Design Lesson

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Two closet designs: One for colour and one for black and white Author: Tracey Ayton

Design Lesson

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Designer and blogger Erica Cook styles her IKEA storage systems to look like high-end boutiques.


As a single mother of five boys, Erica Cook, the Calgary designer and blogger behind Moth Design, craved an orderly, feminine corner of the house that was all her own. So she transformed her bedroom’s two closets, designating one for colourful items and the other for black and white pieces. “It’s all about finding beauty in the mundane,” she explains. Here’s how Erica styled her IKEA storage systems to look like high-end boutiques.

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Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Full colour

Erica’s weekend wardrobe fills up the multi-hued closet. She sacrificed shelving in the middle to display her perfume and collection of framed shopping bags that represent special or significant purchases. “They’re like postcards to me,” she says.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Save the jewelry

Long necklaces won't get tangled when stored in separate bowls.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Centre stage

“When you place an item on a tray or a dish, it’s like giving the piece its own little stage,” says Erica of her artful vignettes.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

What a pop of colour

Bright orange boxes add pop to an eye-catching display.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Crisp and clean

“I didn’t want my belts rattling around on the back of a door, so I chose to roll them up instead,” says Erica.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Black & white

The second closet, which contains formal pieces, is a true reflection of Erica’s aesthetic. “I relish the high contrast of a black and white scheme,” she says. “Nearly my whole house is black and white!” Touches of lacquer and metal play up the glam factor.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Clear and organized

“Because acrylic is clear, it doesn’t feel like it’s taking up any space,” says Erica, who scooped up these boxes from a clothing store that was closing its doors.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

Put it on display

Save the closed storage for essentials and put sparkle on display.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

A long, dark platter

A long black porcelain tray is perfectly proportioned to hold Erica’s watches.

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs

A careful selection

Erica has specific criteria for the trays and bowls she chooses: "I like vessels that are feminine but crisp and can bounce around some light."

Image by: Style at Home By: Beth Hitchcock Source: Tracey Ayton

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Design Lesson

Closet makeover: 1 closet, 2 designs