For many of my clients, the dream closet is one that feels like shopping in their favorite boutique. They want the look and feel of a high-end fashion-inspired space, where all their pieces are put properly on display, and with ample space to lounge and enjoy! For this reason, we are constantly looking to retail spaces for inspiration to bring into the closet! Sometimes this comes in the form of a hanger or custom wall hook, maybe even a lighting detail. However, this is MOST commonly the direction when it comes to the final finishes, furniture and accessories!

Clients want to walk into the space, and recreate the experience of their favorite designer spaces — after all, high end fashion houses design their retail spaces specifically to complement their collections and brand identity! So for any true fashion collector, what better place to start?!

Perhaps the most common inspiration clients look to is CHANEL. This should be no surprise, as the brand has long set the standard for chic sophistication and understated luxury. Chanel’s pieces are highly sought-after and collectible, and many of our clients have personal collections of vintage and modern pieces that they love to showcase in their dressing rooms.

Chanel’s retail spaces are timeless, tasteful, and effortless, and they set the precedent for the true intersection of fashion and interiors. This might have something to do with their origins — Robert Goossens, Chanel’s personal jeweler, was brought on to design all of her homes and original boutiques. Arguably his attention to detail as a luxury craftsman and personal familiarity with the brand played a huge role in the design style their boutiques adopted which continues to this day. Today, his company belongs to Chanel, and continues to design their interiors. Additionally, they create stunning brass accessories and trinkets which are an absolute necessity in a Chanel-lovers home.

Custom fabrics play a huge part in Chanel’s collections every season, whether a textured tweed or a beaded lace. The same is true for their boutiques — often you’ll find custom furniture pieces finished in Chanel fabrics, and plush carpeting from wall to wall. The fabrics and flooring you choose for your space are crucial for anyone looking to bring home this look in her own space! If you’re looking to go straight to the source, The Invisible Collection offers custom carpets and fabrics, and represents the very atelier who outfits the boutiques today!

Textured wall treatments are another Chanel staple. Complementing the clothing, these textures are never too busy, but just enough to keep the eye moving around the room, and add a another layer of soft warmth to the room.

Finally, you can’t create a Chanel-inspired closet without the brand’s signature black accents. This is the brand that does a black dress better than anyone else, and a nod to the designer’s own legendary personal style can be seen in almost every high-contrast interior they create! This can be in the form of a subtle metal trim or a full high-gloss black painted ceiling. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to add a little contrast to your closet — you can even start small, with some simple black hangers!

If you’re looking to bring this look home for yourself, we’ve pulled together a few of our current favorite furnishings that will definitely help you in the pursuit of your dream designer boutique!