Client Story: A Stylish Closet Transformation

Tagg is a 48-year-old executive who spends about a week each month in Sarasota. He recently purchased a beautifully restored 1920s apartment downtown and completely renovated it with the help of local interior designer Courtney Anderson. The finished space is modern and masculine—think Palm Beach meets bachelor pad. So when Tagg asked me to design his closets, I knew they needed to match that same elevated, intentional vibe.

Designing Around Style and Space

Tagg shared an inspiration photo that gave me a great idea of the look he was going for: clean, modern, and masculine, but also simple and functional. The apartment’s age presented some design challenges—closets weren’t standard sizes, and the bedroom closet was only 22 inches deep (less than the standard 24 inches). On top of that, there was a fire sprinkler in the closet ceiling that couldn’t be moved, and it had to maintain clear space underneath per code.

Bedroom closet - before

Utility closet - before

I started with the entry closet, which we decided would function as a utility space. Tagg needed storage for cleaning supplies, a vacuum, tools, and jackets—but I also wanted to create a designated beach zone for towels, sunblock, and other grab-and-go essentials.

In the bedroom, we wanted focused on maximizing hanging space while still providing room for a few drawers. Since Tagg only keeps the essentials in Sarasota, we didn’t need an overly complex system—just something sleek and functional.

I met with our friend Alyssa at Closet Envy to design the closet and once I saw the finish samples, I knew Dark Concrete was the one. It’s a deep, textured tone with an almost leather-like look—perfect for a bachelor pad. We paired it with gold hardware for a polished contrast and added thoughtful details like a valet rod, drawer liners for watches and jewelry, and a narrow drawer stack to avoid sacrificing hanging space.

Because we were working with such tight dimensions, I decided to skip the backing panel—adding it would have taken away another precious inch of depth.

Closet finishes

Closet design rendering

Installation & Custom Fit

After finalizing the design, we moved on to demo and prep. This required an expert so I reached out to Garrett at Yankee Fix-It. The original closet shelves needed to be removed, and he had to rewire the closet lighting before installation could start.

Removing the old shelves

Painting completed

Because we had eliminated the back panel to save space, Garrett painted the closet walls Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze, a rich, moody color that disappears behind the clothes and adds to the custom-built look. The finished closets felt like they belonged in the space from day one.

Bringing it All Together: Organizing with Style

Once the systems were installed, it was time to organize. I replaced all the plastic hangers with these black wooden hangers with gold hooks to match the aesthetic—these are my go-to hangers because they’re slim, elegant, and help create a cohesive look.

Bedroom closet

Hanging clothes

Drawers

In the utility closet, I used bins to corral smaller items like sunblock, batteries, and tools. I also made sure that Tagg’s boxing gear and beach supplies were easy to grab on the way out the door. With everything in its place, the closets are now just as stylish and functional as the rest of his apartment.

Clear bins for boxing gear

Household supplies

The Utility Closet

Collaboration is key.

This project was a true team effort, and we’re big believers in the power of collaboration.

It was important to me to make sure the closet finishes aligned with the overall style of the apartment—and didn’t feel like an afterthought.

I also coordinated with the contractor to remove the original shelving, patch the drywall, and rewire the closet lighting before our installation began. Timing was tight, and space was limited, so clear communication between everyone involved was essential.

Once the closet was installed, it was ready to put everything back, beautifully AND organized!

Closets designed to fit your lifestyle—and your aesthetic.
If you're ready for a custom organizing solution that’s beautiful and built around you, let’s talk!

📞 Contact Sarasota Home Organizer today.