ADH: When clients come to you, do they have a pretty clear idea of what they’re looking for or do they give you a clean slate?
Graziella Bullaro: I would say it’s 50-50. In a way, people don’t fully understand what they need for their closet – they just want it to be organized in a thoughtful way that makes sense for their life, but the space is dictated by their wardrobe. This is where we come in as experts in the design field, to listen to our client’s needs and then come up with custom solutions based on those everyday needs.
ADH: What’s your personal design philosophy?
GB: I am very, very organized and I think that is part of my process and my design aesthetic. I always feel that clutter is just excess items that people don’t need taking up needed space. Spaces that are designed properly, with purpose, have a home for every item; you know exactly where to go for something. I’m here to help solve people’s problems that they might not even realize were there in the first place.
ADH: When you think of California Closets, what do you think of?
GB: I think of meticulous organization in the best way possible to make life so simple, so easy.
ADH: What’s the very first step of your process?
GB: I usually spend about an hour and a half with every client. It gives us time to measure, sit down and discuss the best design option for them. I ask them to tell me more about what they need by asking a lot of open-ended questions, like how do you use your space? How do you get dressed every morning? Clients like to ask what other people do, and I always tell them that they’re all snowflakes. They really are — everyone uses their closets so uniquely. I ask them what they want to keep and what they’re willing to part with, because I don’t want to design a closet that fits, say a hundred pairs of shoes, when they really only wear three. Some people ask to have no drawers at all because they say they won’t see anything, so to me, that means that we have to put everything on shelves, as well as add extra hanging space. That’s my process — just a ton of questions to make it as custom to their specific needs as possible.
ADH: My grandmother always used to say “A place for everything and everything in its place.”
GB: I love your grandmother! (laughing). My husband always says that one of the things he loves about me is how I maximize a space, how I know exactly where everything is going to go. I can walk into any space and say, okay, we’re going to add in shelving or let’s say, a closet accessory here and there, but keep it really simple and accessible. It’s nice to have a home for everything. It makes you want to open up your closet and feel happy about it. If you open the doors and you know exactly where you’re going to grab that dress or that specific shirt, you can go focus on the things that really matter to you, and I think that’s why people call us.
ADH: What trends are you seeing right now with closet space?
GB: Colors are trending more to warmer, natural colors and everyone wants lighting. I think the pandemic really affected the way people live in their spaces. They want to make their homes sanctuaries, and now people are really investing in these elements.
ADH: Are they asking for hanging closets, or more drawers, or a mix?
GB: Most clients like having a mix of drawers and hanging in their closets, but it really depends on what their wardrobe consists of. Drawers are one of those things that once people realize we can put drawers in your closet, or add closed cabinets to your entertainment center, or implement a Murphy bed to your guest bedroom, clients are realizing that these are simple adjustments that make all the difference when staying organized. People are also trying to get rid of extra furniture pieces that take up space in their bedrooms, so adding drawers into their closets really opens up space for something practical, like a desk.
ADH: What’s one of the most innovative closets you’ve done recently?
GB: A few weeks ago, I went into a client’s closet, and they explained how for work, they have to record themselves frequently but do not have a place in their home with no distractions to do it. So, to resolve her problem, in front of her hanging closet, we designed doors and placed a desk in front of these doors. Now, no one knows she’s in her closet while recording, which I think is really interesting. Clients have been asking for multifunctional spaces, especially in larger spaces like their closet, now more than ever – if they can afford the space, of course.
ADH: What are your recommendations for people who want to be organized but don’t even know where to start?
GB: We provide a complimentary consultation and I love that aspect. We take the time to sit and design with you. So, I would say that if you’re looking for tips and tricks in general, call us; being experts in organizational solutions, we are completely at your disposal. We love showing you how our product will help you stay organized. I may not be able to make your closet any larger, but I can make it the most functional that I can by maximizing every square inch. My number one tip is to call us and we will help organize you. The first thing I say to clients who have a lot of items in their closets or homes is that we’re going to get as much as we can to fit in here, but part of this process is that you have to go through your items and sort through everything to see what you haven’t looked at in 25 years and what you use every day. Taking inventory of a client’s wardrobe and understanding how much storage you may need is the most important thing during this process.
ADH: Do you have any newness that you’d like to share?
GB: We’re always evolving our system. We have some new finishes, as well as a new vendor for our materials, which is very exciting. We’re working with more U.S. distributors in our local manufacturing plant in Westchester NY, which is going to help speed up our process, with our installation time, and the best part is their finishes are gorgeous. My favorite is the Aspen finish; it’s a white woodgrain and everyone’s loving it because it feels so light and airy, even though it’s a closet. A few of the others to keep an eye out for are Truffle, Slate, and Twill.
What’s better than a closet custom designed and installed to reflect your exact wants and needs? With California Closets, New York, you have a partner to explore the newest innovations in spatial design, while giving the world total design closet envy.
For more tips and inspiration for your custom storage solutions contact us today at californiaclosets.com or 914.592.1001.
Photography by Stefan Radtke.
Contact: Graziella Bullaro; Design Manager
E. Graziella@caliclosets.com T. (516) 334-0077
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