March 2010

Is the umltimate walk-in a girl's new BFF?

Why is it that wardrobes in apartments so grossly under cater for the individuals who live in them?

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With respect to developers and architects alike, I cannot understand how one believes that two and a half meters of hanging space and four shelves is going to cut it. In the master bedroom. Seriously people, I don't know a man that could comfortably fit his garments within this space let alone a couple.

Last year I moved into a modern liberally spacious apartment on the river, with a generous price tag to match, only to discover that all that was provided in the master bedroom was 3 meters of hanging space. Excellent. That takes care of the long gowns, trench coats and mid-length jackets - where the heck is the rest going to go? What about the shoes?

Having renovated and sold many houses over the years I am accustomed to updating wardrobes and walk-ins to my own specifications but luxury apartments are a little trickier when considering space for expansion.

Given Gen X and Y generally don't own freestanding wardrobes or chests of draws to lug around with them from home to home, I have to wonder whether the robe space provided is deliberated on at all or merely a token gesture at the cheapest possible outlay.

This is not unique to the complex I currently live in. Looking at larger apartments off the plan for future expansion (of my wardrobe) I am astounded at what is conceptualized for quite the Princely sum.

Tracey Gillinder

Given the intention in my current abode is not to stay forever and to update, live in and sell; I needed to ensure that a couple could realistically cohabitate in this space in the future, whilst being comfortable and organized in my surroundings until that point.

Fortunately for me there was alcove space in the room that could be taken over to build an additional 6 meters of hanging space, a bank of 8 draws with built in plasma screen and floor to ceiling shoe shelves. While I admit this is a little excessive for developer stock and the general population, it works for me. Something I consider a dream wardrobe.

You see, women have a picture in their mind of the ultimate wardrobe space, and then there is the wardrobe they actually have. Two very different models.

While diamonds are a girl's best friend if you aren't quite ready for that commitment, build her the walk-in gents.

Recent years have seen a niche market of DandC (design and construct) wardrobe and storage specialists become main-stream outside of the commercial market and are being utilized more by the general population than ever before. Understandable when the current economic climate points to renovation and upgrading trends on the existing family home in lieu of moving house.

General practice is to stock take your wardrobe and provide a list to the designer of exactly what you have and in what quantities, breaking it down into long hanging items, smaller hanging items that can be double hung, ties, belts and shoes. While this is unquestionably the best way to customize your own space, if the intention is to on-sell then others needs must also be considered.

No, I did not count my shoes. I merely told the nice man I had 'a lot.' I do not count my shoes. Ever. I am too scared to do so for fear of finally having to admit one day - enough is enough - and I'm not ready to have that conversation with myself just yet.

The reality is, most women probably won't have the same amount of shoes as I, but it'll be one heck of a selling point when they see floor to ceiling shoe accommodation!

Follow Tracey at diaryofashoeaddict.blogspot.com

Tracey Gillinder Writer w www.traceygillinder.com.au