.jpg)
Bella Systems, the tri-state area's top custom closet design operation, worked with us on a special project for “The Ultimate New York Apartment” - designing four uniquely-shaped closets to not only elevate the space, but help bring hanging and storage potential to its maximum capacity. A family-run business, Bella Systems is unlike any of the nationwide custom closet designers, because they do their job with care and heart. From the moment we began working with them, until the closets' completion, Bella Systems showed up with phenomenal attention to detail, quality materials, expert design perspective, and timely delivery of the finished product.
Our project began with a simple phone call to Bella Systems to initiate what would be a closet customization for a New York City loft in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The challenge before us was to create systems for the closets that allowed for ample storage, sizable hanging space, and special details integrated into the somewhat complex shapes of two closets in the primary bedroom. Bella Systems not only rose to the challenge, but brought years of experience with them to help make the most of the closet space we had in the loft. Within a few days after the initial phone call, Lisa, one of the company’s owners, arrived ready to take measurements of each closet so she could use her tools, computer programs, and imagination to come up with solutions for each one. She and her husband, Anthony, co-own the company and work together to bring their clients’ vision to life.
In the primary bedroom of the loft space, there are three closets. One of the closets is larger and could accommodate a pseudo walk-in design, while the other two are both very long, but incredibly narrow, with the bulk of the space we had to work with located behind a wall anchored with an ethanol fireplace. Lisa began brainstorming with us and conceptualizing ideas that could be possible based on projects they’ve worked on in the past. Her ideas for the long narrow closets included positioning double hanging bars width-wise to hold clothing such as blazers, pants, and shirts. She offered the thought of including a bank of drawers that would be set just at the right angle to provide drawer storage, with 5 shoe shelves positioned above it. The position of the drawer bank made it easy to access and also, very importantly, left space open to be able to step into the closet itself and reach for the hanging pieces at the back behind the wall. Through all of this Lisa was even able to include shelving running the full length of the closet on top for more storage, and more shelving within the hanging vestibule. It was absolutely incredible how much storage she was able to make possible out of a seemingly impossibly-shaped space.
The walk-in closet located in the primary bedroom was a bit easier with its shape, however, presented other challenges with very particular requests coming from the client. Bella Systems is used to working with their clients to help make their closet storage needs a reality, and will do anything they can within reason to make dreams come true. In the walk-in closet, Lisa was able to provide double hanging racks, a bank of drawers, hidden floor storage, shoe shelving, regular storage slots at the top of the closet, and another storage shelf running along the very top of the closet. This made it incredibly easy to not only display clothing in a beautiful way, but make it all functionally available for the person who would potentially be using that closet.
Bella Systems does a remarkable job of fusing function with beauty. In larger spaces, they are able to create center closet islands, add lighting, hanging racks, and pretty much whatever else one may need to truly make their closet a showstopper. This job is a bit easier in larger homes or spaces but, in New York City, the space struggle is real - and any city dweller knows that. In the second bedroom of the loft space, Lisa and team measured carefully to meet the request of a center drawer bank, a side to side hanging bar, side storage and shelving to the left of the drawer bank. Lisa was able to integrate a large storage shelf at the very top of the closet as well. It was quite unbelievable that, within a day or two, we had set designs and a game plan for the project at hand.
Our next step, which we did during our first meeting with the Bella Systems team, was to choose the finish and handles. This can be very overwhelming, especially since they offer clients a wide array of choices to choose from. But, we found the perfect match to the Benjamin Moore Aura paint color that was used in the space. We chose this finish for the material that would be used for each closet system, and also chose an exact match in color and shape for the pull handles that would be used for the drawers. It quite literally looked like these closet systems could have been in the space the entire time of its existence - and not like a mismatched addition.
The Bella Systems team took all the requests and designs and ordered what they needed to create the systems. With each project, there are different lead times, but for “The Ultimate New York Apartment”, the four closets took roughly six weeks to be designed, built, and installed. We were incredibly impressed with the speed in which they were able to deliver such a high quality final product.
On the day of installation, Lisa’s husband Anthony and other members of the team arrived to install the systems. Prior to their arrival, we had the previous closet components removed, and the inside of the closets patched and painted to give them a fresh start with the custom closet systems. This is a must, because Bella Systems doesn’t use components from previous work or materials that were already in place. The guys worked diligently throughout the day, in the kindest and most professional manner, and ten hours later, the closets were completed. We were blown away with the final result. Not only were the closets beautiful, but we had added nearly double the storage space within the previously existing closets.
In today’s world, it’s difficult to find companies that are not only good at what they do, but take pride and care with each client. Good materials are hard to come by. Hard work is hard to come by. Kindness is hard to come by. Bella Systems, and their team, offer all of this. There is quite simply no better operation to work with for your custom closet needs in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. We spoke with Lisa after the project completion to ask her a few questions that were on our mind about the company and the way the Bella Systems team approaches each job in front of them.
IC: What is Bella Systems and why was it founded?
BS: Bella Systems was founded in 2009 and provides custom closet and storage solutions to homeowners and small businesses. At the time it was founded, and in large part still today, the industry was lacking in technology. While everyone was walking around with a supercomputer in their pocket, the custom closet industry was still drawing closets on scratch pads and manually compiling and placing orders. With a strong belief that homeowners wanted to see and feel their potential new closet designs in real time, Bella Systems was launched, placing technology at the forefront of everything we do.
IC: What is the Bella Systems difference that makes your custom closet operation stand out amongst the rest?
BS: Aside from its state-of-the-art technology, Bella Systems is hyper focused on customer service. It turns out, being hyper focused on this isn’t all that hard. We respond to every inquiry as soon as possible, preferably immediately. We show up on time. We’re professional, we’re courteous, and our work is impeccable. We also update our product offerings to keep pace with trends and best practices.
IC: What can clients expect from Bella Systems’ closet design process?
BS: I think the most important thing is that homeowners will have the chance to sit down
and work with our designers in their home while evaluating belongings, needs, wants and style. They will have the chance to actually build their closet using our design software and will watch as it all comes to life in a 3-D rendering.
IC: How long does it typically take from design to completion for the finished product to be installed?
BS: We get this question a lot and it’s one of the hardest ones to answer. We always want to set realistic expectations so we are presently quoting up to twelve weeks from contract to install date but there are so many variables in the mix, it is not uncommon for that lead time to be cut in half. It all depends on the type of project, the homeowner, and the home itself.
IC: Are there any requests or designs that are particularly exciting for your team to work on?
BS: This changes - a lot. Right now, we are a little obsessed with murphy beds. With everyone working from home, being able to create multi-use spaces that are both functional and pretty to look at is at the top of everyone’s list. We’re installing murphy beds that can be combined with desks and even couches. We’ve also been having fun with hardware and finishes. Color is in at the moment - and we just started carrying a new deep blue finish. It pairs well with everything but especially gold hardware - it’s gorgeous.
IC: What has been one of the most challenging and rewarding design projects you’ve faced as a team?
BS: Well, this might sound rehearsed - but hands down, has to be working together during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business rules varied by state and county, so we were able to continue working in many locations. Most of our lead designers have young children that were unexpectedly out of school, and they found themselves without childcare. Our entire team pitched in. We had designers doing virtual appointments (which are still available to this day) and our installers going to homes to measure. It was truly an all-hands-on deck situation, and we are so proud to say that we not only kept the lights on but were able to keep our entire team. I think it’s worth noting that as nice as our closets are, they are not a necessity. We didn’t want to put our team or our customers at unnecessary risk during a pandemic, but we did want to make sure that homeowners, especially on new builds, were able to close on time. We truly embodied the spirit of a family owned and operated business and got through it all together.
IC: What are your tips to offer clients to help them get the most of their space when dreaming-up designs for their closets?
BS: Well, our most obvious advice would be to partner with a professional closet company. Next, we’d advise clients to listen to their designers. They do this hundreds of times per year! And finally, we always ask our clients to have us measure every closet in their house while we are on site. Even if you are only looking to do one closet - once your belongings are organized, it is only a matter of time before you start to think of other spaces for custom closets! This can save a lot of time the second or third time around.
BS: Well, this might sound rehearsed - but hands down, has to be working together during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business rules varied by state and county, so we were able to continue working in many locations. Most of our lead designers have young children that were unexpectedly out of school, and they found themselves without childcare. Our entire team pitched in. We had designers doing virtual appointments (which are still available to this day) and our installers going to homes to measure. It was truly an all-hands-on deck situation, and we are so proud to say that we not only kept the lights on but were able to keep our entire team. I think it’s worth noting that as nice as our closets are, they are not a necessity. We didn’t want to put our team or our customers at unnecessary risk during a pandemic, but we did want to make sure that homeowners, especially on new builds, were able to close on time. We truly embodied the spirit of a family owned and operated business and got through it all together.
IC: What are your tips to offer clients to help them get the most of their space when dreaming-up designs for their closets?
BS: Well, our most obvious advice would be to partner with a professional closet company. Next, we’d advise clients to listen to their designers. They do this hundreds of times per year! And finally, we always ask our clients to have us measure every closet in their house while we are on site. Even if you are only looking to do one closet - once your belongings are organized, it is only a matter of time before you start to think of other spaces for custom closets! This can save a lot of time the second or third time around.
.jpg)
