Uniquely Organized With Closets by Tom
Premiere Custom Closets in Pittsburgh
Sometimes, when desperately looking for that one item of clothing you have to wear that day, you stare into the abyss that is your closet and wonder how it’s possible that one single person has accumulated so much stuff. Shamefully, you look upon everything that you just had to have, realizing that you have a real serious problem. The solution? It’s time to get organized. Not just organized, but uniquely organized. If that time has come, you should contact the custom closet geniuses at Closets by Tom. Maniac recently chatted with Laura Ferri, wife and partner of Tom, who shed some light on how Closets by Tom can bring your fashion graveyard back to life.
Maniac Magazine: How long have you been in the custom closet business?
Closets by Tom: It has been eleven wonderful years and counting!
MM: What inspired you to start your own business?
CBT: We bought our home back in 1994. It needed a lot of TLC and we have basically built a new home around it and have done the majority of the work ourselves. During this time, Tom realized that he really enjoys carpentry work, and even better, he was good at it! One referral led to another, and voilá, Closets by Tom was born!
MM: What are some of the perks to having a custom closet?
CBT: Starting your day in an organized closet can really improve your peace of mind with less clutter around you and the ability to find what you want when you need it. It’s also a valuable upgrade to your home which is just another bonus!
MM: Why should someone consider using your services, as opposed to building their own from retailers such as Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.?
CBT: We’ve had friends who had installed their own closet system from a local home improvement store prior to us starting our business, but six months later the drawers had already started to give them problems. After eleven years, we’ve not had a single client call us to tell us their drawers were rickety or tilting when they were opened. Quality is of upmost importance to us and if a defect is found, we repair or replace it right away.
MM: Take me through the design process; what is involved, and how long does it usually take?
CBT: During your consultation, our designers measure your existing space and take a quick inventory of its contents to determine your needs. They will then design a solution that instantly allows you to visualize your finished custom designed space. Any change you want to see can be made with a click of a button. Once your closet is designed, there’s a very short lead time, usually within two to three weeks, before your new space is ready to use.
MM: Aside from having a custom closet in your bedroom, where is another place where a custom closet works well?
CBT: Kitchen pantry organizers are the perfect addition to the serious kitchen. Mudrooms and entry closets can create instant organization for when the family comes home. Garage storage is every home owner’s nightmare and a garage organizing system is a must-have…We can create organized spaces almost anywhere in your home—if you want something organized, we are here to help!
MM: What is the craziest request you’ve had?
CBT: We had a client whose laundry room shared a wall with the walk in closet. Essentially, we made it so that clothing fresh from the dryer could be easily accessed from the closet side. It was definitely a challenge, but we are always up for it!
MM: What is your favorite project you have done?
CBT: One of our favorite projects was for a home in the Laurel Highlands. They were skiing enthusiasts and we designed and installed a unit which included a bench to sit and easily put on and remove boots, an area to store skis and poles and we created an enclosure around a boot warming station that matched the rest of the system.
MM: What is one job you look forward to doing?
CBT: We have something coming up that’s going to be spectacular! Besides being a very functional closet, the homeowners wanted it to be visually appealing. We added fluted columns to break up the walls, glass doors to display her purses, several banks of drawers and of course, plenty of hanging space. There will be a bench seat with a pull out drawer in front of the window and a nook area filled with mirrored doors.
MM: What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to organize their closets?
CBT: I think a key element of organizing your closet is knowing your everyday needs. A big part of our design process is reviewing your clothing inventory and then creating a closet that will not only look great but more importantly, function well for your everyday needs.
MM: What does the future look like for Closets by Tom?
CBT: We love what we do and we hope to continue to bring Pittsburghers beauty and organization together, for a very long time.
If there’s a part of your life that could use some organizational TLC, check out www.closetsbytom.com to see the incredible before-and-after shots, and book an appointment.
