Before and After: A Plain, Boring Closet Gets a Luxe Makeover with Rifle Paper Co. Wallpaper
“You teach people how to treat you.” This quote, in all its different forms, is a wonderful boundary-affirming thought that can remind you that you can be in charge of how people relate to you. The idea holds true at home, too. For instance, a kitchen sink holding a few dirty mugs and that cereal bowl pooled with milk doesn’t seem to mind another set of dirty dishware added to it. On the other hand, an empty, sparkling sink encourages people to leave it that way by rinsing the dishes and popping them in the dishwasher.
By decluttering a space, you can set the tone for a clean, tidy home. Michelle Hsu (@astoldbymichelle) demonstrates this principle in action with a beautiful closet transformation in the nursery.
It started with a bold design decision: removing the closet door. “Taking a closet door off and replacing [it] with a curtain can be a great solution if you have a door that makes the room feel crowded,” she explains of her “controversial” choice.
While she was at it, Michelle also added some gorgeous wallpaper to the closet, completely elevating this usually overlooked space. In short, “I wanted to give the space a little more personality! I love color so I knew I needed to add more of that to the closet.”
To replace the closet door, Michelle added a luscious mustard velvet curtain hung on an equally stunning brass curtain rod. Inside the closet, though, is the real showstopper: Rifle Paper Co. peacock wallpaper.
Coming in at a grand total of $322, Michelle describes how her project came together: “It took about a day to complete. My husband helped me take the door off and this was my second time using paste to wallpaper. Everything went very smoothly since I wasn’t making any huge changes.” The rest of the space was completed with decor and organizational pieces, including stackable poufs and various baskets.
Even if the physical changes weren’t “huge,” the transformation is dazzling. Michelle especially loves the color palette. “I think the color scheme is one of my favorite parts! The mustard yellow, pink, and green combination is one of my go-tos.” She also appreciated the opportunity to gain more experience in wallpapering. “Every time I wallpaper, I feel like I get a little bit better at it so it feels good to practice a new skill.”
She encourages others to do the same. “Don’t be afraid to just start! I used to let my lack of DIY knowledge hold me back, but the more I do, the more I learn and feel more confident.”
By boldly making a space work for her and her family, Michelle changed a strictly utilitarian closet into a work of art — one that no one would want to stuff anything into haphazardly, that’s for sure! This is a lovely closet that demands respect and brings joy to anyone who peeks inside.
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