Separating lights and darks for a sleek laundry room
What the client wanted
When he’s not travelling the world’s most beautiful cities to source rare antiques as a Chief Interior Design & Product Curator, Gary Spain recharges in the quiet comforts of home. Nestled in the hills of California’s Wine Country and surrounded by groves of olive and citrus trees, his home inspires the same wonder and awe of the Design Galleries he reimagines across the globe. In true form, the vision for his detached laundry room was no different.
To achieve the aesthetic appeal and precise utility that he and his husband, Tommy, envisioned, Gary approached California Closets San Francisco Bay Area for help.
“We didn’t want this space to read like a laundry room you’d keep behind a closed door. We wanted a design that was open, modern, and intentional like the rest of our home.”
How California Closets designed it
Collaborating with California Closets design consultant Todd Golbek, the couple sought a custom, floor-to-ceiling design that framed appliances and prioritised storage to deliver a clean line of sight, even on laundry days. Partial to doing laundry, Tommy was delighted with a generous marble worktop for sorting and folding, as well as the intentional lighting Todd incorporated throughout. Combining dramatic form and function, the couple opted for a black wood grain finish offset by vintage gold hardware – a bold look that mirrored the home’s interior, clad in dark woods, rich textiles, and Gary’s treasured rare collections of found art and sculpture. Deep drawers and cabinets even allowed Gary to use the transformed space for his wardrobe, too.
“The scale of the system is immediately apparent and so impressive to see in person.”
Final result
Sleek and stark in contrast, this sophisticated laundry room makes a compelling case for elegant utility and everyday style.
