Go ahead, admit it. You fantasize about that perfect, calm, clutter-free closet (we do). Whether you're transforming an unused room into a walk-in closet or struggling with a tiny apartment closet, here are five closet storage systems worth considering.

(NB: See Unclutterer's Closet Organizing Tips to get you started.)

Above: Italian company Poliform offers custom walk-in closet systems in a range of styles, including the minimalist Ego Walk-in Closet designed by Giuseppe Bavuso. Contact Poliform to locate a showroom near you.

Above: Seattle-based Henrybuilt offers handsome, made-in-the-US custom built-in and standalone wardrobes and closets. For more information and pricing, contact Henrybuilt.

Above: Henrybuilt's closet systems include features like leather drawer pulls, felt storage pockets, and built-in laundry hampers. For details on Henrybuilt's leather pulls, see our earlier post, Rugged Leather Pulls, Heritage Edition.

Above: For a quality mid-range closet system, consider the Elfa range available at the Container Store. They offer individual components as well as custom solutions, like the Birch and Platinum Elfa Decor Master Walk-In Closet (shown above); $1,061.91 self install or $1,327.67 installed. For reach-in closets, consider the Birch and White Elfa Decor Classic Reach-in Closet Set (shown above), which measures 16 by 74 by 8 inches; $784.98 self-install and $981.36 installed from the Container Store

Above: Does your bedroom lack closets? Consider Installing a wardrobe system along the bedroom wall such as Ikea's Pax Wardrobe System. It's available with a wide range of sliding and standard door options and size combinations; $129 and up.

Above: The PAX Wardrobe System can also be used without doors to create a custom walk-in closet. Ikea offers a full complement of PAX Interior Organizers to customize to your storage needs.

Above: Turn a wall into an instant wardrobe with the super affordable Ikea Algot Clothes Storage System. The functional parts can be assembled in many different configurations to accommodate your space and storage needs. The Algot Wall Upright Rod and Shoe Organizer (as shown above) is $169.99 at Ikea. Other components are available (N.B.: The Ikea Algot Clothes Storage System can also be used in an existing reach-in closet).

See our Closet Storage Picks for more ideas and storage tools.

Our friend Jeff Sherman, a Brooklyn-based architect, has come up with perhaps the ultimate leather cabinet pull. Cost? Nothing more than an old belt and a couple of screws. Here's his story:

"You can see it's just cut from an old belt of mine, the edges darkened with shoe polish, and fastened with Sheetrock screws. I needed a handle that would collapse flat when the cabinet door opens 180 degrees against the chalkboard wall. Aesthetically, I wanted something inconspicuous, since the door was meant to look like a continuation of the chalkboard wall. And the handle had to be sturdy and comfortable; the door is big and heavy and hides my jam-packed pantry, so I open it a dozen times a day. On all fronts, the handle's been a great success."

N.B.: See more of Jeff's work at Delson or Sherman Architects; for a video tour of his Brooklyn abode, go to Dwell.

Above: "I used an X-Acto knife to cut the belt to the right size," Jeff says.

Above: The edges are finished with shoe polish.

The Draper's Arms is that laid-back neighborhood gastropub that you wish was down the street from where you live. Well if you happen to live in London's residential district of Islington, you're in luck.

The pub is housed in an 1830s Georgian building in the north end of Lonsdale Square; the building was renovated from its neglected state back in 2001. A few years into business, The Draper's Arms was taken up by Ben Maschler (he's the son of restaurant critic Fay Maschler and formerly worked at Soho House) and partner Nick Gibson. The duo teamed up with head chef Karl Goward, who added unexpected off-cuts to the menu and earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2010.

The space includes into a downstairs pub and a more formal dining room upstairs, where the restaurateurs host events such as the local Beer & Cider Festival, Movember, and the upcoming St. George's Day (Welsh Elwy lamb and laverbread included). For more information, visit The Draper's Arms.

Above: A minty dining room with gold accents and dark bentwood chairs.

Above: The Draper's Arms, at 44 Barnsbury Street in Islington, is the perfect spot for enjoying a sip and a paper.

Above: The downstairs is accented with a bright kelly green bar and modern globe pendant lights. Photograph via London Chow.

Above: Beetroot, barley risotto, and crème fraîche. Photograph via Jelly Good Food.

Above: The upstairs dining room, empty before the diners arrive. Photograph via Jelly Good Food.

N.B.: Looking for more restaurants in London? See 116 other places to visit in our London City Guide.

Johnny Depp is a fan—and so are we. A true hatter is hard to come by these days, so when Graham Thompson was offered the chance to take over a hat shop owned by a master hatter on the south side of Chicago, he jumped on the opportunity to revive an almost dying art.

I first learned about the Chicago-based Optimo Hat shop from my husband, who would pass by the store daily on his way to work every morning. Its slogan, "Life's better in a great hat," piqued his interest, and one day he made time to pay a visit. That same night, he was ready to sell some of his books (which means the world to him) for a topper—or what he called "a fine piece of hat".

Optimo Hats received its new name in 1995 (with Thompson at the helm) and has since been the go-to hat shop for both movie stars and locals. Optimo will custom make one of their hat options for you after a precise fitting and consultation. Interestingly enough, it's all about the ribbon: its width, texture, and color can transform a hat's character.

Here is a one-minute video of Optimo – one of the last remaining traditional hat shops in the world.

Photography by Xssy via Flickr (except where noted).

Above: Owner Graham Thompson in his shop holding a felt hat. (Photo by American Craftmans Project).

Above: Hats on display for clients to see, feel, and try.

Above: An Optimo Montecristi Panama (originally made in Eduador). The finest Panama hats have 2,000 or more weaves per square inch and it takes about six months to make. (Photo by Optimo.)

Above: The Milan, an all-time classic straw hat. (Photo by American Craftsman Project).

Above: The Felt hats are made from wild furs and come in several colors and ribbon options.

Above: A Singer sewing machine at work while making a hat for a lucky customer.

Above: Molds, ribbon, and machinery are all part of the hat production.

Above: A chalkboard is used to display the different hat options, services, and prices.

NB: Looking for more Chicago sites? Check out our Chicago city guide.

What can we say? Craftspeople are crafty. In this tiny work studio (first spotted on Design Sponge), a woodworker/metalworker/jack-of-all-trades makes clever use of stock materials to create a photographer's studio.

David Clark, owner of Austin-based woodworking studio Kartwheel, designed and built this 350-square-foot work studio in Austin's Travis Heights neighborhood. Located at the back of a residence, the studio was created for a photographer who needed a darkroom and extra usable space for ad hoc needs and overnight guests. Kartwheel built the project from start to finish, hiring subcontractors only for plumbing, concrete, and electrical.

N.B. Clark added a range of custom wood shelving and display pieces to one of our favorite Austin stores, Spartan. He is also soon launching a furniture line with both stock and custom options. For more information, visit Kartwheel.

Photography by Alexandra Valenti.

Above: The staircase is tied to a simple pulley system that allows the stair to be lifted out of the way when not needed.

Above: The main open space is lit from ample windows and a skylight overhead.

Above: To serve as hanging pegs for hand towels, Clark installed handles off of old woodworking tools. The sink is a basic porcelain model from Ikea, and strips of reclaimed barnwood siding serve as simple shelves.

Above: A wood feature wall in the bathroom is made of reclaimed long leaf pine sealed with oil. Note the window, the same used throughout the rest of the studio: It's a basic Anderson window, with the window pull painted black. A creative, affordable way to put a spin on an off-the-shelf product.

Above: Though darkrooms don't need to be stylish, this one is simple, functional, and beautiful.

Above: Clark designed and fabricated the bedroom railing from milled steel. A Mexican serape blanket adds the only shot of color into the space.

Above: A handmade corner shelf with drawer makes good use of limited space.

Above: In the lofted bedroom, Clark used simple beadboard—installed vertically and horizontally—-to offset the bedroom from the rest of the space.

Above: The stair weights are old window weights, fastened together via climbing rope and carabiners. (Clark was inspired by old mountain climbing videos during this project.)

Above: Most of the small building is covered in cypress siding with a semitransparent cypress oil.

Above: The rear of the studio is clad in aluminum siding.

Looking for more inspiration? See 181 images of work studios in our gallery of rooms and spaces.

Will Brown and Marie Willey run a decidedly old-fashioned clothing business, yet seem to be unwittingly ahead of the curve.

When Brown, a fashion industry veteran, and Willey, a stylist, decamped from London to Norfolk 20 years ago ("to take a break from fashion"), the couple opened up a shop selling enamelware, twine, Welsh blankets, and the like. But the enthusiasm for retro housewares hadn't yet caught on, so the couple went back to clothes, and Old Town, their line of classic British workwear, was born. The couple operate out of a tiny workshop in Holt above their store, producing clothes that feature a subtle utilitarian charm. Willey attributes Brown's good sense and his blissful ignorance of fashion trends to their success: "Dull clothes stand out."

Willey says that The Red Lion, Saint James (just off Pall Mall) "is a brilliant pub". The old fashioned London pub serves as the backdrop for Old Town's clothing featured below in their PIccadilly Pleasures slideshow; do play the soundtrack for the full pub experience. For more on the clothing go to Old Town.

Photography by Matt Hind.

Above: Mr Appleton wearing Old Town's latest addition to their collection: the new short double breasted jacket.

Above: While most of the clothing is sold through the Old Town shop, a few select pieces are available at Labour and Wait in London.

Above: Ladies Shirt from £70.

Above: Bib Apron in cotton canvas: £36.

Above: Each piece of clothing is made to order in limited batches and comes wrapped in brown paper in a custom Old Town box.

Above: The Tradesmen in cotton drill; £185.

Above: The lapels and cut help set Old Town's jackets apart. Several options are available; we like the notes on the Marshalsea: "A little bit of late Victoriana. Sherlock Holmes might have worn such a coat with a low crowned bowler and muffler to sneak into Walter Sickert’s painting ‘The gallery of the Old Bedford’."

Read more of our Style Counsel posts.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on March 9, 2012.

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Most of us have to get to know the temperaments of our ovens and cooktops (Which rack level offers the most even heat? On which burner do I have to position the pot to the right? How many times do I have to rotate a baking tray for evenly done cookies?).

Imagine not having to work around these quirks. Cooking consistency is just what KitchenAid has created with Even-Heat™ Technology in a collection of ovens, ranges and cooktops.

Above: The 30-inch Architect Series II Freestanding Gas Range (KGRS308BSS) also features die-cast stainless steel knobs and stainless steel cooktop.

Above: How does Even-Heat™ work in KitchenAid's ovens? It is a true convection system that combines a bow-tie shaped baffle with a convection fan and element that thoroughly circulates heated air around all three racks to provide the most even baking. The oven also initially heats to above the set temperature to ensure that the entire cavity, including the walls and racks, are heated to the right temperature.

Above: The KitchenAid Architect Series II 30-inch Wall Oven (KEBS209BSS) with Even-Heat™ Technology offers the largest capacity available (5.0 cubic feet) among major brands and features an oversized viewing window. Available in black, white, and stainless steel (as shown); $3,049 to $3,349 depending on finish.

Above: Constantly guessing on temperature and time adjustments when using the convection feature of your oven? The KitchenAid Architect Series II 30-inch Wall Oven (KEBS209BSS) offers a feature that automatically adjusts traditional cooking times to convection times.

Above: The latest Architect Series II collection of KitchenAid electric, gas, and induction cooktops offers the Even-Heat™ Technology under your pots and pans. The burners are designed to spread heat uniformly across the surface. The KitchenAid Architect II 36-inch Electric Cooktop (KECC667BSS) with touch-activated controls (knobs are also available) is offered in stainless steel (shown) and black; $1,349 to $1,449 depending on finish. Four burner, 30-inch models are also offered.

Above: Finally, an electric burner that offers the performance and control similar to that of a gas burner. Designed to evenly spread heat across the entire element and prevent the hot and cold spots that can cause burning and inconsistent heating, KitchenAid's electric burners use two sets of elements to create even heat distribution.

Above: KitchenAid has also introduced gas and electric ranges that include Even-Heat™ Technology and the largest oven capacities available (6.2 cubic feet on electric models, and 5.8 cubic feet on gas models). The compact 30-inch Architect Series II Freestanding Gas Range (KGRS308BSS) offers five burners, an Even-Heat™ True Convection oven, and a convenient warming drawer with slow cooking capabilities; $1,849 in a stainless steel finish.

See what Even-Heat™ Technology can do for you.

An architect copes with climate change by applying his personal version of form follows function to his own wardrobe.

When I first met my husband, Bill, at architecture school, I immediately clocked that this was a man who was unafraid to accessorize (he was wearing a belt of questionable coloration). Over the years, as Bill, now an architect based in the New York offices of AECOM, grew taller than his hair, I witnessed an emerging maturity in his sartorial taste.

Because he travels extensively for his job (master planning for various Olympics' sites, including Rio), Bill copes with the diverse weather conditions he encounters—from rainy London to the hot sunny climes of South America—with one critical accessory, the hat, which all too conveniently compensates for his lack of natural top cover.

Photography by Kristin Perers for Remodelista.

Above: Reading the paper before work, Bill in his favorite Wide Pin Stripe Suit from Savile Row tailor Gieves and Hawkes, Double Happiness Scarf from Shanghai Tang, and a wool felt Classic Fedora from Barbara Feinman Millinery.

Above: Bill's collection includes hats made from a variety of materials, ranging from wool felt to straw.

Above: Bill's warm weather attire consists of a linen suit from Frank Stella Clothiers, a Cotton Scarf from Nom Living on Columbia Road in London, and a Darian Hat from Barbara Feinman Millinery.

Above: Bill sources most of his hats from either Barbara Feinmann Millinery in New York's East Village or the Titanic Boutique on the boardwalk of Venice Beach in Los Angeles.

Above: Ready to brave the rain and the tube: rain coat from Gieves & Hawkes and Bungo Messenger Bag from Knomo.

Above: Bill's favorite wool felt Classic Fedora is from Barbara Feinman Millinery.

The geometric trend continues with LA-based Brendan Ravenhill's Hex Desk Lamp; we think this design will endure.

For more from Brendan Ravenhill, take a look at our visit to his studio in Live/Work in Echo Park: A Designer at Home and our favorite dustbin of all time, also made by Ravenhill.

Above: The base of the lamp is a 1/4-inch steel plate with folded tabs on thee sides to sit flat.

Above: The lamp features a spot welded shade that pivots to provide light where needed and comes with a cloth cord.

Above: Available in a cool gray or bright white powder coated steel.

Above: The Hex Desk Lamp is $400 from Horne.

N.B.: Looking for more lighting? See 196 more Desk Lamps in our Shop section.

If you're going to call yourself Handsome Coffee, then you kind of have to deliver, right? Fortunately, they do. "They" being the three founders, Tyler Wells, Michael Phillips, and Chris Owens, who share some serious coffee credentials, including stints at Intelligentsia Coffee and a World Barista Championship to boot (that would be Phillips).

A year ago, Handsome Coffee Roasters opened shop in LA's Arts District, enlisting Woodsmithe, a local design/build studio headed by Nathanael Balon, to oversee the renovation of the former print shop. They opened up the space and kept the materials simple and industrial, using copper, iron, and concrete. The result is a renovated space that, much like their coffee, is pared down to the basic elements, no frills—just simple good taste. For more, go to Handsome Coffee.

Above (L to R): Michael Phillips (World Barista Champion), Tyler Wells, and Chris Owens. Photograph via Food GPS.

Above: The tables and stools are made from white oak; copper piping is used for shelving. Photograph by Elizabeth Daniels.

Above: Gooseneck industrial lighting in the hallway with a wall of maple tiles.

Above: Balon came up with the idea of using maple wood in lieu of subway tiles on the wall. He cut the wood in subway tile dimensions and glued them to the Sheetrock; then laser etched some of the Handsome graphics onto several tiles for decoration. Photograph via the Los Angeles Times.

Above: The copper-clad ceiling of the cafe with windows onto the roastery with Belgian roaster. (I happened to be there the day it arrived and witnessed a bevy of grown men beyond excited as they ripped apart the wooden shipping container.)

Above: It's all about the coffee at Handsome: no sugar, no decaf, no wi-fi.

Above: A typical day in LA; bench seating offers coffee imbibers a chance to linger.

Above: The way they roll.

For more of our LA finds, check out our City Guide.

The Clinton Hill Cooperative Apartments are a secret architectural gem, designed in the 1930s by Wallace K. Harrison (his oeuvre includes the Time-Life Building at Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall). My photographer friend Susanna Howe lives there, and describes her apartment "as a classic prewar apartment with the views of a Brooklyn brownstone."

"At leafy green tree level, our views are filled with a beautiful church, church yard, brownstones and mansions, plus the green globes of the subway station." Her interior palette of gray, green, black, and white echoes the views outside, and a mix of simple midcentury and vintage pieces animates the space. See more at Clinton Avenue Dream.

Above: A Case Study Sectional Daybed from Modernica delineates the living room from the entryway; the rug is from West Elm and a pair of lamps with gray shades are from CB2. The entry wall is painted in Alley Cat from Olympic.

Above: A vintage Saarinen side chair sits under a photograph by Katherine Wolkoff.

Above: A view of the classic prewar layout from the entryway.

Above: Corner windows flood the apartment with light. The table is a marble topped Saarinen with vintage black caned chairs. Susanna customized a Pottery Barn chandelier with black shades that she painted gold on the inside to add a touch of glamour.

Above: The kitchen is pure Ikea: cabinets, counter tops, and glass globe lights Ikea

Above: The upholstered headboard from Garnet Hill and the side table with sliding doors is from Urban Outfitters.

Above: A vintage sofa and dresser, plus custom blackout shades.

Above: A sitting area in the baby's room.

Above: A crib from Ikea and a striped rug from Layla Brooklyn in the nursery.

Above: The bath includes original tile work in black, gray, and white; Susanna added the black toilet seat.

Above: A room with a view: the "brownstone view" of a church across the street.

Apparel industry alums Todd Barket and Carl Chiara have racked up over 30 years of experience in men's retail (Barket was creative director for the Gap and Chiara was concept director at Levi's), so it was almost inevitable that they would open a store.

Barket took the plunge in 2009, when he opened the doors to Unionmade on Sanchez Street in San Francisco. The store quickly gathered a cult following, so much so that shortly thereafter he enlisted his partner, Chiara, to help run the burgeoning business. Focused on well-made classic goods, Unionmade offers casual, back-to-basics menswear featuring iconic brands such as Filson, Alden, Woolrich, and Barbour with a liberal mix of the likes of Billy Kirk, Golden Bear, Kapital, and Beams.

We asked Barket to share a few of his sartorial insights; read on to learn his secrets (including his method for washing jeans).

Photography by Mimi Giboin for Remodelista, except where noted.

Above: Barket outside his Sanchez Street outpost. Photo via Urban Paddle.

Remodelista: What's your go-to every day jacket?
Todd Barket: An unconstructed indigo blazer from 45 RPM in Japan.

RM: What do you look for in a pair of jeans?
TB: I look for a good fit and an unwashed rigid denim. I wear the 1947 501. I think it's the most classic and looks great on everyone. We sell them at the store and I have worn them for the last 10 years. I tend to get a new pair every year and wear them until they start to fall apart.

RM: On your feet right now?
TB: I have a pair of Alden Leisure Loafers on. They are one of the most comfortable shoes I own. You can dress them up or down and they always look great.

RM: Advice for caring for jeans?
TB: I wash them every few months by filling a bathtub with warm water and soaking them. Then I air dry them.

RM: Latest finds for Unionmade?
TB: We just got back from a buying trip to Paris and NYC for fall; we are most excited about the line Officine Generale. It's designed by Pierre Maheo in Paris. The styling is effortless and his fabrications are next level. Very luxurious. We will have the line for spring and we love the way it evolves for fall.

Above: Unionmade's Marin County Mart Store features a polished concrete floor and a wood-clad ceiling.

Above: In addition to clothing, Unionmade stores feature a selection of lifestyle goods, such as the Tivoli radio shown above.

Above: Unionmade carries a selection of books on subjects ranging from design to cooking as well as a selection of hard-to-find magazines.

Above: Shoe offerings at Unionmade.

Above: Golden Bear for Unionmade jackets on display matched with Gitman Vintage shirts and a mix of Levis and Unis chinos at the Unionmade outpost in Larkspur.

Above: A range of leather accessories displayed on ceramic platters from Heath. Chiara and Barket have merchandising down to a science and understand the art of good display.

Above: A pair of 1947 501 Levi's Vintage Clothing; $275 from Unionmade.

For more, visit Unionmade (there are two more outposts, one at Brentwood Country Mart in Santa Monica and the other at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur). Women's offerings can be found at their latest venture, Mill Mercantile. Read more of our Style Counsel posts.

Visit the Comstock Saloon on a rainy night: start with a walk up Montgomery Street to San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood (past the oxidized copper Coppola building). Turn the corner and follow the sign of an oversized hand pointing to "Saloon" and "Cocktails."

When you walk into The Comstock, you'll enter a dimly lit room clad in French blue wallpaper and a polished mahogany bar. With a band playing in the eaves (in a small loft above the dining area), menus bound in soft black leather, and antique fans turning slowly overhead, you might get the feeling of dining in an earlier era. That's because The Comstock is named after prospector Henry Comstock and the Comstock Lode (the discovery that brought mining fortunes to the Bay Area). Also, the saloon occupies the building of the San Francisco Brewing Company, the first bar established in the city in 1861.

Formerly of Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, bartenders Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Raglin (who has a look straight out of There Will Be Blood) have partnered with Chef, or "grub slinger," Carlo Espinas of Piccino Cafe to offer a mix of classic cocktails (from the Sazerac to the Blood & Sand) and turn-of-the-century saloon fare. From the bar to the dining area, The Absinthe Group has designed a space with antiques and historical elements that pay tribute to San Francisco's Barbary Coast. For more information, visit The Comstock Saloon.

Photography by Liza Gershman for The Comstock Saloon (unless otherwise noted).

Above: Silver-toned serving ware and wine glasses on an antique wooden buffet.

Above: Bartender Jonny Raglin sips a Negroni in the dining room (L).

Above: Photograph via ZZ Eats.

Above: The saloon's more formal dining room is located just around the back.

Above: Ceiling fan light fixtures (L) and the warm mahogany bar (R).

Above: The Comstock Saloon is located at 155 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. Photograph via Salon Benjamin.

N.B.: Looking for more places to drink and dine in the area? See our San Francisco City Guide for 26 more restaurants.

We first came across Antonio Centeno (author of the Real Men Real Style blog and founder of A Tailored Suit) on The Art of Manliness, where he dispenses advice on dress and grooming.

Centeno's mission is to change the mindset of men on how they present themselves to the world. As he points out: "We all recall Steve Jobs' uniform of black turtleneck, New Balance running shoes, and jeans. He had a uniform." Centeno, who is partial to a suit, encourages men to "find their own uniform, control and know what message to send, then do it with confidence." (Zuckerberg, he notes, is short on message.)

Part of Centeno's male mindset change includes the maintenance of a well kept wardrobe. He points out, "It's not just part of good grooming, it also saves money in the long term."

Here are his 10 essentials for maintaining the male wardrobe. Women take note, these rules apply to you, too.

Above: A clothing rack via Pinterest.

Above: The Pocket Clothes Brush; £5 from Objects of Use. Amazon offers the Kent Handcrafted Clothes Brush for $49.90.

1. Brushes. Invest in some good clothes brushes. Every day, particles of food and dirt get lodged in our clothing; over time, they build up and starts degrading the fabric. Brush a suit or jacket after wearing to dislodge anything that may have caught in the fine particles of fabric. Every day maintenance is key to helping clothes last longer.

2. Spot dry stains. Americans tend to over wash their clothes. Notice a mark on your jacket? Spot clean at home as opposed to sending it to the dry cleaners. Each garment has a set lifespan and dry cleaning unnecessarily shortens the life of a suit. The less you subject clothing to dry cleaning. the longer your garments will last.

Above: A Remodelista favorite, the Merchant & Mills Sewing Kit for £44.

3. Know how to use a needle and thread. People tend to pull at stray threads. Resist! Think of a piece of clothing as one long thread; if you pull on it, you could be tearing the whole garment apart. Learn how to sew on a button and to close off a loose thread and this will lengthen the life of your clothes. Of course you can take it to the dry cleaners but being able to do it yourself will make it easier. See his instructions on How to Sew on a Button featured in the Art of Manliness.

4. Pressing and Ironing. Most people get this wrong as they set the temperatures too high (which can damage clothing). Start at a low temperature, then go higher with cotton. As for wool, always use a layer of cotton and never let the iron touch the wool (also, always make sure the base of the iron is clean). Centeno is a big fan of the steam function and recommends using where possible. He favors old school classic irons with a lot of weight, or anything by Black & Decker such as the Classic Iron for $29.99.

Above: The Deluxe Round Dauber by La Cordonnerie Anglaise for applying polish creams: $9 each from the Hanger Project.

5. Polish shoes. Many people think polish is for making shoes shine, but it's really to condition and protect them from the elements. It really helps the life of a shoe to do this regularly. Centeno is partial to a beeswax polish and also recommends reading Kirby Allison's Hanger Project for detailed advice on shoe care and products.

Above: Cedar Shoe Trees; $25 from Kaufmann Mercantile.

6. Shoe Trees. These should be mandatory with shoe purchase. When you remove a pair of shoes, the shoe trees serve to absorb the moisture from the leather and soles and maintain the shape of the shoe that typically will be lost over years of wear without proper maintenance.

Above:The Luxury Wooden Sweater and Polo Hanger. Set of five for $75 or single hanger for $15 from the Hanger Project.

7. Hangers. Good thick wooden hangers are a great investment as they maintain the shape of shoulder. If you don't have the funds, use three or four cheap hangers bunched together. Alternatively, attach foam on the edges of the hangers.

8. Hanging clothes. Keep an inch between each piece of clothing hanging in a wardrobe to let your garments breathe. Clothing that has been worn all day should be hung and aired out before being returned to the wardrobe.

9. Combating Moths. In spring, when you plan on storing your woolens, wash them first in Woolite, then place in a sealed plastic bin. If you notice or suspect your woolens are moth infested, send them to the dry cleaners and have them cleaned. When you get them back, place in a plastic box sealing any ventilation holes. Vacuum where the clothing has been kept to get rid of any possible eggs, then clean the area with an anti-bacterial spray.

10. Wardrobe organization. Only hang and shelve clothes you need and use. Put any clothing that has not been worn for a year into a box, seal and date it. If you have not opened the box a year later, then you don't need those clothes.

Centeno speaks from experience. He and his wife live in a 110-year-old Victorian house that has only one small closet, which they share. His secret to dressing well? An interchangeable wardrobe. As he points out, you don't need a lot of clothing, just the ability to interchange pieces.

Have any great tips or suggestions on wardrobe maintenance? Please let us know in the comments below.

See more of our Clothing Storage solutions.

Last week we raided the closets of some of our favorite haberdashers; this coming week we'll be on the mountains, visiting ski cabins and rounding up fondue pots. Join us!

• In the closet with Jesse Tyler Ferguson (of Modern Family) and Justin Mikita (lawyer and cofounder of Tie the Knot).

• Christine was checking out Ten Houses to Ring-in Spring.

• Remodelista's SF-based associate editor, Alexa Hotz, reveals her favorite room of 2012 in Elle Decor. Hint: Athena Calderone sourced her chandelier here.

• Sibella Court's 10 Favorite Things, including her newest soap line featuring scents like Almalfi (L) and Kurokawa (R).

• Remodelista's NYC contributing editor, Francesca Connolly, at home in Brooklyn Heights, in Elle Decor this month, photographed by William Waldron.

• Julie is inspired to try this DIY lighting project.

• Guess how much this emerald green sconce costs?

• Just when we thought we had seen enough lifestyle magazines, Sarah picked up this new one at Unionmade.

• Checking out these Easy Valentine's Day DIYs with paper—and thinking about paper wreaths blotted with India ink from Tail of the Yak.

• Admiring the rainwater collection set up at Anne Suttles and Sam Shah's home in Austin.

• A $30M Bedford Hills estate with a "Gypsy Wagon" (once used as teahouse) included.

• Spotted on Gear Patrol, Where Chefs Eat.

Meanwhile, over at Gardenista, Michelle is obsessing about her camellias:

* While Michelle is raiding her garden, this weekend the American Camellia Society is holding its annual convention in Napa Valley; the camellia show is open to the public from 1 pm to 4:30 Saturday. For more information, see American Camellia Society National Convention. The society has named Southern landscape designer James Farmer its national spokesman.

* Spun sugar, garden edition, spotted via Garden Design. Frost flowers form in the early morning after sap expands and creates cracks in a stem. Water seeps through, then freezes in the air, creating a cotton candy effect.

Over the last 20 years, New York-based firm Platt Dana Architecture has developed a reputation for transforming traditional buildings and apartments into spaces oriented around contemporary family living. This week, Kate Platt and Hope Dana talk to us specifically about their update of a classic, prewar eight-room apartment for a busy family of five on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The most satisfying architecture delivers elegant design solutions without ever appearing as if it’s tried too hard. Trading space and light as currency, Platt Dana Architecture (members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory) are well practiced at "robbing Peter to pay Paul" in the floor plans of their clients’ apartments, ensuring that the flow of rooms addresses the way they live. In this classic eight, a family room was gained through the loss of a bedroom (in turn, a small office behind the kitchen was converted into a guest bedroom), while the kitchen was made bigger by acquiring the space from the adjacent study. Borrowed light flows freely through the enlarged openings among the entry foyer, kitchen, living room, and newly positioned dining room, creating an overall generous sense of open and free-flowing space. And finally, by filling every available nook and cranny with well-designed, efficient storage, the architects manage to squeeze out even more precious space; leaving their clients with a healthy "space" account in the black.

Photography by Ty Cole.

Above: Glass mosaic tiles from Cheryl Hazan Mosaic set a calm tone in a busy kitchen. Stainless steel counters sit above white kitchen units from Bulthaup while a Calacatta Marble countertop is used for the kitchen island.

Above: By acquiring space from the adjacent study, the kitchen gained a window and light as well as space. A pendant light by Niche Modern hangs above an Eero Saarinen table surrounded by Norman Cherner chairs.

Above: A view from the kitchen of the family room, which was previously a bedroom. The cabinets, custom designed by Platt Dana, house the television and centralized sound system and are horizontal grain oak with a white stain.

Above: A muted palette of grays, selected by interior designer Debra Notis, works well with the Korean landscape paintings that represent the four seasons and presented to the client by her parents as a wedding present. An Arctic Pear chandelier from Ochre hangs above the dining table and chairs from B&B Italia. The living room sofa is also from B&B Italia while the textured side table is from Oly.

Above: For the musical family, the piano occupies an important corner of the living room in front of a wall of custom built bookshelves and storage.

Above: The two boys in the family share a room; made feasible through the custom-built storage and desk system, which is mirrored on the other half of the wall.

Above: In the master bedroom, a built-in desk system fits into the window alcove. "Our client hates clutter, and so we designed a desk where most of the countertop opens and reveals hidden storage for makeup and jewelry as well as electrical outlets for charging iPhones and a hair dryer," says Dana.

Above: A mosaic tile installation by Cheryl Hazan brings blossoms in to the bathroom shower.

Above: The kitchen before Platt Dana incorporated the space and window from the study next door.

Above: The previous dining room was next to the kitchen and has now been converted into a family room.

Above: A view of one of the bedrooms before the Platt Dana renovation.

Above: A comparison of the existing and revised floor plans illustrate Platt Dana's skill in updating a floor plan for modern family living. The updated floor plan has a stronger diagrammatic clarity between public and private space and as a result, the public spaces have a more coherent relationship with enhanced flow between the spaces. A new family room is adjacent to the kitchen while the dining room has been repositioned to sit directly across the kitchen via the entry foyer. The kitchen has gained space and light by acquiring both from the adjacent study, and the office tucked in the back has been turned into a guest bedroom. A laundry room and additional storage have been carved out of the family room and their location in the hall makes them easily accessible.

N.B.: Useful and efficient storage has unlimited value in our modern culture of accumulation. See 420 images of Cabinets in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

If the magical wardrobe from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were to go modern, it might look something like this holiday retreat in the Italian alpine village of Madesimo.

While alpine conditions are conducive to small and cozy living, Italian architect Enrico Scaramellini's insertion of a finely crafted, narrow wooden box (380 square feet) between two existing farm buildings is so small and cozy, one could mistakenly think they had walked into a wardrobe. And with the omnipresent wintry landscape, who knows? This could be Narnia.

Photography by Marcello Mariana via This Is Paper.

Above: A view out into the wintry alpine landscape.

Above: Scaramellini uses silver-gray paints to echo the existing aged and weathered wood of the surrounding rural buildings.

Above: The natural tones of the wood warm up the interior.

Above: The scale and material of the wood-lined bedroom is similar to the inside of a cedar closet.

Above: Scaramellini uses the vertical and horizontal grains of the wood to create abstract geometrical compositions.

Above: The wooden panels in their closed position.

Above: The wooden panels offer different levels of transparency.

Above: The wooden panels open in the morning (L) and return to their closed position in the early evening (R).

Above: A plan of the ground and first floors illustrating the narrow insertion.

N.B.: Warm and cozy on your mind? See 17 back posts of Alpine Living.

Noticed lately: a (welcome) trend toward well-priced lighting fixtures. Here are 10 glamorous pendant lights we'd gladly use (if we've something good, let us know in the comments section).

Above: Brass Shade Pendant Lamp with black cloth-covered cord with white ceiling canopy; $75 from One Forty Three.

Above: Glass Jar Pendant Lights; $99 each at West Elm.

Above: Triple-Tiered Brass Pendant Light; $64 from Urban Outfitters.

Above: Lens Glass Shade ($29) plus Copper Cord Set ($39); both from West Elm.

Above: The Silvia Large Pendant Lamp features a polished brass interior; $199 at Crate & Barrel.

Above: Chelsea Pendant Light by Robert Sonneman; $150 from YLighting.

Above: Schoolhouse Electric offers a range of well-priced Pendant Lights; prices start at $99.

Above: Admired in the dining room at the Marche St. Georges, the Mercury Glass Lafitte Pendant from Jamie Young is $207 for the large size from YLighting.

Above: PB Classic Pendant Springfield; $149 at Pottery Barn.

See all our Pendant Lights Picks in our Shop section.

Wayward, an emporium of vintage haberdashery on England's south coast, is run by Andrew Hirst, who has been selling antiques "forever." He used to be in the habit of buying the entire contents of defunct shops and selling them on as a job lot. One day he bought a huge pile of ribbons but couldn't sell them. He'd spent all his money on them and found himself in a Jack and the Beanstalk situation. By sorting through the pile and selling ribbon by the meter, he had something which people did want: The Wayward shop is in St Leonards-on-Sea and Hirst can also be found at Portobello Market (100 yards past the flyover) on Fridays.

Photographs by Andrew Hirst.

Above: Spools of gold and silver bullion thread for embroidery. Also excellent for threading through tree decorations, in our experience.

Above: For recreating an old haberdasher's shop or decking out film and stage sets, Andrew Hirst is the man to see.

Above: Andrew says that when he puts things together "they can look very pretty" but other times the effect is of a junk shop. He is a firm believer in breadth of choice.

Above: Bolts, ribbons and boxes, collated with Andrew's eye for color.

Above: Metallic trims are a specialty, traditionally used for the military and in couture.

Above: The John Lewis haberdashery department is good but not this good.

Above: Elegance is in the eye of the beholder.

Above: There is no shortage of antique linens to be had at Wayward, which is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Above: The proprietor is in. Andrew Hirst's vintage Alvis car outside the shop in St Leonards-on-Sea, next to Hastings.

Winter has us thinking about the warmth of fur hides and sheepskin, so we were excited to share UK designer Ilse Crawford's fur-covered update of a classic: the Alvar Aalto's Armchair 400.

In February a few years back, Artek launched their Dress the Chair! campaign as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. The company asked a selection of designers to render classic Artek pieces in their vision; Crawford was the first to have a go at the Armchair 400 (nicknamed "The Tank") by rendering it in a softer reindeer skin upholstery. We could see Crawford's design inspiring a great DIY project (see sources below); for more information on the event, visit Artek.

Above: Photograph of Ilse Crawford by David Lunberg for Artek.

Above: The Armchair 400 with a natural lacquered birch frame.

Above: Source a Reindeer Skin for $199 from Bearskin Rugs. Pictured above is Toast's Reindeer Hide, sold every winter, which comes from sustainably managed herds in Lapland by indigenous Sami people; £145 at Toast.

N.B.: Looking for for fur to mimic this look? See our post: Design Sleuth: Sheepskin and Fur Throws or more posts on soft furnishings like Fabrics & Linens in our archives.