Now it is, anyway.
Ya know that single bar with a single shelf above it? I guess it was enough for a complete wardrobe during the depression. But now…Well, let’s just say that I’ve been buying/feverishly collecting clothes for about 35 years. (And I still have almost every piece. Let that sink in a bit) So naturally, I need to use every available inch of my closet.
Here’s where we started…
I call this shot…..”4 different flooring options”
This is what the master bedroom looked like before we moved in. That’s my current closet on the right. And there’s that single bar with the above shelf. Also, notice the scalloping detail above the sliding doors? That was the first to go. Also, also, notice the wood floor in the closet stops about 11 1/2 inches from the back wall? W. T. Heck is that about? (Shakes fist in the air at previous Cavender home owner)
Here’s what I was working with last week…
The scallop trim is long gone, yes. But I still need to maximize space and the access to that maximized new space.
I ripped off the doors, track, that sad little bar, the moldings, the newish UN-scalloped trim AND about 20 inches of drywall and 2X4 closet header…..taking the opening almost all the way to the ceiling.
Now to fix the half-assed floors. (Pardon my sailor talk, but, Come On, Seriously?)
I’ve always intended to peel up those 6 vinyl squares and finish installing the wood floor in the back of my closet…..and the other 2 closets in the other 2 bedrooms….That’s a no brainer. Of course, every product the previous owner used to “upgrade” this house is no longer in production (shakes fist at the previous owner’s bad decisions,…. yet again. Did he run out of money? Lose interest? Move? It boggles the mind)
I did find a similar flooring. That’s not really the issue….
This is….
For some reason unknown, he installed the hardwood floor AROUND the sliding door hardware. No kidding. Who does that kind of shit? And it looks like he cut it with a knife and fork…… While high.
There was honestly a moment, brief moment mind you, where I thought I might just “fill in” this hole with wood scraps. But my OCD got the better of me (Thank God)……and I just removed all of the offensive flooring and started fresh.
Glad I did too…
Even though the new wood is a slightly different color. Slightly. I think we can all agree that it looks tons better already.
I painted the interior side walls and the ceiling a fresh, crisp white. Ceiling paint actually.
Except for the back wall, because it will be cedar.
I started with cedar shiplap from the Lowe’s. Joanna Gains would be so proud.
Wise choice to repel moths…..
But not cheap. Not cheap like the fencing cedar we used in the garage. But hey, this is my 35 year clothing investment we’re protecting here.
I started at the bottom, and whipped this out in about 200 dollars. I mean, 2 hours.
Way, more, much better already.
And it smells just heavenly.
Now, on to fixturing. Plumbing pipe was a given. After all, I wrote the book about using industrial pipes around the house. DIY Industrial Pipe Furniture & Decor available for purchase now on Amazon. Not sure if I’ve pushed it hard enough this week.
I wanted something like all the dreamy pipe closets I see on Pinterest. Like this one…
I plotted the pipe layout using masking tape on the back wall, making sure there was plenty of room for everything. In fact the top bar will be about 2 inches from the ceiling.
Easy Peasy.
Then, on grease-stained paper, I plotted all the pipe sizes.
I’m not going to sugar coat the rest, because it took me 5 trips to the Home Depot (and 1 trip to Lowe’s) to get the 3/4″ black pipes right. And I’m a pipe expert. Right?
But I think I finally got it down…..And I guarantee the pipe-cutting dude at the H. Depot will be avoiding me for the next couple of months.
The ladder looking part on the bottom will be wood shelves for jeans, sweaters and shorts. I simply used a 24″X48″, 3/4″ thick, sheet of plywood cut into three 24″ X 15″ rectangles that each rest on a cedar cleat I screwed to the back walls. (What are the odds? My neighbor Steve was tossing cedar scraps at the same time I was working on this.)
I notched the sides of my plywood shelves with a jig-saw to wrap snugly around the side pipes.
Not too thrilled with that raw plywood edge facing me, so I covered it in more scrap wood, 1 X 2’s this time.
Because I removed the doors, and don’t want them back…I hung a curtain. Imagine being able to see everything at once. No more choosing which side to dig in by sliding the doors back and forth.
These grey wool panels were a throwaway at work because there is some minor bug damage. Not entirely my style. But “FREE” certainly is…and there one for each big closet. But best of all, they have these groovy 1 1/2″ grommets across the top.
Perfect for threading…y’all guessed it…another pipe; like a 1 inch galvanized from Lowe’s.
I simply had the Lowe’s associate cut it to 58 1/2 ” allowing 1/4″ of flange on each side because my door opening is exactly 59″ wide.
Done deal,
Wanna see the results?
I know, the pic’s a little grainy…but ya’ll get the idea.
A place for everything….
…and everything in its place.
It might look a little tight…but this was all about maximizing every possible square inch.
And I’m pretty sure I did just that.
Best of all. I LOVE it!
Now on to tackle the other 3 closets in this house.
THE CAVENDER DIARY 
It looks fantastic!
Opener just cracked me up! I have heard my son say that so many times! Yes…what is that not finishing the floor in the closet all about? How much could that have cost at the time? And under the door track? 😁 Well it looks great…I think you have way more clothes than I have!
Not to change the subject….but how is our boy Harley. It has been a while since you have posted a picture.
Harley is doing great. She’s at “sleep away camp” right now because we are headed to Florida early in the morning for a few days…..it’s quiet in the house without her here. And we both miss her already….
Absolutely impressive!!! I can’t believe how much you got in that closet!! Great job!!
Love your French comments, had me giggling with each frame of progress! Naturally it turned out wonderfully, so impressed once again. I can’t remember from earlier posts why you haven’t turned one of your other rooms into a marvelous walk in closet. Can’t wait for more updates!
This closet puts the stun in stunning! Omigosh @ your clothes! But seriously, you’d better hope the former owner of your house doesn’t read your blog! No kidding — I’ve wanted to snap a photo of the squalor/yard next door + post/bitch about it, but I’m afraid our neighbor will read about it. Have fun in FLA!
I always imagine that he’ll stop by someday to see the place, he’s an acquaintance of a friend/neighbor of ours, and I can show him what he could have done better……HA!
Wow, you do have a collection! The floor was probably like that because a built in shoe shelf (like an angled box) was there. I have one in my closet that I considered pulling out before but I would probably end up with the same issue. The closet looks fabulous.
Thanks Tracie! An angled shoe rack sounds like a great idea!!!
Wow, you did a great job!! (but of course), makes me want to re-look at my closet now. Just a little thought…..might there be a little bump out in your future….your collection is impressive and no doubt will be added to as time goes on. You don’t want to say no to yourself! Just a thought……
Michele, I dream of the day when everything fits in a single closet, right now my clothes are in 2 closets, 3 dressers, 4 lockers, couple boxes in the attic, a wall of pegracks and rolling rack in the garage……we talk about extending the master bedroom outward. Who knows, might happen one day.
Sadly, a bit like that for us also….frustrating.
It looks great! I am inspired. I recently painted our coat closet and added a shelf and it took me over a week. I plan to paint my whole house, including the closets. Your posts really help me stay motivated. Thank-you!
So glad that I can motivate someone! Motivating myself is the hardest part. Now go paint that house!
Hilarious as always! I love learning my English idioms from your blog… totally cracked me at W.T Heck 😀 the closet is lovely, crammed more than Tokyo subway though!
Vera…to be honest I actually took some things out before I took pictures so it didn’t look too crammed. LOL! And glad your liking my G-rated phrases…..it’s more fun to not use foul language sometimes. ……..sometimes.
Fantastic job! Always love seeing your projects! Have a great time in Florida! Take care!😊
We desperately need a week in Florida right now! Thanks.
Great job! You really worked that closet. By the way, did I miss the master bath “Big Reveal”?
Were trying to take decent pics to show y’all…..once we put the glass up the room got much smaller.
“How do you like you steak?”
“Free!”
So, I’ve been working on a collection of short stories about those days…..and that is one of my favorite moments. Your family must have thought there was something wrong with me.
Nah. You were a step up from a lot of the boys I brought home! They still ask about you.
What? I have never seen a better closet! You might be in the wrong business! You DO need to lighten up on the clothes, though. You can’t buy one more thing.Well done!
Don’t tell anyone…..but I took a lot out before I took pictures. I know, anytime I buy a new shirt….I have to donate an old one to make room.
This is INCREDIBLE!!! And I LOVE your book & gave a copy as a gift to a like-minded friend!!
OMG!!!! That’s so awesome to hear!!! Is your friend a young guy? Apparently my “market” is teenish Boys. A dear friend’s husband is a high school teacher and the kids in his class all loved it too!!!!
i really loved this closet re-do. (Finally went way back in my e-mail to find it …) As usual, when I suggested to spousal unit that we do this in our walk-in closet (I bought your book on Amazon when it first came out) he vigorously complained about the price of pipe. I let it go since he used your book as inspiration and crafted a coffee table recently for our daughter, but I’m going to INSIST that we install cedar shiplap on a wall !!! I mean, where has this been all my life? Can’t wait. Thanks for the inspiration and the totally enjoyable posts.
Go get some cedar ship-lap!!!! Trust me. Such an improvement……I’ve added it to 2 of our closets so far. 2 more to go. OOOHHH, and I’d love to see the coffee table he made!