Transforming a Room Using "The Everyday System" from California Closets
This summer is a great time to get all those home projects checked off your list.
I've been very busy during these last few months on my farm. In between all the phone calls, video conferences, media shoots, and remote appearances, I've tackled many organizing and home-improvement tasks - among them, transforming the apartment above my Carriage House where my friend and colleague, Kevin Sharkey, stays when he visits. For this project, I decided to use The Everyday System ™ from California Closets - the high-quality modular components I designed with the company. It was a perfect way to create a functional and elegant modular office space for the room. Once I selected the configuration, California Closets scheduled a professional installation using their new TouchLessService. The Everyday System is practical, stylish, and fits in with any room decor.
If you're thinking about redoing an area in your home this season, I encourage you to consider California Closets to help - just click on the highlighted links to learn more. I also decorated the unit with organizing products from my Office Collection at Staples. Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- This wall was the perfect space for the modular home office unit I wanted to create. It measures about 22 feet long and could accommodate a large piece with lots of shelves and drawers. The most important measurement to consider is the ceiling height – The Everyday System is 90 inches tall.
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- Considering the symmetrical lines of the wall and the measurements of the space, the California Closets design team and I came up with this great arrangement using their special CAD technology. California Closets offers virtual design consultations to design just the right configuration.
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- The next step was the installation. California Closets Master Installer, Brandon McWayne, came to the farm to put it all together. He came well prepared with his mask and gloves. These units can also be self-installed over a weekend.
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- The most time-consuming part of the process is laying out the guidelines for the pieces, so once assembled, the unit would be completely straight and level. Brandon places blue painter’s tape on the wall to mark where the pieces should be.
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- I selected the “Perry St. White Woodgrain with White Metal” finishes combination. All the pieces arrived at the farm, packaged neatly, and with all the necessary screws and bolts for assembly.
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- The detailed instructions make assembly very easy to do.
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- First, Brandon secures the brackets to the wall. These supports will keep the piece upright and well-anchored. These uprights sit one-inch away from the back wall to allow for baseboards, outlets, and uneven wall textures.
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- The metal wall-mounted uprights are now attached to the wall studs. Each one measures 20 inches deep by 87 inches high. And the window looking out onto the paddocks and landscape is not blocked one bit.
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- Brandon then starts installing the shelf supports. The shelves can be adjusted to fit specific needs. Here, he is placing them a little more than a foot apart.
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- The shelving and drawers are made of eco-friendly wood in bright white.
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- A desk surface fits right in the middle and under the window. I chose to create The Everyday System configuration to match my specific needs, but one can also shop their pre-configured system online. There are so many variations.
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- In a couple hours, Brandon has most of the shelving complete. The piece focuses on open shelving, so it looks clean and has an easily-accessible design for visibility as well as function.
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- Brandon opens another box to find all the drawer parts – labeled and well organized. Everything was designed to be simple and straightforward to install, reinstall, and adjust as storage needs change.
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- Brandon works in an assembly line fashion, placing all the pieces, out, then securing all the screws and then assembling the drawers. Doing it this way is faster and more efficient.
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- Brandon screws everything together. When assembling the unit, be sure to have a drill, a level, a tape measure, and a wrench on-hand – everything else is included.
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- And then Brandon moves on to installing the tracks for the drawers.
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- It does not take long before one section of drawers is completely installed. These drawers also include the popular soft-close feature.
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- Brandon completes final adjustments on this desk drawer before placing it into the unit. Shallow drawers keep all those small office supplies off the desktop.
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- My “Perry St. White Woodgrain with White Metal” finishes home office system features additional deep drawers and a spacious desk area. The file cabinets organize documents and supplies, while the shelves provide a place for books and personal items. Brandon ensures every drawer opens and closes just right.
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- Brandon constantly levels the piece to be sure it is perfectly straight. Checking and rechecking the level is the last phase of the process.
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- And here it is. These components can change, and improve everyday living. They feature a modern palette of wood and metal finishes that can fit in every home.
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- The Propriety Hidden Track System feature keeps holes on the inside. All one sees are clean, white lines.
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- And here it is outfitted with supplies from my Office Collection at Staples such as my magazine holders and storage boxes. (Photo by Stefan Radtke, @Stefan_Radtke)
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- This home office also has smart storage for all those technology gadgets including power sockets and USB ports so devices can be charged and on-hand. On this desk are my pen and pencil holders, and discbound notebook. (Photo by Stefan Radtke, @Stefan_Radtke)
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- This system has a place for everything. On this shelf, I have more document boxes and my Stack-and-Fit Inboxes.
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- These drawers can also be pulled out completely for easy access – no more digging blindly for files. (Photo by Stefan Radtke, @Stefan_Radtke)
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- On the other side of the room I topped the bed with my Skylar Chenille 3 Piece Comforter Set and my Emerson Quilt in gray from my Shop on Wayfair.
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- The Everyday System is modern, modular, and moveable – a great new way to store everything in your home. Please go online to check out The Everyday System now. And let me know what you think of the room transformation!
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