Sara’s Main Closet Makeover – A Story Of Four Wallpapers

A lot of projects have been slow moving, or even have come to a grinding halt recently. My primary closet is not one of them. We are moving full steam ahead on this project, and I am GIDDY about it because we’ve been living off a metal garment rack, and a too small front closet for a year and a half. But even that is a big improvement over what used to be in the primary bedroom, which was an added on box that used to be where our new bedroom door entrance is:

The space that is now the closet used to be a strange square space “through room,” that connected the kitchen to the primary bedroom, and also housed the primary bathroom entrance. Here is the floorplan so you can see what I mean:

Here’s what it looks likes right now:

Is it ideal? No, but it hasn’t been AWFUL. When we first moved in I was actually living out of a single suitcase, and it really proved to me how FEW clothes I actually need to dress myself. So, I’ve been able to whittle my wardrobe down significantly.

This is great for three reasons: First, my clothing just takes up less space. I still need a little bit more room than Mac, but overall, we’re pretty evenly split. Secondly, I actually wear more of what I own. I used to horde so many pieces, but the truth is I’m not a fashion risk-taker and I end up wearing the same pieces over and over. And lastly, already having a small wardrobe helps me keep my wardrobe small.

But now we’re super lucky to be working on designing a primary closet that really functions for what we want and need! I think the best part about this closet is that, since we designed it from the ground up, we were able to add in a Velux sun tunnel in the ceiling, and a small window on the right-hand wall. These two things bring in SO much natural light, which is rare in a closet. And they make the closet feel more like a “room” than a “closet.”

The other detail in here that makes this space feel super special is that custom, vintage-inspired, brass sconce over the window from Light Work Design Co., an independent lighting shop on Etsy that created for me my DREAM sconce after I wasn’t able to find exactly what I was looking for anywhere online. Seriously, if you want something special and want to support a talented independent maker please check Light Works Co.!

The closet really is almost done, it just needs the actual CLOSET system to complete it.

We worked with The Container Store to design a custom closet plan using their Elfa Decor line, and even though we haven’t installed it yet, I’m already in love with it. The design process was wildly easy and Barb, our designer, literally pulled together the closet of my dreams right before our eyes over a video conference call. In full transparency, I was totally blown away by how easy and happy I was with the design process. Here’s where we landed:

There are enough hangers, hooks, and drawers to satisfy both Mac and I. And there’s the sweetest little vanity moment happening under the window and dream sconce. My vision for that area is displaying all of my perfumes there, along with a little vintage piece of art, and a view to our newly stuccoed back wall that will be soon covered in climbing greenery.

We could stop there. The closet, with the sun tunnel, window, dream sconce, and perfect closet system would all make for an awesome closet. But . . . what is a closet without a minor existential design crisis? I mean, truly. So, I’m having a bit of a traditional maximal moment right now. What does that mean? I’m still working that out, but essentially I’m really missing some bold risks in our house. A few exciting moments, like our TV room. At the same time, I want those bolder moments to feel period and natural in our home. So I’m thinking wallpaper, moody paints, and more color.

That’s why I want to wallpaper our bedroom closet from top to bottom. All four walls, and the ceiling too. We wallpapered our vanity nook at our old apartment, and it was my favorite moment in the whole space. I truly feel, at my core, I’m a wallpaper person. And our house needs more wallpaper in it (help me convince Mac that we need to wallpaper the ceiling in our TV room with this). The only question is WHICH WALLPAPER? After hours of looking online, and staring at 20-30 samples, I narrowed it down to TWO options. Willow in Japser Green from Bradbury & Bradbury or Bachelor’s Button in Ecru from Morris & Co. Both wallpapers were actually designed by Victorian-era textile design icon William Morris, who had a big thing for medieval motifs. He’s a favorite designer of mine, and his work just happens to fit perfectly into a Craftsman home.

But then PLOT TWIST. After talking about my deep desire for a bold wallpaper moment in my closet, the EHD team told me that the ones I had picked out were ummm… not very bold and I might be sad that I didn’t take a bigger risk. Fine. They might be right. So here are my new top four “bolder” contenders.

OPTION 1 – Strawberry Thief

This is SUCH A SWEET WALLPAPER. I’m in love with these little bird friends. This pattern was designed by Victorian-era textile design icon William Morris, who had a big thing for medieval motifs. He’s a favorite designer of mine, and his work just happens to fit perfectly into a Craftsman home. My only quandary is if this paper is a touch too whimsical and playful, and difficult to design around with the master bedroom.

OPTION 2 – Pimpernell

Another William Morris design, and this one he actually used himself in his own dining room. COMPELLING. I love the earthy colors and the super classic design. It feels a little more “refined” than his Strawberry Thief motif above. But is it snoozy?

OPTION 3 – Chiavi Segrete

Another green option, this one covered in a pretty green foliage with hidden keys throughout. I really like this one, and feel like it’s a touch whimsical, a touch refined, and all green which is just my eternal favorite color. I also think this design could transition with a lot of design directions we take for the main bedroom. Mac likes the pattern as a concept, but isn’t sure he likes it as a whole.

OPTION 4 – HONEYSUCKLE & TULIP

One more William Morris paper to round out the options – but this one is all light, neutral, and very subtle. I like that it still has a lot going on in the design, but maybe doesn’t scream “LOOK AT ME!” It’s definitely not bold though . . .

So what do you think friends – whimsical and fun, traditional and refined, bold and green, or neutral and subtle? Help me, please.

And if you too are in need of some wallpaper boldness in your life head to our online wallpaper resource post.