LOOKBOOK

Kelley Nelson

Since I was a little kid I’ve loved to organize things and to make sure that everything has a place. Now I get to do it for a living!

Everyone has a completely different situation and different needs, but it all comes down to the same thing. Make it work! (Thank you, Tim Gunn.) That’s where I come in.

I actually love to hear about pain points because I’m a problem solver. I listen well and enjoy a collaborative process. My goal is to create a space that gets you so excited that you have to show anyone who comes over, and I’ll be with you from the start of the project to the finish in order to make that happen.

MY ADVICE:

Consider putting your shoe shelving ABOVE a hanging section. This allows you to see your shoes more easily rather than having to bend over to see what’s just under your hanging clothes.

Be realistic about what you need. Don’t hide your mess before we come over, we’re here to help! We want to see the inventory and hear about why it’s in piles, etc, (we’re going to count and measure everything!) so we can build you what you actually need.

If space is tight, it may be best utilized to move your longer hanging items into a secondary closet. How often are you really needing access to your wedding and prom dresses?

“Everything turned out just the way I wanted! Thank you for your help with this project.”

– Christine T. from Portland, OR

“The mudroom looks awesome! It now looks exactly as I had hoped!”

– Shannon B. from Portland, OR

MY FAQ’s:

 “How do you first approach a space? In other words, what’s the first thing you think about when you first see a client’s closet space/storage problem?”

I approach any space by asking the client questions, and then more questions, and then more questions. I want to know all the details about what they like and what they don’t like. It’s the “hopes and dreams” conversation. I want to have a big picture conversation so I can start understanding the functionality they need, what aesthetic they’re after and how their budget fits into the picture.

 “What is the biggest design obstacle you’ve overcome? i.e. awkwardly angled walls, electrical sockets in bizarre places, big collections in small spaces.”

I’ve worked with so many clients to make the weird space under the stairs usable. It takes a lot of detailed conversations, and there has to be some willingness to understand we’re working with angles, but I’ve had some really functional storage come out of those spaces.

 “Since collaboration is such an integral part of the design process, how do you like to engage or connect with clients in order to help them realize their vision for a space?”

That will really depend on the client, so the first way I try to collaborate is to understand how they like to work. There are so many options! But there are two things I definitely try to incorporate. First, it’s really helpful to share pictures back and forth. There are so many places from which to draw inspiration, and it’s really helpful in effective communication. Secondly, I like to see my client in their space, with their things, and talk about how their space affects their day to day life. By observing, it prompts me to ask the right questions to deliver the perfect design.

 “How are you inspired by a home’s existing décor? Is there anything specific that you look for during an in-home consultation?”

This is potentially huge. You can get so many hints by just looking around! It’s really important to ask your client what they love about their current setting and what they can’t wait to have re-done. Don’t assume that because their living room is a certain style that their closet should match. It could be that redoing the living room is next because they can’t stand it! Questions, questions, questions. But if they’re living in something they love, paying attention to those details is what takes my design to the next level.

 “What are some ways a custom designed home office can improve productivity? In other words, how does the right type of home office help people do business?”

Everyone knows you’re more productive when you’re organized, and that a cluttered work area leads to a cluttered mind. Even with the best of intentions, you can’t keep organized when things don’t have a place. When looking at an office, we have to find the bottle neck. There’s always at least one. We’re going to find a home for everything so you’re able to spend your time working on productive items rather than sifting through messes.

 “What are some modern organizational trends, or what’s a trend you’re looking for?”

I’m seeing the idea of a dual purpose room become more and more popular. A home office with a wall bed, perhaps? People are downsizing and they want to be smart with the space they have. A wall bed is a genius addition to an extra room so they room stays usable even when you don’t have a guest. There’s still great storage available, and they’re completely hidden when not in use. It’s also a great way to combine a kids bedroom with their play room if you’re short on space and want to keep the toys out of the kitchen. There are lots of exciting options!