A casual closet for designer Emily Henderson’s brother
What Emily Henderson wanted
Design expert and lifestyle tastemaker Emily Henderson is no stranger to meaningful projects. But designing her brother’s River House, an extensive new build on Portland’s Willamette River, brought a whole new meaning to personalized design.
Aiming to create a contemporary, warm, and family-friendly aesthetic, she prioritized quality and long-lasting design solutions, including a thoughtfully customized approach to closet storage. After working with California Closets for her own primary closet and loving the result, Emily reached back out to designer Amy Bodi of California Closets Portland to bring the same premium function and style to the River House.
“We couldn’t believe this went from blank to done in two days. Their crew are absolute pros and the quality is always extremely high.”
How California Closets designed it
Amy began by carefully assessing the clients’ lifestyle and the closet space — a pass-through between the hallway and bathroom. As casual dressers who both work from home, neither Emily’s brother nor his wife required extensive space for long suits or gowns. Instead, their wardrobe leans heavily on jeans, sweaters, and everyday staples. With that in mind, the layout prioritizes shelves and drawers along one wall. “One of the biggest benefits of California Closets is the drawer customization,” says Emily. “It precludes the need for a dresser in your bedroom.” A hanging section, primarily for short lengths, is positioned along the deeper opposite wall, making the most of the closet’s uneven dimensions. Emily selected a black wood grain finish with matte gold and white leather hardware, along with matching leather-wrapped rods, to complement design themes throughout the home. Accessory organizers beneath illuminated glass shelves keep jewelry protected, easily visible, and within easy reach.
“This closet feels like sexy, streamlined symmetry — my favorite features are
the glass shelves above the accessories and the slide-out mirror.”
Final result
A sophisticated, streamlined solution that optimizes space and makes everyday routines feel effortless. The closet is also filled with bells and whistles: a pull-out hamper for laundry or dry cleaning, a slide-out mirror that tucks into the one large hanging compartment, and a wall organizer for hanging belts and robes, steaming clothes, or organizing outfits. Custom-fit for the couple’s wardrobe and lifestyle, it’s a quality, long-lasting design with ample style and storage, exactly what Emily knew California Closets would deliver.
