Sex and the City 2: The Closet (and how to do it your way without spending BIG $$$)

As expected, this movie is filled with gorgeous, outlandish fashion (my favorite:  the white dress, not so outlandish!), amazing shoes, great decorating and inspiring travel locations.The white dress.

As a  decorator, I loved every room, although the apartment did not look lived in...but that is the movies! And I have researched some of the fun sites to see what can be purchased and what can be duplicated.  One of my favorites is the Rug Company,  which takes you through each room in the movie and features those fabulous (and pricey) rugs.  One reason they are so beautiful is that they were actually created by fashion designers! 

But for me, it was all about the closet.Carrie's new closet.

The minute Carrie entered her closet(s), the lighting changed, music played and we expected to see angels descend.  And they are spectacular closets. 

If you have always wished that you could step into Carrie's closet to see it for yourself, now you can.  This site actually puts you right inside  and an arrow lets you see details on the items.  Sort of like a closet peeping Tom!  

Carrie's former closet from her apartment is the one that really speaks to me.Carrie's former apartment closet.  It is filled with bright colors and patterns.  The soothing blue paint color is Blue Dusk  #1644 by Benjamin Moore from its classic color collection.  The beautiful runner on the floor is the Margherita rug by Marni from the Rug Company.  It is handmade of Tibetan wool and is exquisite.  

Unless you have a Big around to drop thousands, a Carrie-style closet is pretty much out of reach.  But don't despair, I am going to give you some tips on doing a makeover on your own closet that borrows a few ideas from the movie and incorporates some of my own ideas.     

And they will not cost a Big fortune.

Let's face it, we go into the closet at least 10 times a day.  It has the power to make us feel really good or really bad, depending upon what we are looking for and what size we happen to be that day.  So let's do something to spice it up a little.  If you only do one of these, I promise it will make a difference:

• Select a yummy paint color and paint!  This will give you immediate results.  Our favorite:  a shade of blue from Benjamin Moore.  For some reason, this color (blue) is just great for closets and you have an infinite selection.
• Pick out a runner or square rug, depending upon the configuration of your closet.  Something whimsical and fun.  Check out Target, Home Goods, West Elm.  The Chrysanthemum rug below is from West Elm and is hand tufted wool.  It starts at $129 for a runner.  
• Nothing adds some glamour to a closet like a chandelier!!   Replace that horrid fluorescent light that makes you feel terrible and gives everything an icky grey cast.  It is, after all, YOUR closet and a little sparkle goes a long way!  Spectacular Spaces has done chandeliers from Lowes (add some beads) for very little and they look great.  We also love this vintage iron chandelier with beads from Pottery Barn.  

•  Put a couple of pieces of artwork on the top shelves.  This adds something pretty and draws the eye up, making the closet look larger.  I have a couple of framed prints in mine. 
• If there is room, put a small chest or piece of furniture with drawers.  I use a small antique chest on a wall and I keep the drawers open all the time for belts and scarves.

As far as arranging your clothes:  put your prettiest things where you will see them when you open the door.  This is something you can do no matter what the size of your closet.  And most important, get rid of anything in the closet that does not make you happy.  

Sex and the City 2  photos from New Line Productions, Inc.