At-Home Master Class
Home Organization by Clos-ette's Melanie Fowler
If Zoom is your new BFF and home is your new office, then this is going to be the must-read interview of the week. We spoke to Melanie Charlton Fowler, founder of organizational design firm Clos-ette, to get her tips on how to create a space that feels like a C-suite setting. "We're all used to working from home," says Charlton Fowler, who counts Beyoncé and Drew Barrymore as clients, "but having a workspace and working remotely are two very different things."
And for those reading with extra hours at home on hand—which, let's face it, is all of us—the New Yorker shares how to tackle closet clutter and refresh your wardrobe in 4 easy steps. Need more get-up-and-go inspiration? Charlton Fowler also reveals she's using this time to get proactive on all the personal projects she usually puts off—like organizing the thousands and thousands of photos on her phone. "Artifact Uprising is my favorite paper album," she notes. "I'm obsessed.
How to organize a better home office
1. Create a No-Kids Zone
Find a space that can be private. Establish boundaries around that space—from your children, spouse, dogs, whomever. You're going to need privacy to work—and focus—from home.
Find a space that can be private. Establish boundaries around that space—from your children, spouse, dogs, whomever. You're going to need privacy to work—and focus—from home.
2. Go Paperless
We just don't have the real estate for filing anymore; it's become obsolete. The more you can scan and throw into an app, like Dropbox, the better.
We just don't have the real estate for filing anymore; it's become obsolete. The more you can scan and throw into an app, like Dropbox, the better.
3. Stop Hoarding
You don't need those business cards from the early 2000s—take the time to scan them—or that huge stash of rubber bands you've squirreled away. People hoard the weirdest things, from old papers to pencil cases. Edit all that out.
You don't need those business cards from the early 2000s—take the time to scan them—or that huge stash of rubber bands you've squirreled away. People hoard the weirdest things, from old papers to pencil cases. Edit all that out.
4. Make the Space Functional
Create organization. Do you need a docking station? Boxes for stationery and checkbooks? I still love to write by hand, so I keep my stationery and other stuff I need for work in boxes, separated and labeled.
Create organization. Do you need a docking station? Boxes for stationery and checkbooks? I still love to write by hand, so I keep my stationery and other stuff I need for work in boxes, separated and labeled.
How to organize your closet
1. Edit, Edit, Edit
Always start with an edit. Be ruthless. If there's a stain on something and you've sent it to the dry cleaners three times and it's not coming out, get rid of it! And don't hang on to sizes you don't fit into anymore. I'm a big believer in giving away things—gift these items to your daughter, niece or family friend.
Think about what looks good on you. Less is more. Be realistic about what you wear. If you're quarantined at home right now, try things on, ask your partner, your kids—they know what looks good on you. (Tell them to be truthful but loving!)
Always start with an edit. Be ruthless. If there's a stain on something and you've sent it to the dry cleaners three times and it's not coming out, get rid of it! And don't hang on to sizes you don't fit into anymore. I'm a big believer in giving away things—gift these items to your daughter, niece or family friend.
Think about what looks good on you. Less is more. Be realistic about what you wear. If you're quarantined at home right now, try things on, ask your partner, your kids—they know what looks good on you. (Tell them to be truthful but loving!)
2. Organize by Category
Shoes with shoes, bags with bags, tops with tops, dresses with dresses, coats with coats, and so on. Then, I like to organize light to dark, left to right.
Shoes with shoes, bags with bags, tops with tops, dresses with dresses, coats with coats, and so on. Then, I like to organize light to dark, left to right.
3. Don't Forget the Hangers
Use the same hangers throughout. I like lighter hangers because it shows off the clothes better, but at least make them monotone—white, ivory, black. You can buy these in bulk on Amazon or The Container Store.
Use the same hangers throughout. I like lighter hangers because it shows off the clothes better, but at least make them monotone—white, ivory, black. You can buy these in bulk on Amazon or The Container Store.
4. Accessorize! (Yes, Your Closet Needs Accessories)
Get the drawer inserts, the jewelry organizer, the tie and belt racks, the purse stuffers (Fabrinique has my favorites)... Get the boot trees so your boots stand straight. I love the ones from Dasco, but if you need custom inserts—call Clos-ette! We make them. If you have cabinet seams, drill in a valet rod; if you don't, surface-mount it. These are easy DIY projects.
Get the drawer inserts, the jewelry organizer, the tie and belt racks, the purse stuffers (Fabrinique has my favorites)... Get the boot trees so your boots stand straight. I love the ones from Dasco, but if you need custom inserts—call Clos-ette! We make them. If you have cabinet seams, drill in a valet rod; if you don't, surface-mount it. These are easy DIY projects.
Bonus Shoe Tip
If you are low on space, there are two different ways to organize your shoes. If you have more shelf space—that is, it's longer vs. deeper—place one pair with the toe forward, the other with the heel forward. If your space is deeper but not as wide, then put one shoe in the front and the matching pair in the back, behind it.
If you are low on space, there are two different ways to organize your shoes. If you have more shelf space—that is, it's longer vs. deeper—place one pair with the toe forward, the other with the heel forward. If your space is deeper but not as wide, then put one shoe in the front and the matching pair in the back, behind it.
Greatest Challenge?
With my clients, it's definitely the hoarding and editing. Think of organizing your home and life like a good diet and exercise routine. You have to start with the foundation, which is the diet. Then editing is the exercise part, right? Learn how to keep things in shape and do the physical part of it—the organizing. It will be painful at first—just like people have a hard time converting from processed foods to natural—but then you'll want to do it more. It's just getting over the initial hump.
With my clients, it's definitely the hoarding and editing. Think of organizing your home and life like a good diet and exercise routine. You have to start with the foundation, which is the diet. Then editing is the exercise part, right? Learn how to keep things in shape and do the physical part of it—the organizing. It will be painful at first—just like people have a hard time converting from processed foods to natural—but then you'll want to do it more. It's just getting over the initial hump.
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