Love California Closets, but quite expensive!! We have a combination of Pax wardrobes from Ikea and Closetmaid system from Home Depot. I'm offically out of hanging space so am thinking of taking out the dresser to place add'l hanging space on back wall. (DH says I just need to get rid of all the things I don't wear...I guess there's some truth to that! Left side has shelving for sweaters + hang space and right-siis mostly double-hang space + section for dresses etc. (Pic taken before everything got piled back in! Add'l storage hidden in these pics) I keep all casual T-shirts etc in Pax wardrobe in DH closet + space in 2 spare rooms...yes, it's time to re-organize so perhaps this thread will motivate me to do it! I would love to have everything including storage for shoes in 1 spot, but this closet simply isn't large enough! What is lacking in my closet is space for shoes...they are all over the place and something that I would certainly want to address for any 'do-overs'!

Errant-- You made me laugh. You sound EXACTLY like me when I discover a good toy too late. I can't remember what dimensions you chose in your pantry. But the Sistema bakery series is modular. You can stack them to nearly any height. Might still work. And if you have 8" deep shelves, they will fit perfectly front to back with no waste space. Below is a link to the best helper shelf that I found. I love their look, their expandability, and their sturdiness. I also like the fact that, unlike wood shelves, these are transparent and you can see what is below them. I use a LOT of these in my pantry on the fixed shelves. It is so much more efficient to stack only like items so one never has to unstack bowls and saucers to get to a plate, for instance. Also had them in my upper cabs until I had enough sense to just make some extra shelves myself. Here is a link that might be useful: Best helper shelf I have found. This post was edited by Bellsmom on Sun, Aug 3, 14 at 16:27

Justgb..my grandson is going to LOVE that video. He really is interested in history/old fashioned things and inventions, so it's right up his alley. And I enjoyed learning about Lego's history, too. Thank you. BP..he played with the newly organized Lego's yesterday for the first time (first time he hasn't had a set to put together). I just put the base plates on the floor and he spent the whole time with the bin of body parts and created the best creatures with them. No dumping yet, I'm not sure he's a dumping kind of kid, but we'll see, so I'll hold off on a drop cloth for now. I can see the problem with a sheet, now that you mention it. Legomom, thanks for the tips. There is a Lego store about an hour from here (on a good traffic day). I might have to wait to take him when school's out. It's on my to do list with him. I've been not exactly dreaming about Legos, but the images of all those pieces I've been sorting kind of run through my mind when trying to fall asleep, when I rouse at night and when I first wake up. I feel immersed.

By the way, it's quite chilly in there year round...we all have space heaters! I'm thinking a French cottage feel with a lot of natural textures, green and botanicals would warm things up and go with the furniture which echoes wrought iron and distressed wood.