Closet is done!!!

I actually finished last Wednesday, but I watched my little cousin Thursday and Friday so I was busy at the movies, pool, river, playing Wii and wherever else she wanted to go for those days. Anyway, back to the closet...it was a pain to get it in but we finally got it and I love it! It's designed for a closet that's 5'-8' and a standard height of at least 7'. Our closet is 6' 8" and about 6' 5' tall. I had to cut a little over 6" off the support posts, and drill new holes in the posts for the clips. I also had to eliminate a shelf since there just wasn't room for it. We also couldn't use the hanger bars so the hangers are hanging from the rack. If we used the bars the clothes would be dragging the floor which is not good. Another problem was the ends of the racks. There's supposed to be brackets mounted to the side walls, which we can't do since the chimney is on one end and the boards are so thin on the other end the screws would've gone straight though. So we took 2x4's and cut them down to the width of the closet and used wood screws to mount them to the closet frame and the shelves are sitting on the 2x4's. Yet another problem was the crumbling skim coat on the plaster. It was worth is though because I now have a ton more storage than I did and at least 3' more hanging space! I'm working on getting everything back in and figuring out how I want everything be. Once I get it all organized I'll post before and after pictures.

Closet System

I have decided to go against keeping our victorian closet all original. I just can't handle a single pole any more. I have been looking at closet systems for a long time but couldn't afford one. I was in WalMart Friday and saw a Closet Maid system on clearance for $40! I just let it be and figured James would never let me have it, even at that price. Well, I told him about it Saturday night and he reluctantly said I could have it!

So now I have it, the closet is empty and just cleaned. I'm waiting for the wood to dry so I can start. I'll post all the pictures later today after it's all done. Well, I should say if it's all done today, if not then it'll be tomorrow. I have to modify some things because it's for a 5'-8' closet that's a standard height. Our closet is a little over 6' (waiting for things to dry so I can measure) which is no problem. It's only about 6' tall, which is a problem, so I have to break out tools to cut the supports so it'll fit. Should be fun!

Organization and Spring Cleaning

I have said before that I love my closet. And I really do. Isn't it pretty? The problem is that it is the only closet in the house. And it only has a hanging rod and a short shelf (the height of a shoe box). I have decided that it's time for an intervention. I've been looking at closet storage systems and think I have decided on the Rubbermaid Customizable 4'-8' closet system. It will fit the odd length of the closet so there is no cutting and it comes with all the rods, shelves, and hardware for only $99.97! Then I'll have plenty of room for my 50 pairs of pants (not kidding...a downside of working in a clothing store for 5 years), tops, shoes, bags, and I may finally be able to get some of James clothes into the closet. I decided all this while trying to get all the laundry caught up and ran out of space again. Now I just have to convince James that this is a good investment. Oh, and I'm buying storage totes for the top half to hold out of season clothes, James collection of Nascar crap, and my toys left from when I was a kid (they've made it this long so they're not going anywhere)

I have also started spring cleaning. We have way too much crap and nowhere to put it, so I'm getting rid of a lot of it. I started getting things together for a yard sale last year, but it never happened, so I am adding to it. And I decided whatever doesn't sell is going to Goodwill the same day so it doesn't find a way back into the house. I am tired of all the clutter so I'm going through everything with the "if you haven't used/worn it in 2 years get rid of it" approach. With a few exceptions. And I've been doing actual cleaning too...windows, scrubbing floors, TONS of laundry, and I even cleaned the pets (and no, the kitties didn't like it!).

A victorian closet

I thought while I was showing off the woodwork in the living room today, I'd also show off my closet. I absolutely fell in love with this when we toured the house the first time. Its a floor to ceiling armoire-style closet, with tons of detail.
The inside is basic and its barely deep enough to fit the hangers, and I have to have a ladder to get into the top half...but I still love it! And all those clothes are mine...there's no room for any of James in there!
This is the latch. I really want to clean it up. Both locks still work, and the detail is beautiful. We are going to have this closet replicated as close as possible in the second bedroom where there is currently no closet. We need something in there and figured why not go with the same thing we already have.