SueAnn Ochenas

MY ADVICE:

• Hate sorting laundry after the fact? Use a double hamper to sort your lights from your darks as you toss it in. Dry cleaning in a separate basket works well too!

• In my own closet, I prefer to sort my own wardrobe by type of clothing: my sleeveless shirts and camis, followed by short sleeve, ¾ sleeve, long sleeve and rounded up with boleros, jackets and cardigans.

• Door and drawer hardware makes all the difference. For a small cost, you can make a big impact. I have even had a client use hardware she hand painted herself!

“I have so enjoyed working with Closet Factory, and especially SueAnn. Our latest projects included a new wonderful closet for me and a stunning bookcase with file drawers for my husband. SueAnn was able to design a closet that met all my needs. Not only do I have access to all my clothes and accessories, the space is beautiful! My husband’s bookcase allows him to organize his papers, books and binders in an extremely useful and handsome space. Our installer Ron completed both projects in a timely fashion, was very professional and his work is superb!  SueAnn and Ron answered all my questions and quickly responded to any changes I wanted during the process.  I look forward to working with SueAnne, Ron and Closet Factory in the future.”

– Loretta Roman

MY FAQ’s:

 “How do you first approach a space? In other words, what’s the first thing you think about when you first see a client’s closet space/storage problem?”

When I approach a new space with a client for the first time, I am looking for what are the biggest headaches. In a closet, are their shoes all over the floor? In an office or nook, does it seem they want things neatly tucked away in drawers or behind doors, or are they a person who relates to “out of sight, out of mind” and forgets what they have. In any space, I try to take advantage of every square inch they have to improve the organization.

 “What is the biggest design obstacle you’ve overcome? i.e. awkwardly angled walls, electrical sockets in bizarre places, big collections in small spaces.”

Having worked for Closet Factory for over a decade, I have seen just about every design obstacle you can think of! I have worked with 13’ ceilings in a condo apartment small walk-in where we added triple hanging for offseason clothes. I have helped clients see the usable space in top floor rooms where the angled ceilings touch the floor by creating storage space behind our system for large boxes of holiday decorations and suitcases. And only a truly custom design can work around obstacles like windows, conduit, water heaters, radiators, support beams, and a host of others while utilizing the rest of the space well.

 “Since collaboration is such an integral part of the design process, how do you like to engage or connect with clients in order to help them realize their vision for a space?”

Open and honest communication between myself and a client is most important, especially when discussing how much you are willing to spend and what are your priorities to spend the budget on. YOU help guide me to where to go. And if you do not like something about a one of my designs, let’s talk about it! I usually have a couple different options in mind.

 “How are you inspired by a home’s existing décor? Is there anything specific that you look for during an in-home consultation?”

While a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom furniture can be inspiration for a new space, photos and inspiration pieces the client has pulled together are of greater value to me. I find those with traditional decor do like crown moulding, and decorative doors and drawers, while those with more contemporary tastes prefer large statement hardware and clean lines.

 “What are some ways a custom designed home office can improve productivity? In other words, how does the right type of home office help people do business?”

Today’s home office is generally multi-functional. Most homes have a computer dedicated to more than just work from home. Especially for families with school-age children, nothing is more disorganized than sweeping away piles of paper and references to make room for homework. A second work space, and one with flexibility to have more than one person around the computer, is a must!

 “What are some modern organizational trends, or what’s a trend you’re looking for?”

Trends today for organization seem to come from social media. Bloggers and vloggers have lots of ideas on different ways to organize. Some will work for most, and most will only work for some, but social media is a great place for inspiration on different ways to organize items in drawers.