All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
On the heels of the debut of her new book Martha Stewart’s Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home & Routines, doyenne of everyday living Martha Stewart is also now releasing the tools to make organization happen. The best-selling author, entrepreneur, and television host has partnered with high-end custom closets manufacturer California Closets to launch the Everyday System for Home Organization—the maker’s first modular storage solution.
Moments from Stewart’s everyday life inspired many features of the new collection, which launches today. The modular units come in two proprietary wood finishes—Perry St. White Woodgrain and Bedford Grey Woodgrain—inspired by Stewart’s homes in Manhattan’s West Village and Bedford, New York, respectively. They pair with a choice of white, gold, or graphite metal finishes. She’s paid attention to the details, as evidenced by features such as soft-closed and full-extension drawers, security edging on shoe racks, built-in USB and outlet plug-ins, and 11 linear feet of hanging space. And yet Stewart has left room for personalization as well: Components of the Everyday System can take on hundreds of configurations, solving storage needs in the closet, home office, media center, pantry, crafts room, or children’s room.
Don't miss the AD PRO-exclusive workshop—Photo Finish: How to Showcase Your Project
Providing solutions for everyday living may not be far-fetched for Martha, but the new collection introduces an accessible new offering for California Closets (prices begin at $999). AD PRO caught up with Stewart to learn more about the collaboration and how she’s helping the manufacturer garner mass appeal.
AD PRO: I understand this isn’t your first time working with California Closets.
Martha Stewart: I installed a beautiful California Closets [system] in an unused bedroom in my house in Bedford, and it has proven to be such a great way to organize my clothes. They are very interested in good design and high quality—in the way things work not only in spacing, but also look and feel and design. Many of those features we chose are incorporated into these modular units we’ve designed.
AD PRO: What advice would you have for a designer seeking a licensing deal?
MS: Have a clear understanding about the design and your input in the product itself. Have a final say in what it looks like and how it acts. Have a nice working relationship with people who are like-minded, because you can mess up big-time if you have the wrong partner. The licensee has to investigate. If you’re making sheets and towels, for example, you have to look at all the sheets and towel manufacturers to learn who can make things the right way. Who has the sensibility of quality and fair prices?
AD PRO: In what ways does the Everyday System stand out from others at the cost-conscious level?
MS: Most others are just metal rods and racks. That’s not very appealing—except maybe for the garage. Many are not stable and look cheap. I did not want this system to look jerry-built. It looks like a quality piece of postmodern furniture and can be configured in hundreds of ways.
AD PRO: The Everyday System also marks the first time California Closets is offering accessories, from hangers to trays and collapsible bins. Why were those essential for you to include within the collection?
MS: I care a lot about how I hang my clothes, so the hangers were very important to me. The minute my clothes come back from the dry cleaner, they come right off that metal hanger and get put on a great hanger. You also want to have enough cupboard space so that there’s room to put something that’s actually useful inside. We’ve measured and thought through everything.
