A dressing room to inspire for designer Clare Vivier
What Clare Vivier wanted
Fashion designer Clare Vivier is known for her iconic blend of California cool and Parisian polish, a look that leans on curated accessories, pops of playful patterns, and that certain je ne sais quoi that requires the right pieces and effortless style.
So, while renovating her 1927 Spanish Revival home, she found a unique opportunity: a bedroom she could reimagine as an artist's studio-inspired retreat with room for embracing daily routines, curating beloved treasures, and, of course, workshopping her wardrobe. Next, she teamed up with designer Sabina Loos at California Closets Orange County to make it all happen.
For Clare, this room is a place to experiment. “As a designer, I love getting dressed and putting outfits together; it’s one way I express myself,” she adds. Before this closet, Clare’s wardrobe was spread across three different rooms. The home's original closets were charming but small, making it difficult to store her collection of clothing, shoes, handbags, hats, and jewelry in one centralized space.
Having previously collaborated with California Closets in Los Angeles for her last home, Clare knew the joy and impact of a highly personalized closet. For this next chapter, her vision was clear from the start. She wanted the room to feel authentic to the home’s early 20th-century architecture and do double duty as a guest room, incorporating a beloved vintage spindle twin bed. Most importantly, Clare wanted to see her wardrobe. Unlike traditional closets with closed cabinetry, she preferred exposed hanging rods and open shelving, showcasing her clothing as works of art.
“Another thing I wanted to carry over from my last home was the bench seat. I spend a lot of time in this room, so it’s nice to have a place to sit and lay things out.”
How California Closets designed it
Working together, Clare and Sabina explored finishes, hardware, and accessories, arriving at a customized design solution that thoughtfully optimizes wall space and combines Clare’s goals for order, character, and another cozy window bench. Positioned beneath the home's original windows dressed in custom café curtains, the bench doubles as storage with deep drawers and provides a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful abundance of natural light that first drew Clare to the home.
To complement the home's historic details, Sabina selected a matte white finish and black hardware to echo the iron details found throughout the house. Shaker-style doors and drawer fronts reinforce the timeless aesthetic, while concealed mounting systems create a cleaner, more elevated appearance and leave room for future creative expression. “I hid the rails that secure the system to the wall, in case Clare wants to add wallpaper or decorative treatments down the road.”
Tailored organization played a central role in the final layout, with dedicated storage solutions for each category of Clare's collection:
• Jewelry drawers with suede inserts to protect and display accessories
• Pull-out shoe storage that takes advantage of the deeper cabinets, while keeping footwear visible and accessible
• Wall-mounted hooks and accessory storage for handbags and hats
• Open shelving and hanging sections to make outfit selection effortless
One of Sabina's favorite design elements was the addition of a front-to-back hanging rod. Inspired by boutique retail environments, the feature allows Clare to display garments in a way that feels intentional and inspiring while maximizing storage capacity.
The completed dressing room seamlessly balances function and beauty. “The jewelry drawers are maybe my favorite feature,” says Clare. “Jewelry is a tricky thing to store so that you can readily see what you have; jewelry drawers are ideal. The microfiber lining and the way they glide so easily make them very satisfying!”
“I love integrating a variety of accessories in my designs and Clare has a beautiful collection of jewelry, shoes, handbags, and hats to incorporate — each needing a different solution.”
