Art of Organization Volume 2

Volume 2

Art of Organization Quarterly

7

The Fullness of an Empty Nest 11

TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR GARAGE ORGANIZED

LINEN DRAWERS OFFER A DISTINCTLY NEW FLAVOR

Why You Should Teach Your Kids About Organization Early

What does 15 minutes in the morning really cost you?

Tips to Help You Fall Back in Love with Your Closet

PLUS: HOW TO MOVE WITH A ZEN ATTITUDE

Art of Organization Volume 2

PUBLISHER

Closet Factory

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Greg Stein

DIRECTOR

Paris Bernhardt

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Keerthi Chandrashekar

STAFF WRITERS

Keerthi Chandrashekar Don Lee Dan Moyer Katie Daniels Carlos Lopez

DESIGNERS

Amelia McDaniel Jeanne Hessen Julia Page Deb Broockerd

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joanna Forbes Regina Leeds

COVER DESIGN Keerthi Chandrashekar DESIGN/LAYOUT Keerthi Chandrashekar Carlos Lopez (7 Tips on Keeping Your Garage Organized) ARTWORK Keerthi Chandrashekar Carlos Lopez

CLOSET FACTORY 12800 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90061 Locations nationwide

CALL US 1(800) 838-7995 EMAIL US artoforg@closetfactory.com ONLINE closetfactory.com FOLLOW US @ Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Houzz COPYRIGHT ©2016 BY CLOSET FACTORY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. REUSE PERMISSIONS: ARTOFORG@CLOSETFACTORY.COM ART OF ORGANIZATION IS A PUBLICATION OF CLOSET FACTORY

table of contents Click on any of the stories to go directly to the page!

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THE FULLNESS OF AN EMPTY NEST

FEATURE

There comes a point in every parent’s life where the kids set out into the world, leaving behind an emotional void and empty space.

DESIGN

TIPS

ARE 6 MUDROOMS IN, AND USEFUL

BACK IN LOVE 12 FALL WITH YOUR CLOSET

IN YOUR 16 SHOPPING CLOSET THAT FEELS 34 RETAIL LIKE YOU’RE AT HOME

40 CUSTOM CLOSETS FOR THE HANDICAPPED

44 HARDWARE

WITH THESE 11 TIPS

20

7 TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR GARAGE ORGANIZED

WITH A 38 MOVING ZEN ATTITUDE FOR CREATING 42 TIPS YOUR HOME MUSIC STUDIO

LINEN DRAWERS OFFER A DISTINCTLY NEW FLAVOR

LIFESTYLE AFFECT 10 CLOTHES HOW YOU FEEL MINUTES COULD 14 15 SAVE YOU MORE THAN JUST MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE YOUR KIDS A 22 GIVE HEAD START

F R O M

T H E

E D I

Changes are an inevitable part of life, and whether they’re in our favor or against, they end up defining us, often by our ability to transition between the phases. This ability to move from one aspect of life to another — or one room to another — in a graceful and purposeful manner isn’t easy. In fact, it’s one of the more difficult parts of life to master.

This issue we decided to address some of the ways changes pop up in our lives and some transitional methods that make them lucrative instead of taxing. Our feature touches on empty nesters — parents whose kids have moved out, leaving them with an empty house — and some of the issues they face transitioning from primary caregivers to self-fulfilling adults. There are also home design elements like mudrooms that promote a smoother inside-outside world relationship.

Change isn’t always an external circumstance we face, however. Change can also be intentional and deliberate and internal. The way we dress, for instance, can affect our mood and outlook in both shallow and deep ways. Choosing your change, and transitioning with grace, can be a very powerful tool.

T O R

Keerthi Chandrashekar Editor-in-chief

DESIGN

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio Photographer: sethbennphoto.com

6

Mudrooms are In and Useful

by Katie Daniels

Because having an organized storage area for leaving and entering the house just makes sense.

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DESIGN

M

udrooms are an increasingly popular feature in homes nowadays, due in no small part to their incredible functionality. They’re a place to store backpacks, serve up daily reminders, and provide a general pat down before leaving and entering the home — a transition between the home and the outside world.

“The trend to declutter homes and keep what is most essential to our daily lives readily at hand means that mudrooms can take center stage,” says Closet Factory designer Amelia McDaniel. “These areas are meant to help organize the essentials of our daily living. Our bags, gear, keys, chargers, lunch boxes, etc. can all have an appropriate and dedicated spot in a mudroom.”

Mudrooms are one of the most versatile components of any home. They can be designed in kitchens, near backdoors, close to garage-home entryways — almost anywhere, as long as they’re in a space that lies along the usual entry/ exit paths.

What’s necessary for the outside world isn’t always needed once within the calm and safety of one’s home. Accessories like hooks for hanging, chalkboards for reminders, and baskets for exceptionally dirty outerwear make mudrooms a nexus between the routines of the “out there” and “in here.” Mudrooms are also an excellent area to store pet-related items.

Mudrooms such as McDaniel’s design (featured on this page) show that these spaces can really please the eyes by blending a bold, modern color with Victorian design elements. McDaniel’s mudroom features general storage as well as an area for the small family dog’s food items and a “drop zone” for sorting mail and other paper documents. By using the same hardware as the kitchen, the mudroom also keeps the continuity of the house’s décor, ensuring the transition from “out” to “in” (or vice versa) is smooth.

“The ability to customize a mudroom for a client’s specific needs means that we can help make the beginning of the day and the start of an evening at home feel organized and calming rather than chaotic and harried,” McDaniel says.

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Mudroom Wall Unit with Victorian Doors and Drawer Faces Designed by: Amelia McDaniel, Closet Factory Richmond, VA “The client wanted a storage area for backpacks and family gear that could also serve as a feeding station for the dogs. There is a drop zone with paper sorting areas above the desk area and the deep drawer houses dog food and a scoop for the small canine. By taking the unit all the way to the ceiling we were able to add a seasonal storage area for items that do not need to be accessed frequently.�

9

LIFESTYLE

Clothes Affect

Prescription sunglasses helped Cass Frankenstein stave off bullies in middle school.

The resulting confidence, however, was so great that he continued to wear them all the time, well into his later years, leading to strained personal relationships and a pessimistic view of the adult world. His ex-wife even had a saying for him: “The world is only as dark as the sunglasses you see it through.”

Lesson: Don’t forget you’re still a person on the inside, and clothes don’t change the outside world Participants in a Northwestern study run by Adam Galinsky and Hajo Adam were asked to complete an attention-intensive task. The caveat? One group was given a white coat and told it was a “lab coat.”

The result? The group with the “lab coat” significantly outperformed the other group.

Interestingly enough, if the group was told it was a “painter’s coat” the group did not outperform the other group.

Just looking at the coat wasn’t good enough, however.

Participants had to actually put it on in order to reap the cognitive benefits.

Galinksy believes this proves enclothed cognition, a concept that recognizes that we think not just with our minds, but with our bodies. Holding a heavy clipboard makes people feel more important, even if they actually aren’t.

Lesson: How you perceive an article of clothing changes how it will affect you

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NPR’s Invisibilia podcast recently took a closer look at how clothing changes our perceptions and personalities in the episode “The Secret Emotional Life of Clothes.”

Here’s what you can learn from their findings.

Embrace it and you might find a new solution to an old problem.

IT’S no secret that most of us alter

our appearance when faced with dramatic life changes. A study published in SAGE Open found that “stressful life events may prompt body image dissatisfaction and underlie motivations for changes in body appearance to promote self-image.” Hitting the gym, getting a drastic haircut — these are obvious. Another one is, of course, the clothes we choose to wear.

From sunglasses that prevent bullying to a Halloween aviator costume that helps a child get over their fear of flying, clothing can be a powerful extension and modifier of ourselves. While clothing can often reflect a person’s current situation — slovenliness could be attributed to depression or stress — clothing can also reflect a person’s future desires.

A man in a sharp suit conveys his desire to command respect and rise through the ranks. A blast of colorful clothing could be a sign somebody has been feeling repressed too long and wants to feel freer.

Clothing is a potent form of expression and its usefulness as a tool can not only be applied to how the world views you, but also to how you view yourself. Embrace it.

How You Feel

by Keerthi Chandrashekar

Trying to focus on the big picture?

Dress formally. At least that’s what the study, “The Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing” found.

“Specifically, as formal clothing is associated with enhanced social distance, we propose that wearing formal clothing will enhance abstract cognitive processing,” wrote study authors Michael Slepian, Simon Ferber, Joshua Gold, and Abraham Rutchick.

Don’t get too formal, however. Dress attire is also perceived as social armor.

People address each other more by title rather than first name when spruced up, so if you’re trying to get to know someone more intimately, play it a little cool and loose.

Lesson: Your style of clothing can affect your problem-solving skills as well as your conversations with others

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TIPS

Invest time.

Monthly, quarterly, seasonally, yearly — whatever you can do. It will be time well spent.

I make it a yearly event with company, a bottle of wine, a couple of hours, lots of laughs, and memories of “You wore that when?!”

Be honest.

Though organizing is fun, do it with honesty. When a piece of clothing just doesn’t feel right, the fit or the function is lacking, or if it’s damaged, don’t let it back in the closet, even for a “just in case” event. Get it repaired, donate it, toss it, or replace it.

Be your own stylist! Take photos of outfits you love and keep them close by your closet. This reduces the stress of picking out what to wear and will keep you more in tune with the style you’re going for.

Fall Back in Love with Your Closet with These 11 Tips

by Joanna Forbes

Closet Factory designer and professional organizer Joanna Forbes from Los Angeles shares her tips for keeping your closet organized and efficient. She gurantees they will make you fall head over heels for your wardrobe all over again.

Let your clothes breath.

Do not use skinny hangers as an excuse to over pack your clothes. Give the hangers a little room. Your clothes will have less wrinkles and it’ll be easier to see them, making picking outfits smoother.

Let your space be your guide.

Having a great closet space may mean having a professional closet system installed. But it can also mean using the right tools for storage.

Hangers, bins, baskets, drawers, hooks, hampers, and valet rods — they all work for you. We expect a lot from these small spaces.

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Take photos.

Need to replace a piece of clothing?

Take a picture of the item you loved instead of keeping it until you find its replacement.

Once you let it back in, chances are you simply won’t get around to it and the item eats up space.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Invest in the right hangers.

Skinny felted hangers are “a thing” but they’re not right for all clothes. Fold your pants? There are hangers for that. Heavy coats? Hangers for that. Suits? Hangers for that. Skirts? Hangers for that. You get the idea. Get the right hangers and you’ll drastically improve the lifespan of your clothes.

Put seasonal clothes or activity (work vs. leisure) clothes that you need most front and center.

This will help you see what you have to wear now and improve the flow of your day. Use harderto-reach areas and the upper shelves of closets for offseason clothes and shoes. Use bins, boxes, and baskets to keep offseason clothes out of sight so they don’t clutter up the closet and your mind.

Landing space.

Let’s talk about the end of the day: dirty clothes, maybe-I’llwear-this-again, empty hangers waiting for clean clothes. Yes, closet designers and organizers think of that too! You should put empty hangers in one spot in your closet so you can find them easily at the end of the day. Have hampers or baskets for dirty laundry so they’re easily accessible without blocking anything else. The easier it is to wrap up your day, the happier you’ll be.

Pile or file?

Close at hand (or foot)!

Have shoes on accessible shelves, not tucked under clothes or in a corner. Digging under clothes to find a shoe’s mate does not make for a good start to the day. Organized shoes, on shelves or in boxes are a like a great filing system — at your fingertips.

Piles of T-shirts or sweaters should be limited in count. You will never wear the bottom ones or keep them organized if they are stacked too high. Try four items per pile. Do not use drawers for piles! File-fold t-shirts when putting them in drawers. Dividers help any piles on shelves and rows in drawers stay neat, even after a long day!

Repeat.

Remember, relationships take time. But you can fall in love with your clothes and your closet all over again!

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LIFESTYLE 8:00 a.m.

Spend an extra 5 minutes reviewing presentation materials, and just in time too, because you catch a crucial accounting error.

6:45 a.m.

Shower.

10:00 a.m.

Meeting with boss to congratulate you and discuss your future with the company.

9:15 a.m.

Congrats, you closed the deal!

7:30 a.m.

Out the door.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch out with colleagues, surf and turf, to celebrate closing the deal.

1:30 p.m.

While at the restaurant bar, you bump into an old college buddy, who happens to become your next business lead.

11:00 a.m.

Manage daily responsibilities.

With an organized closet

7:00 a.m.

Get dressed in an origanized custom closet.

7:55 a.m.

Avoid traffic, arriving at work 5 minutes early.

9:00 a.m.

Presentation goes smoothly after corrections are made.

7:45 a.m.

Out the door after finally finding second shoe.

10:30 a.m.

Unfortunately, clients still have to “think about it” and will get back to you once they’ve had a chance to “discuss” with their team.

11:00 a.m.

Boss gives you a load of more work in hopes of still securing deal.

6:45 a.m.

Shower

12:45 p.m.

Afternoon drinks

12:30 p.m.

Play catch up with daily responsibilities, which have piled up.

With a messy closet

7:00 a.m.

Get dressed in unorganized closet.

8:25 a.m.

Hit traffic, arriving at work 25 minutes LATE. 8:30 a.m.

Rush to conference room where meeting has already started.

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10:00 a.m.

Presentation runs long after clients catch accounting error and have additional follow up questions.

12:00 p.m.

Make corrections to presentation and send email to clients apologizing for the mistake.

1:00 p.m.

Lunch at your desk, eating 10:45 a.m.

3-day old Meeting with boss, Chinese food where you’re asked from the shared why you seemed employee flustered this morning, fridge. and how you could’ve overlooked such an obvious mistake in your presentation.

2:00 p.

Back to work, energiz and enthusi

2:00 p.m Back to w lethargic miserable

15 Minutes

by Dan Moyer

COULD SAVE YOU MORE THAN JUST MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE 3:45 p.m.

Follow up with new lead from lunch and set the meeting for same day next week.

Being organized means less time spent hunting around for items that aren’t where they’re supposed to be. You never quite know what the impact of those extra 15 minutes you spent looking for your keys or socks or shoes is...

5:30 p.m.

Arrive home.

.m. o

5:00 p.m.

Leave right on time.

zed

iastic

m. work, and e.

6:30 p.m.

Dinner time with the family.

3:00 p.m.

Headache starts to throb.

2:30 p.m.

Get in an argument with colleague over who was responsible for making the mistake in this morning’s presentation.

4:00 p.m.

Boss calls team meeting for your entire department, voicing disappointment over day’s events and threatening to make changes if things don’t improve.

7:15 p.m.

Spend time the kids playing video games, helping with homework, and catching up on their days.

7:30 p.m.

Finally done for the day.

5:00 p.m.

Meeting erupts in finger pointing and blame.

3:45 p.m.

Finally receive word from clients, who’ve decided to pass on your business. The deal’s dead.

8:00 p.m.

Tuck kids into bed.

9:00 p.m.

Spend some quiet time with the spouse watching TV before bed.

8:30 p.m.

Eat leftovers for dinner while spouse catches you up on day’s events.

8:00 p.m.

Arrive home to find that the kids are already in bed.

6:30 p.m.

Stay late to complete boss’s new assignments.

9:45 p.m.

Peacefully doze off, confident about tomorrow morning.

z

z

z

9:45 p.m.

Stare up at the ceiling wondering where the day went wrong.

9:00 p.m.

Argue with spouse before bed over time spent at work vs. home.

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DESIGN

16

Shopping in Your Closet

by Keerthi Chandrashekar

What’s the key to feeling like you’re shopping in a boutique in your home closet? Display, display, display.

Boutique Master Her Closet: Light Bisque Melamine with a Chocolate Glaze Designed by: Jeanne Hessen, Closet Factory Ft. Lauderdale, FL “The best way to describe this closet would be the resemblance of a high end boutique. With the trend of “shopping in your closet” this space succeeded in every way. The use of high-end products like glass raised panel doors, LED lights, rope columns, and corbels add just the right decorative touches to provide my client Meliza, the boutique-like experience of shopping in her closet that she was looking for.”

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DESIGN

Hanging your boots is not only a great way to display them, it also helps them keep their shape longer.

Design by Closet Factory Tampa Bay

Displaying your favorite shoe and handbag pairings looks great and makes walking out the door that much easier.

Design by Closet Factory Houston

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M

ore and more people are “shopping in their closets.”

What does that mean? It means getting ready in a closet that looks and feels like a boutique.

While there are a number of design elements that go into creating a boutique feel, one of the core concepts is displaying what you’ve got.

Closet Factory designer Jeanne Hessen (whose design is the cover of this article) achieved this for her client with huge glass doors to display her client’s handbag collection. Not only does this keep them safe and clean, it also means all the bags can constantly be seen.

Don’t worry about having too many shoes or handbags.

Utilize vertical storage space and a rolling ladder will help you grab your goodies.

“We accomplished this by using lots of glass and lighting so most everything would be on display,” Hessen explains. ”Then with the delicate touches such as mirrors, moldings, columns, seating and high end hardware the space transformed into a boutique atmosphere.”

Shoes are not only important for an outfit, they are also one of the most visually striking elements of any closet.

Arranging them on slanted shelves, or creatively placing them in pairs on level shelves really makes a closet pop.

Other small touches give your closet an even more personalized experience. Go ahead and pair your handbags and shoes together beforehand. Put outfits together and display them. Be your own stylist!

Seeing all your choices before making them is part of the boutique shopping experience and makes you truly feel like you have options when getting ready.

After all, if you were a boutique, would you want to hide anything?

Design by Closet Factory Houston

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TIPS

7 Tips on Keeping Your Garage Organized

1. Keep things off the floor. If you have tools, boxes, and other stuff lying all over the floor, where is your car going to go? Also, objects on the floor are a health hazard.

by Carlos Lopez

2. Keep things you use often accessible in open shelves. Take

3. Store seasonal items on upper cabinets and shelving. If your garage

note of the things you use often in your garage. Store them on shelves that are accessible and close to any entryway. This will save you time and the headache of not finding what you need often.

is equipped with cabinets and shelves up high, you can store seasonal items such as Christmas tree ornaments and other seldom-used possessions.

4.Declutter. Getting rid

of the things you don’t need creates space, reduces stress, and increases efficiency.

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5. Use containers to store loose items.

Container bins are an effective way to store loose items by keeping them out of sight and in one location.

W

e tend to forget about the garage when organizing the house, or worse, use it as a giant trash bin for leftovers from other areas of the house. Your tools, sports equipment, seasonal items — these are all usually found in your garage. Having easy access to these items is not only desirable, in some cases it can be crucial (try finding your flashlight in a power outage while tripping over various chords and tools). Why, then, is the garage usually the messiest area of the house or a command center for hoarders?

6. Use the walls to store and hang stuff.

Slatwall and other wallmounted systems with accessories like hooks and baskets keep things off the floor and give you more room to actually park your car.

It’s a matter of perception.

For many, the garage is just a “storage” area to throw items in.

It’s not like the rest of the house where humans inhabit, and since the garage is usually offset, picking up clutter on the floor can seem superfluous. Why bother if nobody is going trip on it? (Hint: someone usually does in the end.)

7. Sort your things and keep everything together within its own category. Use a

In reality, the garage is more than just a space for the car and other objects — it’s also usually the largest room in the house. And like any room, the garage can be organized and utilized. Here are eight tips to help you start making the most of your garage.

label maker to mark and categorize sections within your garage. This will make finding things easier in the future.

21

LIFESTYLE

Give Your Kids a Head Start

Set your kid up for success by introducing organization early on

by Don Lee

If you’ve been thinking about effective ways to teach your children important skills such as a second language, problem solving, and interpersonal communication, early childhood is the opportune time to do it.

Extensive scientific research has been done on the subject, and studies have shown that the brains of children and teenagers are softer and more absorbent than those of adults. Learning while the brain is in this spongy state creates more neural pathways in their noggins. In other words, it’s a great time to embed some good habits in your child, especially proper organization skills.

Organization skills can be considered an essential tool, and, unsurprisingly, parents are increasingly pushing their children to lead organized lives early. Why, you ask?

Organized people stress less and lead healthier lives.

Organized people perform better in school and at work because of their ability to apply a systematic process to things they need to get done.

Organized people are generally happier as clutter and disorder can contribute to feelings of irritation and depression.

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Make it FUN Every child is unique — for instance, you might have a kid who loves stuffing his or her toys in a drawer, or another one who leaves them sprawled all over the floor. It’s important to teach organization skills in a way that relates to them (ask yourself, “Why is my child doing this?”).

You take part in your child’s organization journey by creating a nurturing environment for the kid to habitually learn. With the right encouragement and approach, kids can quickly learn to store toys away in the right area and keep their closets clutter free. Don’t forget to make it fun! One of the best ways to introduce a new concept to a child is to make it a game.

Here are some easy ways you can incorporate organization into your child’s early education Have a set of multiple drawers and label each drawer as one day of the week. Assist your child by pre-coordinating outfits for each day. He or she will go to the corresponding drawer to get ready in the morning. Pretty soon, your child will slowly realize how quickly and easily he or she gets ready in the morning and how much time is saved.

Take some time to put away clothes together with your child. Show him or her that folding t-shirts is better than hanging them. Never let them put socks and underwear in a place other than a drawer.

In addition, create separate, color-coordinated areas in a closet for separate pieces of clothing.

Children learn well visually, and if they’re able to see where something needs to go, it will stick with them for a long time.

For younger children, create storage bins in multiple colors and sizes. On the front of the bins, create a picture label showing what exactly needs to go in that specific bin. If your child places something in the wrong bin, kindly show him or her where it’s supposed to go instead.

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FEATURE

The Fullness of an Empty Nest

by Don Lee

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There comes a point in every parent’s life where the kids set out into the world, leaving behind an emotional void and empty space.

W

hen we’re born into this world, we possess a natural instinct to grow through different stages of life.

Eventually, most people develop to the point where they want to go out into the world on their own two feet to pursue their desires and curiosities. This can be seen in other animals too — birds, in due time, realize they have to learn to fly and leave the nest. After all, momma and poppa can’t take care of them forever, and even if they could, it would be a cramped ride.

As a mother of three, Sally Thibault knew that such a day would come for her. She understood that she’d have to let go of her children’s hands not once, but a total of three times. After all, Sally and her loving husband always told their children they should experience life and travel.

Slowly, but surely, the departures of their children turned Sally and her husband into “empty nesters,” parents whose children have left the home to live on their own. The concept of an empty nester is quite normal since a young adult moving out of his or her family’s home is a healthy and regular part of life. However, because it’s such a common aspect of growing older, the phenomenon known as “empty nest syndrome” tends to get overlooked.

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FEATURE

A

s the name implies, empty nest syndrome is a psychological condition where parents experience grief and loneliness when the last

child leaves home. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a clinical diagnosis nor a mental disorder. It’s merely a reaction to change.

According to an article from the Journal of Counseling and Development, symptoms of empty nest syndrome include depression, a need to fill a “void,” a loss of purpose, and stress from worrying about the children. Furthermore, parents experience a strong sense of regret and often question their level of involvement in their child’s life and how well they prepared their children for a life outside of the home.

Initially, Sally and her husband didn’t have an easy time settling into a life without the young ones.

“At first, the adjustment was awful. My husband and I couldn’t look at each other without crying. It was incredibly hard to adjust to the silence and the different energy in the house,” Sally explains.

Sally’s case is a prime example of empty nesters facing new challenges. Some of these obstacles include finding ways to occupy the newly found free time, getting used to an on-and-off relationship with the kids, and slowly reconfiguring daily life patterns. Such changes are tackled with varying degrees of success.

For instance, one set of parents could easily turn that extra free time into a few swings at the local country club, while other empty nesters could have trouble finding something to do. Diana and Jake from Louisiana might feel just fine using a cellphone or webcam to keep in touch with their children, while Cindy and Ken from Texas can’t go two weeks without having the kids come home for the weekend from college.

Ultimately, a majority of parents become empty nesters and encounter various tribulations along the way. Even so, empty nest syndrome isn’t without its own coping methods.

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One Friday night, while Sally and her husband were sitting and enjoying a bottle of wine and a plate of antipasto, they realized, “This isn’t so bad after all!”

A

majority of the

the home, she came to the realization

a smaller home helps these couples

uneasiness that comes

that she only had one child left in the

look forward to going out and enjoy

from being an empty

house and even he was about to set off

their newly found free time instead

nester has to do with a void that needs

for college. It was time to prepare for

of lurking around now-empty

filling. When Sally says she initially

life after.

hallways. A smaller home is naturally

experienced a silence and a different aura of energy in the house when her children left, she was referencing that emptiness.

Susan decided to go back to school in her new free time. She also focused on laying the foundation for her business,

more intimate and can foster deep conversations and the rekindling of relationships.

Art Mends Hearts. Essentially, she

On the flip slide, others choose to keep

One of the ways some parents lessen

anticipated that void and found

their existing homes for personal,

the anxiety is to keep in steady

things to do that would keep her both

fiscal, or sentimental reasons. For

contact with their children through

occupied and satisfied. In her case,

example, a working spouse can have

cellphone, email, or webcam. In

she lucked out on another aspect: her

a convenient commute to work by

addition to pursuing new hobbies and

children live in close proximity of the

staying put, or a couple can continue

interests, empty nesters who gave up

home, meaning they can visit plenty.

to develop the strong ties that they

careers to raise children might go back to working full time. Others seek out someone to discuss their grief with, such as friends, family members, or professional counselors.

Susan Greif, mother of four from Englewood, New Jersey, is the owner of a business called Art Mends Hearts that helps women and children find relief from emotional and physical pain through expressive and healing arts. Like many empty nesters, Susan also felt anxiety when her first-born daughter was ready to leave the nest.

Parents also have to deal with the physical void of their children’s old rooms.

just might not want to deal with the pain and hassle of relocating to a different home. Regardless

One Friday night, while Sally and her

of the reason, staying at the same

husband were sitting and enjoying a

home leaves empty nesters with two

bottle of wine and a plate of antipasto,

options: do something to the space

they realized, “This isn’t so bad after

or don’t. Empty nesters itching to fill

all!” They decided to convert one

that void do so partly to indulge in

of their children’s bedrooms into a

their desires after sacrificing so much

second home office for Sally since

for their children for many years.

she and her husband both work from the comfort of their home. This room renovation is the byproduct of their acceptance of their new empty nester

“I was awake at nights wondering

lifestyle. For others, it’s a coping

if I taught my child everything she

mechanism. Out of sight, out of mind.

needed to know to sustain life on her

have to their neighborhoods. Some

With free space (or spaces, depending on the number of children) empty nesters have infinite options regarding what to do with it. A simple bedroom can be designed to become a fully functional walk-in closet, a home gym,

Renovating a child’s bedroom has

or even a game room. Sally converted

been a common practice for ages. Be

an empty space into a home office

She added that she was “up all night”

that as it may, it’s not an option for

for her work, and Susan actually has

writing words of wisdom for her

all empty nesters. For some couples,

thoughts of turning one of the empty

second son when it came his time to

they find that downsizing brings

bedrooms in her home into a nursery

leave. Then, when her third child left

them the most comfort. Moving into

for her future grandchildren.

own,” Grief said.

cont. on page 32

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FEATURE

Convert your new (your kid’s old) space to....

Wondering what to do with your kid’s old room?

Try these on for size.

A Home Office Handle professional and domestic affairs in an orderly manner now that the kids aren’t running around. It’s also a great place to launch your startup.

A Home Library Sink into a plush chair and read up on current events or dive into a tome. Either way, remind yourself you’re reading, and you’ll be thankful you did.

A Home Gym Get healthy and rid yourself of excuses for not making it to the gym. If traditional gyms aren’t your style, build yourself a quiet yoga and meditation room instead.

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A Walk-in Closet Treat yourself every morning when you get dressed with an impressive display of your wardrobe.

A Craft Room Pursue your creative passions by giving yourself a space to paint, sew, and get messy. Don’t limit yourself — build drones, sew quilts, put together a railroad set, or build a rehearsal space for your rock band — your creativity will not only be fun, but healing as well.

But...what if they come back?

A Wall Bed If you’re worried about your kid moving back in or not having a place to stay during visits, opt for a wall bed. It won’t interfere with your plans for the room and ensures your kid has a place to sleep.

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FEATURE In a sense, the specific room renovations are representative

adults who end up finding a job right after college make,

of the change within a person. They’re the (re)discovery

on average, a meager $1,600 or so a month, an amount that

of a held-back interest or a source of happiness. It’s

is hard to get by on, especially in big metropolitan cities.

understandable to think of room transformations as a way

There are also those who feel that they “just aren’t ready”

for empty nesters to stretch their legs, figure out what they

and need extra time to do some more life planning.

want, and transition into the next part of their lives.

These Boomerang children can make it uncomfortable and awkward for empty nesters to fully embrace the next stage of their lives. Simply put, parents aren’t able to proceed

I

n the last decade, however, there has been a change to the whole empty nest dynamic.

with any personal plans, whether it’s pursuing those new hobbies or getting that personalized boutique closet designed. They’re stuck playing the waiting game, not

According to the Pew Research Center, 36

percent of young adults from the ages of 18 to 31 are still living in their parents’ home, with the number climbing to

knowing whether their children will need a place to live and for how long.

56 percent for 18-24 year-olds. In a nutshell, many young

With the life cycles of young adults changing, being able

adults are returning home after graduating from college.

to transition properly has never been more important. In

These figures have been steadily increasing since the Great

this case, it means accommodating children who happen

Recession and don’t look to be slowing down any time

to come(back) knocking. Sally had the right idea in mind

soon.

by only renovating one of her four children’s rooms and

Today’s young adults, otherwise known as the Boomerang

keeping the remaining three open, as well as perfectly

Generation, have logical reasons for coming home. To start

clean and tidy. By doing so, she was able to transition her

off, starting a career during the past decade has gotten

own personal life and still keep the needs of her kids in

tougher, thanks to constrained job markets. Even young

mind. None of her kids have moved back in, but it wouldn’t

LIVING SITUATION OF AMERICANS 18-34

32.1%

PARENTS’ HOME

31.6%

MARRIED/COHABITING

14%

ALONE/HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD

22%

OTHER

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

“Alone/head of household” includes single parents and people who have roommates or renters living with them; “other” includes those living with family members (not parents), with nonfamily members or in group housing.

Credit: Pew Research Center/NPR

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35%

What did the living situtation of Americans between 18 and 34 look like 50 years ago?

Only 20 percent lived in their parents’ home. A whopping 62 percent lived with their spouse or significant other. Only 5 percent fell under the “Alone/Head of Household” category, and 13 percent filed under “Other.”

In other words, there are a lot more young Americans today living with their parents and a lot less living with their spouse or significant other.

Susan Greif, mother of four, found her new calling after all her kids had moved out in her new business, Art Mends Hearts.

Photo: Jan Goldstoff

T

hrough it all, Sally and her husband have gone on record to say that they “love” being empty

nesters. They feel a deeper sense of appreciation from their children through heartfelt apologies for past events and expressions of gratitude for loving parental care. Furthermore, Sally actually talks to her children more now than she did while they were living at home and feels a sense of happiness when it’s time for them to leave after a visit. Most importantly, after 31 years of raising children, Sally describes

be as big a life shock for everyone if they do.

the experience as “liberating.” She and her husband now have time to focus on what

In Susan’s case, she “organized space, got rid of old

they love to do.

clothes, and accumulated school books and papers.” She

In the words of spiritual author Eckhart

is keeping all of her children’s’ rooms intact until the day they decide to have their own families. Interestingly, one can view all of this as a message of warm love and comforting reassurance — a simple pat on the back from parents letting their kids know they are always in their

Tolle, “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”

corner.

Other empty nesters aren’t so fortunate and find transitioning to be a bumpy ride. Imagine completely accepting a new life without children at home, finally changing the bedroom into a spacious walk-in closet, and then getting blindsided by the fact your kid is coming back to live with you. The child (now a young adult) might find his or her original room to be too small or even nonexistent after having been transformed into a reward for their parents. Some then go about converting an existing room such as the family room into a private space by installing sliding doors or curtains. This transition rarely happens seamlessly and is generally disruptive to the household.

Family dynamics change too and a lot depends on the empty nester parents and how willing they are to accept and deal with change.

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DESIGN

Retail That Feels Like You’re at Home

by Keerthi Chandrashekar

RALEIGH — It’s true, at Closet Factory we get a lot of requests from clients to make their home closets feel like they’re in a high-end boutique. Closet Factory Raleigh, however, recently got something that was quite the opposite: make customers in a boutique clothing store feel like they’re in their dream closet at home. It’s still “shopping in your closet,” except one can (and has to) purchase the clothes on display.

Tymeshie Franklin, owner of upscale boutique Armoire, approached Closet Factory Raleigh to make her store seem bigger and increase display space. Designer Julia Page took on the challenge by incorporating mirrors to grow the space and added storage space behind some of the doors. Tymeshie also wanted an upscale checkout counter, which was accomplished with decorative door panels and a laminate countertop. The glaze work was done by

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Fabulous Finishes by Michelle.

“We looked at many design options for the space and considered doing a mix of modern and traditional but in the end we went with a classic look.

We did see a closet on the Closet Factory website and we tried to emulate that look. The corbels add a sophistication to the store and the lighting just make the clothes pop,” Julia Page says.

“We were looking for the customer to feel like they were in their dream closet while shopping. This store IS a woman’s dream closet. The second you enter the store it just envelops you. We also didn’t want to get too fancy to take away from the clothes, which I think we succeeding in doing. The store is gorgeous but the clothes make a statement.”

Tymeshie Franklin, owner of the woman’s boutique clothing store Armoire (inset), stands behind the custom checkout counter with decorative door panels and a laminate coutertop.

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DESIGN DESIGN

Commercial Wall Unit: Antique White Melamine with Glazed Crown Molding Designed by: Julia Page, Closet Factory Raleigh, NC With recessed puck lighting, glass shelves, and mirrors adorning the doors, this wall unit for North Carolina boutique Armoire was designed to make the store seem more spacious while still retaining a homey feel so the customers could feel like they were rifling through clothing options in their own closet.

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From Engineers to Entrepreneurs

by Keerthi Chandrashekar

Meet Mike and Suzanne Pail, owners of Closet Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina. After meeting during the first few months in Rochester Institute of Technology’s 5-year engineering program, they went on to marry, and after working at several jobs including at companies like IBM, decided to open up a Closet Factory franchise.

Their journey from engineers to self-reliant entrepreneurs wasn’t without challenges, including how to take the leap from a stable job to an unsure venture. Here’s what they had to say about their choice.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length.

What made you want to run your own business/franchise?

M: I like to think that I am a very hard worker with an eye for quality.

In my engineering endeavors, I was looked upon as one of my department standouts and was always willing to put in the extra time to get a job done on time or to improve the process to make sure we were running as efficiently as possible. At some point, I realized that I would be better served focusing all of this effort and energy on my own endeavor.

While I feel I am fortunate to have a strong intellect, more importantly, I am humble enough to know that there are plenty of things I don’t know. It was for this reason that I decided that my foray into business would be with an established franchise.

S: Mike had worked for a few different companies out of college and felt it would be interesting to have a business of his own. He looked into franchise options since he did not have a lot of business experience. I was in support of Mike with whatever he wanted to do. I was nervous, but thought it sounded like fun to help him out and learn about running a business.

Did you have any fears or concerns about making such a big life change?

S: We did have some concerns making such a large career change. We thought very hard about the consequences of leaving a secure job for something that we did not have a lot of experience with. We were comfortable taking the risk with one of us continuing our full-time job and knowing that we are both hard working and typically successful in the things we do. We also figured that worst case, if we did not enjoy running the business or if we did not do well at it, it would be great experience for whatever we do next.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

S: I feel like I have made good decisions throughout my life. If I had the chance to tell my younger self one thing, I think it would be to really think about what you are good at and what you enjoy and find a way to make that a career.

Any advice for someone else who might be considering making a major life/career change?

M: If I were to give advice to someone considering making a major life change, it would be to handle the options as an engineer would, mathematically! List the positives aspects and negatives aspects of the considered change and then assign a weighting to

each on a five-point scale: five being very important, one being not that important. Add the negatives and compare that to the sum of the positives. If one is much larger than the other, your decision should be simple. If they are close, you probably need to take some more time in deciding or accept that your change may be a lateral one.

Another thing I like to consider is if the worst thing that could reasonably happen, did, where would I end up and can I accept that? In my case, my wife is my best friend and the most important thing in my life, so even if I lost every worldly possession, I’d still have her and I can accept that risk.

S: If someone else considering making a major career change like this asked for advice, I would suggest they think it through and do their research, but don’t be afraid of change or taking chances. There are a few things to consider. First, what is the worst case scenario if you are not successful and can you live with that? Second, are you going to enjoy what you are doing?

Third, have a plan. Are you going to do this short term or long term? Measure your results and continually learn and get better.

And lastly, surround yourself with others who are successful and listen to them.

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TIPS

Moving with a Zen Attitude Zen Organizer and New York Times best-selling author Regina Leeds shares her tips for the big move. The keys to a successful move? Take care of yourself and have a plan.

by Regina Leeds I’ve never met anyone who loves to move.

I have, however, met people (think corporate execs and military families) who have the mechanics of a move down to a science. No matter how experienced you are, a move represents a seismic shift in your emotions.

Even if you aren’t the most organized person in the world, you probably know where your toothbrush, favorite jeans, and handbag are at any given moment. A move finds our belongings tossed into boxes and in need of new homes at the other end. We feel lost and at sea. It’s normal, of course, but rarely acknowledged as a major reason we dread moving.

Since few folks live a truly minimalist life, a bit of shedding is usually required before the big day. And shedding leads to guilt, another prime factor in the moving-is-hell scenario. We’ll have to confront those tiny jeans we’re never going to zip up again, the china Aunt Tilly gave

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us that we’ll never use but feel guilty selling, and, of course, that great cache of dead electronics and kitchen equipment we swear we’re going to have repaired. What’s a person to do?

You need a plan of action otherwise you’ll have half completed projects in every room, and, come the big day, you’ll throw in the proverbial towel and say: “I’ll decide at the other end!” Or worse, “Let’s put this in storage.

I’ll deal with it after the move.” Time, money, and energy are all commodities that we should not waståe. A plan will keep you focused and on schedule.

The most important aspect of your move is the self-care regimen you embrace as the planning begins. Decision making is the engine that runs the Organizing Train and it’s in high gear with a move. You need to eat well, have healthy snacks on hand, drink lots of water, and be sure you get adequate sleep. Do these and you’ll power through the mechanics. And remember: every move represents a fresh start. Shed the old, the worn out, and the no longer useful — make way for the items meant to serve you now. A move may see us saying goodbye to once cherished items but it also opens the door to the next chapter in our lives.

Time, money, and energy are all commodities that we should not waste. A plan will keep you focused and on schedule.

Zen Tip: You’ll be left with a sea of boxes and

paper, so plan for their disposal. Most communities allow a new resident to have one additional free trash pick up after a move. They will most likely want the boxes cut down, stacked by size, and tied together.

You can also offer them at a site like FreeCycle.com.

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DESIGN

Custom Walk-in: White Chocolate Melamine with Contemporary Cove Crown Molding Designed by: Deb Broockerd, Closet Factory Washington D.C. “The closet was designed to be wheelchair accessible to allow the husband full access to his clothing. The doorways and center aisle were laid out with care to make sure he could maneuver his power chair without obstacles.�

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Custom closets for the handicapped With low shelves and wide aisles, Closet Factory designer Deb Brookerd delivers a design that’s not only aesthetically clean but friendly for the handicapped.

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TIPS

Tips for Creating Your Home Music Studio

“

I think making music at home has made it a more affordable endeavor. No longer do you need rent studio space, some of which is really expensive, or depending on where you are located, extremely hard to find. Everyone has equal access to everything you need, which levels the playing field and opens the door to lots of creativity.

Los Angeles DJ and creator of the DJ Calendar Jason Damstrom shares some tips on creating a home music studio that works you. interview by Dan Moyer

”

Make it fun. This should never feel like work.

Design to your aesthetic so you want to be there.

You’ll be there for hours a day and you’ll enjoy it that much more.

Save money for decent equipment. There are definitely levels of quality, especially for speakers. You don’t need high end, but you’ll end up replacing low end if you go that route.

Backup hard drives: these are a must. You don’t want to spend hours, even days, on a project only to have technology take it from you. Keep multple copies in case something goes wrong.

A not-so-obvious, yet important component: a solid, ergonomic chair.

You’ll thank me later.

Storing vinyl records? Make sure to put them in an acid and lignin-free cardboard or wood (over metal) box and keep them away from extreme temperatures, so don’t place them right next to your electronics!

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HARDWARE

44

LINEN DRAWERS OFFER A DISTINCTLY NEW FLAVOR

by Katie Daniels

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HARDWARE

Looking for a new way to spruce up your closet without going overboard? If so, linen drawers are a hot new trend that could be worth looking into.

Instead of wooden drawers, linen drawers are made out of fabric. They offer a fresh spin on a closet necessity.

They mostly come in neutral colors, allowing colorful wardrobes to really shine without the hard edges of other materials.

“This is the next generation of closet organization. I would recommend it to anyone,” says Mae Holler, product marketing manager at Hafele.

Hardware supplier Hafele manufactures linen drawers and baskets as part of their ENGAGE closet line and sales have been through the roof. Hafele states that they’ve already exceeded their first-year sales forecast in seven months and that demand doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

“Linen drawers and baskets are tremendously popular options for storage these days. They provide ample room without being so deep you have to hunt for your favorite sweater or blouse,” Holler says. “As an additional benefit, these soft storage options cradle your belongings without leaving marks or imprints.”

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Why are linen drawers flying off the shelves? Holler says there are five main reasons: • Differentiation from standard closet designs.

• Warmth compared to typical wood drawers, wire baskets, or open shelves.

• Flexibility (at least with the ENGAGE system) in storage options and closet design.

• Allows you the option to accessorize your closet with coordinating complementary items such as hampers and storage boxes.

• Creates a modern, clean, contemporary look.

If you’re looking to soften some of the hard edges in your closet and make your wardrobe stand out, linen drawers are definitely worth your time — at least everybody else seems to think so.

“This is the next generation of closet organization. I would recommend it to anyone.”

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