Habitually Chic®'s Logo  

New Year’s Resolution #1: Clean out the Closet!

by habituallychic

01 . 04 . 10

One of the reasons that I stay in my small one bedroom apartment is the closet. As far as New York City closets go, it’s a large one with an eight foot long pole for hanging clothes and floor to ceiling shelves behind it, not to mention a storage area on top on the entire thing. Of course that means that clothing can be put away, never to be seen from again. Which poses a problem when one actually wants to find something! My number one New Year’s resolutions is to clean out the black hole of apparel. I’ve already donated and given away a lot and now I’m selling the good stuff on eBay. Looking at these chic closets is giving me motivation to keep going until the task is finally completed! If cleaning out the closet is on your list of resolutions, I hope they inspire you as well!

Vivre founder Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti has Rolls Royce of closets that I think is the favorite of every blogger!

I hope Eva pays her cleaning woman well because I have a feeling that she helps keep the closet so tidy and organized!

I hope I have this much beautiful jewelry someday and an equally beautiful bureau to stash it all!

Rory Tahari also an equally neat closet. I think the colorful clothes must reside in a different section.

Funny how all woman and Padma Lakshmi above, have so many pairs of jeans when we usually wear the same pair all the time. Statistics say we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. Another reason to clean out what you don’t wear and probably never will!

I wonder if the closet in Olivia Palermo’s closet is bigger that her last one. She has an enviable wardrobe and style in spades!

Rachel Zoe looks like she could straighten up her closet a little but I guess she is too busy styling stars to bother!

The LA closet of Sally Perrin is also filled with vintage finds just like those of Olivia and Rachel.

You could probably eat off the floor in Heather Kerzner’s closet, it’s that clean!

One of the best closets belongs to Julie Janklow. She and her husband Luke supposedly took their townhouse off the market so she gets to enjoy it a little longer!

Another favorite belongs to fashionista and fashion designer Tory Burch. I think the doors are chic but I like to be able to see everything I own. The center island would come in handy though!

This client of Steven Gambrel has two islands! I’m assuming they are his and hers. So jealous! Those leather handles are to die for!

Olivia Chantecaille was married last year so I wonder if she also moved and has a new closet now. I would have asked her when I saw her shopping in Flair a few months ago but I’m not that nosy!

Then there are those for whom a closet doesn’t offer enough space and they create an entire dressing room. Jenna Lyons of J.Crew has a pretty spectacular one!

Kate Lee Joel also had an enviable closet papered in real gold leaf.

Wonder what her closet looks like now that she’s getting divorced and probably moved out.

Aerin Lauder has one of the most coveted closets in blogland due to the Gracie wallpaper. I personally love juxtaposition of the pretty paper and the vintage Italian gold desk from the 1970’s designed by Gabriella Crespi.

Another pretty wallpapered closet belongs to Charlotte boutique owner Laura Vinroot Poole.

There are still rumblings that Tinsely and Topper Mortimer are getting divorced. If so, I hope she gets the apartment since the blue and white wallpaper are a bit girly for Topper!

A way to save on costs is to just wallpaper one wall as interior designer Erinn Valencich has done.

Or you could wallpaper a small closet and it’s door like this one seen in Domino magazine.

Don’t forget the little people when decorating closets with wallpaper! I love what Ruthie Sommers did to her daughters’ closet. And after looking at these pretty papers, maybe I do want to move so I can wallpaper my own closet! We’ll have to work on that! Happy Cleaning!

33 Comments
Comments Closed

  1. Cherish January 4, 2010 | 4:22 am

    OMG, is it okay to be really, really, really envious of these closets? Someday when I have a house I’m going to use the spare room as a dedicated closet/dressing area. I particularly love the wallpapered closets – they’re like beautifully wrapped gift boxes!!

  2. Karena January 4, 2010 | 4:57 am

    Wow, the closet images are super! I would die for any of them. Organization here I come! Gave 5 pieces away yesterday. It’s a start…

  3. Jennifer January 4, 2010 | 5:16 am

    would love any of these closets but Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti’s is my favorite! thanks for sharing…there were some I haven’t seen before!
    xo
    red sole diary

  4. Froulala January 4, 2010 | 5:20 am

    thank you for featuring all these FAB closets, will definitely keep this on file for future reference. i started giving away some things before the holidays and it’s such a relief for my closet aka storage unit to breathe.

  5. Nay January 4, 2010 | 6:00 am

    very inspiring! It makes me want to re-do my closet too. 🙂

  6. Mommy Lynda January 4, 2010 | 6:52 am

    There are 2 more closets that you are missing out on if you haven’t seen them featured in magazines already. One is Mariah Carey and the other is Kimora Lee Simmons. OMG are those closets amazing!!! Btw, loving your blog. Just stumbled upon it from another blog and I like it!

  7. Reader January 4, 2010 | 7:06 am

    Many of the women in this post are divorced, separated or estranged from their from their husbands/spouses/partners; I can see why. It’s great to live with beautiful things and to keep them in good order, but someone who leaves room in their life for another person is always sexier than the latest Christian Louboutin shoe.

  8. Kelly Green January 4, 2010 | 7:57 am

    I love all those closets! You have inspired me to do a closet post myself. (and also have a good clean out). So often these space get left when they really are almost the most used area in the house! Thank you for the great images and good luck with the reno! KG

  9. IRENE January 4, 2010 | 9:04 am

    Hi,
    I think you have done a wonderful job in collecting these pictures from so many stylish women. I like your witty commentary, too. Happy and prosperous 2010.

  10. Nicole Harry January 4, 2010 | 10:00 am

    WOW! Major closet envy. Better get cracking with the clean out of my own over stuffed closet.

  11. Faux Fuchsia January 4, 2010 | 11:15 am

    Heather, I’m a long time reader and fan of your blog, and first time commentor! I’ve been on the Decluttering Bandwagon myself and have linked your post to my own Blog for added inspiration for declutterers in Australia. You are very popular in Australia- I hope you visit us soon! Love your Blog, you have beautiful taste.

  12. Paula Grace Designs January 4, 2010 | 1:01 pm

    I need to do that so bad! I have so many things to donate it isn’t funny! I’ll get to that…. some day 🙂

  13. Lindsey Lou! January 4, 2010 | 2:34 pm

    Those closets are absolutely gorgeous…even the ones that are a bit messy. I don’t have that much closet space in my bedroom, actually. I am toying with the idea of putting all of my clothes and shoes into the only walk-in closet in my apartment is in my living room. My clothes, shoes and handbags all lead separate lives right now…

  14. Alaina @ Live Creating Yourself January 4, 2010 | 3:03 pm

    Wow – well I’d have to say Tory Burch and Jenna Lyons tie for my favorites. One comment on all of these is how to store shoes. I keep all of the boxes for mine – much like Carrie Bradshaw – because having them displayed on racks ends up with major dust. Not fun when it gets on suede. Thoughts?

  15. Casey January 4, 2010 | 3:25 pm

    My favorites are Kathi Lee Joel’s, Aerin Lauder’s and now that I’ve seen it, Julie Janklow’s. But I play in my closet frequently enough that I don’t need to do that much organizing to it.

  16. A Gift Wrapped Life January 4, 2010 | 3:40 pm

    I know, I know………I must start and I have the most lovely closet to work with it, just means I have to be ruthless and honest in whether most of these clothes do or will ever fit me again. I hate that part. The closet pics have inspired me though.

  17. Katie January 4, 2010 | 4:03 pm

    WOW! Those closets are TDF! I died.

  18. the NEO-traditionalist January 4, 2010 | 4:30 pm

    I vote for Tory Burch, Arein Lauder and Jenna Lyons. I love their homes and I LOVE their closets. Good luck on your cleaning! I ought to be doing the same…
    XX Kate

  19. haircutting in high heels January 4, 2010 | 4:39 pm

    I love this post, especially with the New Years I am all about restoration and my closet and drawers need that. Love Katie Lee Joel’s. Thank you for the fabulous work and sharing this obviously took a lot of time and good work!

  20. Ivy Lane January 4, 2010 | 5:28 pm

    The homes that house those closets must be pretty speTACular!

    SJP’s closet in Sex in the City gets my vote! 🙂

  21. styleodyssey January 4, 2010 | 7:55 pm

    these closets really are very inspiring. my dream is to actually have all my wardrobe in ONE location, instead of several which is what i have currently (clothes and shoes in two countries and 4 closets- don’t ask, lol! and it’s all stuff i definitely want to keep and wear). one spare room made into a great, big closet…wouldn’t that be spectacular!

    what a great post to start off the new year- i’m glad you shared these wonderful closets!

  22. akarlin60 January 4, 2010 | 10:19 pm

    Great Topic to start the year & Thanks for including the men. I believe that men are more obsessive about the organization and collection of clothing than women. Weather it is Saville suits or Jeans & ball caps. Honestly our stuff is much easier to manage than ball gowns and racks of shoes.

  23. Marissa January 4, 2010 | 10:36 pm

    Bella! I’ve been on a closet/organization kick lately.. I was drooling over some shelves on the container store website last night. >_< Thank you for further feeding my addiction. These wonderful closets have given me several ideas for my own closets at home(small walk in) and in my dorm!

  24. sarah January 4, 2010 | 11:33 pm

    Beautiful inspiration! Your posts are so lovely! Happy New Year and good luck with your clean out! xo

  25. Jordana January 5, 2010 | 1:28 am

    Oh, what an inspiring post! I don’t even think I could pick a favourite! Right now I’m having issues with how to store my scarves and belts. My jewelry collection has grown over the holidays and the drawer that I store it all in is now seeming way too small. Sigh.
    Jordana
    http://www.fashioninmotion.wordpress.com

  26. Chris January 5, 2010 | 6:41 am

    This is my favorite post of the week! Thank you. I am actually getting ready to build a closet for my small space and loved looking at all these. I dream of having a walk-in space that I could just sit and feel inspired by lovely things! Happy New Year!

  27. When Pigs Fly January 5, 2010 | 2:10 pm

    I love all of the pictures. I try to clean out my closet at least every six months. I figure if I haven’t worn it in a year then it can go away. I do miss having a walk in closet.

  28. Helen January 5, 2010 | 8:51 pm

    This is an AMAZING post! Thank you so much for sharing!

  29. Black Zebra January 5, 2010 | 8:53 pm

    Too delightful!! A few years ago, my husband was understanding enough to let me turn one of our small rooms into my very own dressing room!! It is total BLISS getting dressed in it every morning with my i-pod on Blast!

  30. honey living January 5, 2010 | 9:08 pm

    incredible post! love all of these.

  31. Hat lady January 9, 2010 | 6:19 pm

    wonderful post, great job!

  32. Sweetdeesignz.com January 10, 2010 | 6:04 am

    This is sooo freakin awesome it makes me sick to my stomach to even look at this. Jealousy is overwhelming.

  33. -h February 1, 2010 | 7:27 am

    I love to see into people’s closets. My dream is to eventually getting around to redo mine. Nothing drastic, just get rid of all the white grid wire and replace it with sleek metal pole.