticut focusing mostly on lower Fairfield County, where she brings high levels of creativity and experience to clients seeking customized solutions for their storage needs. For over 40 years, California Closets has been at the forefront of current design trends while offering a wide range of beautiful finishes to complement any interior style. Mary Jo’s keen eye and design background are invaluable when assisting clients whose goals are sophisticated space planning.
Gwen Donovan: How does California Closets help customers make the most of their closet space?
Mary Jo Fornshell: All of the California Closets designers are really good at seeing potential for storage where others don’t! We just see space differently and use that to our advantage in helping our clients organize their lives, one space at a time. During the initial consultation, I assess the client’s space, inventory and specific goals. Then I measure everything: the room and all of the inventory. Once that is done, I begin the collaborative design process using our design software. As I am designing the space with the client, I like to continue to ask questions to get their feedback. I make sure everything will fit while designing a pleasing, functional layout that they love. Most clients are amazed at how we transform their space, and seeing it in 3D is a very helpful tool.
GD: What are some of the best space-savers you add to your closet designs?
MJF: The best space saver in any closet is really just a well-thought-out, designed space customized to that individual and their inventory. If everything has a designated space in the closet, it is easy to keep it neat, tidy and high-functioning.
GD: What was the most unique or surprising closet design you’ve seen?
MJF: One of our talented designers designed a wardrobe that you actually walked through to a secret room behind with more storage. It was very cool!
GD: California Closets is known for their legendary customer service; how do you provide outstanding service?
MJF: Customer service typically begins with the designer since we are in close contact with the client. I try to make myself available 24/7 which sounds crazy, but we are trying to make people’s lives simpler and being available at odd hours is all a part of that. As a company, we really do take the team approach and sometimes it is an all-hands-on-deck situation – from schedulers to engineers, shop people and installers – to do whatever we can to accommodate our clients and their complicated lives and schedules.
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