See inside: A Lake Norman home gets his-and-hers closet makeovers

Living on the lake makes every day feel a bit like vacation.

The pros at California Closets wanted to play into that when renovating their Lake Norman client’s primary closets.

The story: The closets were just one component of a larger home renovation, which meant that California Closets Design Manager Morgan Haynie was in for some teamwork. Haynie collaborated with local Interior Designer, Chad Pruett, who was working on other spaces in the home, to design a closet system that was functional and blended with the client’s new aesthetic.

We talked with the dynamic duo to get a behind-the-scenes look at the project.

What was the client’s motivation for this project?

Chad: They purchased their house a few years ago during the pandemic and wanted to upgrade the closets (as well as the primary bathroom and living spaces) to reflect their style.

Morgan: When they first purchased the home, it was very dark, with outdated, heavy cabinets. With the renovation, they wanted to move in the opposite direction.

How would you describe the client’s style and goals for the spaces?

Morgan: They like fresh, clean design. Living right on Lake Norman, they wanted an at-ease, “lake feel.”

Chad: The client loves to have family and friends gather at the house during the summer, so organization and an inviting aesthetic were key to the project.

What finishes and features did you use in these spaces?

Chad: To complement the soft grays and blues of the main bathroom and bedroom, we decided to go with light, neutral colors in the closets.  

• Fun fact: The marble tile floors in the bathroom and closets are heated.

Morgan: Those lighter-tone finishes, plus lots of lighting, make the space bright.

The main closet finish, which is used on all of the cabinetry, is called Linen — it’s just as light and beautiful as it sounds, giving the cabinets a soft touch and feel while adding some class to the space.

• The backing finish is called Morning Light, which complements the other colors and adds depth to the spaces.

The hardware is a soft, matte nickel, which blends well with the cabinetry finishes and bathroom accents.

What’s your favorite feature of the finished closets?

Chad: It would have to be the lighting — every drawer lights up when you open it!

Morgan: The lighting. I love to see clients play with lighting in their shoe areas, drawers, and overall space — it adds so much!

What do you like about California Closets?

Chad: I love working alongside Morgan and California Closets to develop a relationship with homeowners built on trust and follow-through.

Morgan: I love that every day is different and new.

• I have been with the company now for over a decade and I still get joy out of solving the puzzles of challenging spaces and bringing functional design to my clients.

Inspired to start your own closet makeover? Schedule a free consultation with a California Closets designer.

Produced in partnership with California Closets.