Update to March Blog - Asheville Project

This is an update to the picture I posted in March of the house in framing under construction in West Asheville. We have started our part of the project there now, installing all of the Candle Light colored shelving and cabinets that you see in picture above. This week the painters are working and we will go back to finish soon.  I look forward to sharing finished photos.

I Have Gift Closet Envy

In discussing gifts for the upcoming Holidays, my friend was telling me about her gift closet. This past summer she began clipping coupons and has saved a fortune on groceries and other household items. She also heard about a major clearance sale happening in Asheville on toys and made a serious investment in toys that were on sale up to 70% off. My friend stocked up on toys that are for both genders and in several age groups. Most of the toys that she purchased were originally in the $20-$35 range, but she got them at bargain prices. She has been using these clearance toys for birthday parties since the summer and still has presents for nieces and nephews. She also found some larger toy items for her own children that will be quite a surprise for these little ones.

I am envious of her gift closet. I think this sounds like an awesome idea with a closet dedicated to storage of these presents. You can organize the presents based on the types of gifts with toys, games, stuffed animals for different age groups. Keeping on hand gift bags and tissue for quick and easy "wrap and run" makes you prepared to dash out the door to the next party. After Holiday sales would be a good time to start a gift closet like this. I think I will start a gift closet as well.

Hafele Interviews Asheville Interior Designer

I was recently interviewed and featured in the Hafele Co. Closet Spotlight Newsletter published for August 2010. The newsletter goes out to closet companies and other cabinet vendors around the world who use Hafele products. The purpose of the interview was to allow peers to get a perspective of how things in other areas. Below is my interview:


1. Which areas of the home (closet, home office, home entertainment, garage) are your customers most looking to improve?

Amanda: "I think clients are looking to save space in almost every area of their homes. Multi-purpose rooms that are functional and beautiful are still in demand. We achieve this with our Murphy bed and panel beds creating rooms that act as offices or craft areas when the guests aren’t there."

2. Do you find that you are closing more projects in certain areas of the home? If so why?

Amanda: "The master closet continues to be the most important aspect for my clients. An organized master closet can free up space in the master suite as well as save time and frustration during the morning routine."

3. What have you found to be the best method of reaching customers today?

Amanda: "Nothing will every replace a referral from a happy client, however, constant and consistent local advertising is important for our business. Consumers today are more tech savvy, so I think the current and future method of reaching clients will be via social media outlets. I try reaching people via several different platforms (blog, YouTube, Twitter) so that I am present in their world when they do need my services."

4. What new trends do you see regarding your business?

Amanda: "The trend in housing is to build more efficient, smaller homes that have more amenities packed into them. This is a natural fit for the custom closet industry as homeowners want to maximize space and multi-purpose rooms."

5. What is the most unique customer experience that you have had?

Amanda: "A couple came to my showroom for a closet proposal presentation, the wife wasn’t feeling very well so she laid down and fell asleep on one of the Murphy beds in the showroom. Meanwhile the husband and I continued to review the plans, made changes, and completed a sale for the closets. The day of the installation I went to check on the job and the wife was embarrassed that she didn’t recognize me as she had slept thru the entire sales process; fortunately she was thrilled with her “surprise” closet."

Amanda Ballew, Interior Designer

More Space Place Asheville
1025 Brevard Road Suite 7 Asheville, NC 28806
828-665-9665
Email: aballew@morespaceplaceasheville.com
Follow me on http://twitter.com/avlcustomcloset

Asheville Chamber Event was Success

On Tuesday August 17th, the Asheville Area Chamber hosted a Business Before Hours at More Space Place Asheville sponsored by BB&T and catered by Colorful Palate. Many of the participants were first time visitors to our showroom and got to experience Murphy Beds and Custom Closets up close for the first time. The food was delicious and the networking was fun. 




Holly Decker, Vice President of Certified Business Services at BB&T Asheville gave a personal testimony of her experience with More Space Place Asheville and how we provided a custom built wall unit and desk for her home. Thank you Holly!




Thank you to Gary with GSocialMedia for taking these clips.

If you would like a personal tour or consulation please contact Amanda at 828-665-9665.

Asheville Custom Closets - Best Value Compared to Online Competitors

Today I would like to talk with you about why it is not a good idea to buy closets online. Many companies offer online "custom closet" sales.  I would ask you to reflect on  a couple of questions that might start you thinking about why you should consider a local company:


1.  How do you know what to order? What parts and pieces are important?  How will it fit?  As a competitive designer in the Asheville area market I have had many homeowners bring designs to me that they have either created themselves online or had the automated computer create via an online closet source. Many of these designs have not been what I would consider "good" designs. They are inefficient - not using all of the closet space or sometimes just don't make functional sense. A closet designer will ask many questions about you, your lifestyle, your clothes, how many, how big, how much, etc and help decide what goes where and the most efficient use of space and functionality. I travel in the Asheville Area and all of Western North Carolina to assist homeowners with custom closet designs - see my closet video.

2. When they say "shipped to your home"  - do you realize this means on a "semi - truck" that you must unload and then count the parts and pieces that come to make sure you got everything. A current builder client of More Space Place has a horror story of how he tried to save a couple hundred bucks on his closets and when the semi truck arrived with some parts damaged and no instructions on how to assemble the parts, he was quite regretful. He will only buy closets from More Space Place Asheville now.

3. Who is going to install this for you? Are you going to install the closet rails and parts and cut the shelves to length? Do you have the tools?  If you hire a handy-man is he reliable? Does he know where to put the rods? Our installers are trained to install closets. They have a complete set of instructions with notes that you and I have made regarding placement of any accessories and rod heights. These guys could install closets in their sleep. They have years of experience and can finish a complete house of closets in just hours.

4.  Are you getting the best deal? What really is the price?   I have compared many closet quotes. From local to national vendors, to online resources. Apples to apples is not easy to spot for the untrained consumer-  More Space Place can provide you with the BEST VALUE in the Asheville Area. We INCLUDE installation and tax in every quote. We do not nickel and dime our clients. A one time complimentary adjustment is available if you need shelves or rods moved once you get your clothes in place.  Just this week, I had a homeowner who brought me a set of plans from an online source. Their price was $4200.00 including shipping (no tax). My price was $4500.00 for a finished installed in-home project including our 7% NC tax.

5. If you can support a local company that has families living in your neighborhood - why would you buy a product from an online source?  Our employees are part of the local economy, we live, eat, go to school, and spend our money with other local companies when possible. We have a showroom at 1025 Brevard Road in Asheville NC where you can touch and test the products with smiling faces to greet you.

Call Amanda Ballew, Interior Designer for an appointment or email - I will show you how More Space Place Asheville can provide you with the BEST VALUE in custom closets for the area.

Father's Day Wish from More Space Place Asheville

How many ways More Space Place can help you honor

your Father on his special day.

Amanda can create a masterful garage unit for storing all his special items.

Golf Clubs, Bikes, Car Care Equipment, Tools, Athletic stuff

Whatever your special man considers special for his garage area, Contact Amanda to help him keep a better garage in an organized and good looking manner like shown above.

Happy Father's Day to all the Asheville Area Dads!!

Asheville: All custom closets are not created equal

A custom closet is an investment that you want to get right the first time.

It is very important when you are considering purchasing a custom closet in the Asheville, North Carolina area and WNC, that you hire a professional designer to assist you with designing your dream closet. Closet professionals will ask you lots of questions about what you are trying to accomplish and what items you want to store. We know the appropriate heights to allow for your clothing so as to maximize your space. Closets are much different to design than kitchen and baths - you want a professional who is familiar with the particular needs and has experience in solving challenging issues. Trim carpenters or handy-men in Asheville and elsewhere will tell homeowners that they can do closets, however, as skilled as they are, they are not trained in the appropriate heights for your clothes and the materials they use are often not adjustable and not of high quality. Often the closets prepared by trim carpenters are an inefficient use of space and the shelves are rough and pick fine clothing.


More Space Place Asheville provides a turn-key closet service which means Amanda will come to your home to measure and evaluate your needs, create a design for you, she will order product and her team of professional installers will install your dream closet. More Space Place will warranty not only our products but also workmanship. We also offer a complimentary after service adjustment - in case you need a rod moved or shelf adjustment once your clothes are moved into your closet (no one else in the Asheville area offers this).

To schedule your design consultation: email Amanda or call for appointment 828-665-9665 

WNCGBC Directory Release Party 4/8/2010 Green Building Products for Asheville, NC

Join Amanda  and Michelle from More Space Place Asheville on Thursday night for release of our new green product to the building industry. We are now offering our melamine product in Wild Cherry available with no-urea formaldehyde added as a standard product instead of special order. You can actually see the green in the product, which helps to identify it as the green product. This is an exciting addition to our already green (recycled content and EPP)  product line and one green builders have been waiting for from the closet industry. This product is available for our custom closets as shown in photo, shelving, murphy beds, office units, and other storage options. Asheville More Space Place is pleased to be a part of the WNC Green Building Council and will be at the release party on Thursday night April 8th from 6-9- details below from WNCGBC:

The Western North Carolina Green Building Council (WNCGBC) proudly presents the Many Shades of Green Extravaganza, April 7 through April 10, 2010, in Asheville, NC. All events are open to the public, and most are free. (See website for more info)
The 2010 WNC Green Building Directory Release Party will be on Thursday, April 8, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at Pack Place in Downtown Asheville. The 2009 event had approximately 300 attendees, and more are expected this year. Free and open to the public, the Party promotes the eco-friendly community in WNC by featuring an expo-like atmosphere that showcases businesses listed in the 2010 Directory. Light refreshments will be served, with all food and drink provided by local companies.

Contact information for WNCGBC:
Shifra Nerenberg
828-254-1995
office@wncgbc.org


Contact Information for Amanda at More Space Place:
amandamorespaceavl@gmail.com

Asheville Fun Depot Free $5 Game Card with Goodwill Clothing Donation during March

Today we spent our Sunday afternoon at Asheville's Fun Depot  we had a blast riding indoor go-carts, playing arcade video games, indoor mini-golf, mini-bowling, and bumper cars. They have something for every age kid and service hundreds of birthday parties.

This month, March 1-31, 2010 Fun Depot is promoting a Goodwill Donation Drive that I want to share with you. This is a super reason for Asheville to clean out your closets and get something fun in return.  Simply take

 three articles of clothing to the fun depot to be donated to Northwest North Carolina Goodwill and Fun Depot will reward you with a FREE $5 game card.. See attached photo for details or contact Fun Depot or look them up on Facebook.

Asheville, it's a great time to clean out those closets and donate your items that you no longer need to Goodwill, who supports job training programs in the community and get a  Free $5 game card for your three donated clothing items. Offer is limited to One Coupon per person, so take the entire family and have a blast at the Fun Depot!

An introduction to Amanda of Asheville Custom Closets More Space Place

Hello! Well, I am sure many of you are wondering – who is this Asheville Custom Closet Amanda? I am a native of Burnsville and have called Western North Carolina home throughout my life. I have an Interior Design Bachelor’s Degree from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Interior design for me is not only a passion but a career. I enjoy helping people improve their lives and living environments thru better use of space planning, colors, textures, and furniture choices.

I am actively involved in the Asheville community with charity groups such as Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Hendersonville Home Builders Association’s annual TEAM Day. I am currently serving as the President of the Professional Women in Building Regional Chapter and was recently recognized by my peers as the Affiliate Member of the Year for the Asheville Home Builders Association for 2009.

For me, success is doing what you love as a career. I am fortunate to work for More Space Place Asheville, a closets and more company, that has moral and ethical standards in line with my personal beliefs and I am proud to work with each of my co-workers and installers. I really enjoy forming lasting relationships with realtors, builders, architects, remodel contractors, and of course homeowners of Western North Carolina.

More Space Place Asheville opened the showroom on Brevard Road in 2002, bringing the concept of Murphy Beds and home offices to Western North Carolina. The ownership recognized an under-serviced market for custom closets and storage solutions, as well as a need for design expertise and hired me in December 2006. Bringing years of design experience and furniture sales, along with construction knowledge, I work with builders and homeowners to marry their desires and budgets into a workable solution for their closets. I work to educate Asheville area homeowners on the advantages of our closets and other products and tailor them to your needs. Although we are known in the local area of Western North Carolina for our custom closets, we also specialize in Murphy beds, home offices, laundry rooms, entertainment units and any other storage needs you can dream up.

Thanks for reading my blog, you can follow me on Twitter and YouTube and Facebook to learn more or email me direct with questions or to schedule an appointment.

10 Questions asked about Asheville custom closets

1. Who buys a custom closet system? Asheville homeowners wishing to maximize their space. Use of a closet system can sometimes more than double the efficiency of a space providing quick and easy access to your clothes and valuable items. Also, if you want to provide drawers for armoire/dresser style storage within the closet, a closet system is ideal.

2. How much does it cost? The price of a custom closet in Asheville, Western North Carolina varies depending on your space and what your needs are. Larger closets with more amenities obviously cost more than simple reach in hanging spaces. The average master closet size 6 x 10 walk in ranges approx $1,500-2,000 depending on the design and materials.

3. What if I don’t have a big space? Custom closets by More Space Place Asheville are perfect for small spaces. If you have a ceiling height of at least 85” I can use the space to double hang your garments and maximize your space. Also, closets with odd shapes and heights are perfect candidates.

4. How deep does a closet have to be? Ideally a closet should be at least 24” deep inside to hang clothes, but accommodations can be made for tighter spaces.

5. What is the material? Custom closets are usually created of multiple materials. More Space Place Asheville closets are primarily a ¾” furniture grade composite melamine, with accessories of Thermafoil, wood, glass, and metals to complement all the different decors of individual houses.

6. How does it get installed? It is imperative that a custom closet system be properly installed. Our local Asheville installers are full time employees trained for proper placement of rods and shelves for storing your clothing. When they come to your home they respect your belongings, your home, and leave your closet ready to hang your clothes (no cleaning up required on your part).

7. Can I have drawers? Yes, drawers are a nice accessory for a custom closet. They come in many different sizes and configurations. More Space Place Asheville provides drawers on a full extension slide allowing for maximum access of all interior space of the drawer. Many home plans are providing smaller bedrooms with less furniture and larger dressing style suites, allowing owners to have all their clothing in one space instead of spread out.

8. Does the closet system come with hangers and accessories? Normally homeowners in Western North Carolina will need to provide their own hangers; however, there are many resources for hanger replacements should you wish to uniformly replace all your hangers into your new closet. Accessories like tie racks and belt racks that slide out for easy access can be added to your closet order. Jewelry drawer inserts are great way to organize your most prized possessions. Other accessories like slide out baskets, laundry hampers, ironing boards, mirrors, and valet bars are also available.

9. Will I have to empty my space? It works best for our installation team to start on installation day with an empty painted room. If you are removing old closet shelving where the walls will need to be repaired – arrangements can be made for this to be done in advance.

10. How does the process work? Typically Amanda (me) from More Space Place Asheville, NC will come to your home throughout Western North Carolina area for a consultation. Measurements will be taken for the space you want to outfit. After carefully accessing your needs (measuring your belongings and how you store your clothes), I create a design using a computer software program. Once we get your closet designed the way you like it, materials will be ordered and in approx 4-6 weeks, we will schedule installation of your new closet.