California Closets New England – The White Event

IT’S COLD!

At this time of year things get very cold, very dark, and very slow.  With the type of people I have they do not like to be idle.  This year we have no new showrooms to open and none that need upgrading so they are clamoring for something to do. Of course the economy has not helped the situation much as we try to live through this cold winter. So for the sake of all those hyper active people I have working for me I have decided to put together an event that will keep everyone busy and make our customers very happy.

THE WHITE EVENT

Here’s what we are doing:

 

 

 

Wood grain laminates can now be bought for the price of white.

The auto industry would call this “free upgrades.” We are calling this a “White Event.”    This pricing is going to last through March ‘09 and is real.  We are not messing with our pricing model (like some of our competitors) – this is the real deal!  This is the time to get an authentic California Closets storage solution and save some money. There’s nothing better than that organized feeling you get from owning California Closets®.

Stay warm!

Ken Cleary – President

California Closets-New England

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS AND BRIDE WARS

Hollywood loves California Closets!

Bride Wars Movie Premier

 

I was watching Sunday Morning on CBS when, there it was!  They were doing a feature on Brides magazine and were showing a clip from the movie Bride Wars.  In the film clip was our closet! And in the closet was Kate Hudson talking about  her Vera Wang wedding gown. Our closet had Kate Hudson and Vera Wang’s wedding gown in it. So how does this all happen?  How does California Closets get in the movies? It’s who we are.  We are the best known closet company in the world.  Our reputation makes our brand second to none.  But how did the New England franchise get involved? Here’s our Bride Wars story.

Bride  Wars – the movie

 

Lincoln Theatre

We got the call from our corporate office that there was a movie being filmed in Boston that wanted to use California Closets for some of their sets.  The movie was Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway and we were very willing to help.  It is not everyday that you get to have your product in a movie – even though the movie is the ultimate chick-flick.  This project was managed by our very capable Marketing Manager, Kim Kaplan and the designs for the closets were done by Boston area designer Erin Hall.  They did a great job working with the movie staff to  meet the needs for the sets. Our shop and installation departments were able to make special adjustments to meet mobility requirements.  Everything went according to plan and the producers were very grateful. We were thrilled to be a part of the whole process and we were even happier when we got the invitation to the world premier in New York City.

Kim and Erin in New York

Kim Kaplan and Erin Hall

 

When the invitation to the premier came it was obvious to me who should represent the company at the premier and it certainly was not me. Kim and Erin made the trip to the premier and the experience was reported be very “unique.” The movie was very good but they never got to meet any of the stars.  The Lincoln theatre was nice, they actually had a “blue” carpet for the entryway and they got to sit in the balcony.  All this seems to be a little short of some real details. I have some doubts about whether or not we got the whole story on the trip. I am having a hard time believing that this was just a “unique” experience – these two, in New York and the experience can only be described as unique? Please. The real story always takes time to surface.

The California Closets Experience

Why were we chosen to do this movie? Why are we the company that is always on “This Old House?” This franchise has done 5 episodes of  “This Old House.” Why? Why do we do so many closets for the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins, and the Patriots?  Why do so many different types of people want us in their homes organizing and simplifying their lives?  Why do we have an unprecedented rate of repeat and referral business?  When you pay attention to your clients and when you work hard to be the best – good things happen. Movies, TV shows, sports stars, celebrities and everyone else understands that some organizations are just great and deliver on their promises. We are creative and we deliver a product that is not matched by any competitor.  We are California Closets!

Ken Cleary,                                                                                                                                                                                            

President, California Closets-New England

Exclusive Video Footage

“California Closets presents the Virtual Showroom Tour. President Ken Cleary welcomes you to each of the 6 conveniently located showrooms and even offers to take you behind the scenes where the closets are created. Enjoy the show!”

Boston Globe lists California Closets No. 1

An exerpt from The Boston Globe on Aug. 28, 2008

Closet redesign opens up a world of possibilities

(VANDA GRIGOROVIC)

By Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Globe Correspondent / August 28, 2008

When Mr. Big asks Carrie in “Sex and the City” if they should buy her a diamond she says: “Just get me a really big closet.” One glance at Carrie Bradshaw’s ridiculously outfitted walk-in is bound to give you a good dose of closet envy.

But in a not-so-splurgeworthy economy, we couldn’t help but wonder, what would it cost to redo a simple reach-in closet to house those new fall frocks? We priced out a basic closet – typical in older homes – measuring 6 feet wide, 2 feet deep, 8 feet tall, and outfitted with the staples (basic rods and shelves) but without doors, which are varied, expensive, and not always necessary.

Turns out, creating a stylish little place for your beloved Manolos can be surprisingly affordable, no matter what your style.

Classic

California Closets put the closet business on the map. Now they also transform garages and basements into rec rooms and wine cellars, but they still do one classy closet.

Upgrades

Specialty wood veneer finishes. Extending valet bars. Scarf racks. Tie racks. Hidden jewelry drawers with locks.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

California Closets, 1660 Soldiers Field Road
Brighton,617-254-0499
www.californiaclosets.com

California Closets – Virtuoso is coming!

CHANGING THE CLOSET INDUSTRY

A while back, the two partners of a very large and prominent furniture retailer installed California Closets in their home. They were so pleased that they asked the designer if she thought that California Closets would consider partnering with them and maybe putting some displays in their stores.

When this was considered later, the realization came to them that our product in the bedroom was going to most certainly cut into the sales of bedroom furniture. Who needs wardrobes, bureaus, and entertainment centers from a furniture store when California Closets can design and customize a system to your specifications? We transformed the bedroom and now with Virtuoso we are taking another step toward even more elegance and simplicity.

NEW PRODUCTS AND CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

We have always worked to be at the leading edge in new product development. Earlier this year we introduced a new line of finishes imported from Italy. This new product with its eco-friendly composition and textured finish has had unparalleled success as we have continued to re-order container after container. This new product, however, was being utilized in our current design applications and did not represent any type of change to a different design application.

Our current “vertical” system has stood the test of time over the last 30 years and continues to be the standard that all our competitors aspire to copy. We will always carry this design application as it suits the vast majority of our clients storage needs. California Closets is hyperactive when it comes to new product design, and just having the one design approach was not part of our value system. We take our credo very seriously and one of our shared values is “We lead” and it became obvious that something needed to be done to add to our design portfolio – Virtuoso.

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS CORPORATE HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN

Barry Bonds is not in San Francisco hitting homeruns anymore, but California Closets Corporate is on a hot streak. They hit two out of the park with two new technology innovations – our new customer tracking database system and our exclusive designing program. Both these programs enhance the customer experience by aiding in the area of design and client communication. Corporate then hit another homer when they introduced the new Italian product line - Lago. And now: Virtuoso is stepping up to the plate and hitting one out of the park.

Virtuoso is a uniquely different design that comes from a horizontal design orientation. This product line is built in our Italian laminate and its elegant appeal and flexible design make it a winner for that client who is looking for a contemporary design for their storage needs. To be honest, this product line is way beyond just being storage. This will change how you view almost every room in your home.

This new product line recently premiered at our national convention in Las Vegas and was a mammoth smash in every franchise ballpark. Bus shuttles were used to bring convention attendees to the Las Vegas franchise’s showroom where Virtuoso was on display. The response was incredible.

Everyone wanted to be first on the list to help roll out this new line. We, here in the New England area, with our engaging personalities and persuasive capabilities convinced the corporate powers that with our 6 showrooms and discerning client base, we should be getting this product ASAP. They agreed.

VIRTUOSO – FIRST IN OUR BOSTON SHOWROOM

In late October, we will premier a display of this new elegant and innovative product. The corporate people will descend on Boston and install and train our design and installation teams. We will be certified to roll this out beginning in early November. Our clients want options – and Virtuoso will provide this.

Our New England designers attended the convention and were able to sneak some pictures of the Las Vegas Showroom and the Virtuoso designs. We are displaying some of these pictures in this blog entry, (bootleg pictures of Virtuoso on this blog – we are edgy!) Some of our more boisterous designers have mentioned this product launch to customers and there is a waiting list already.

If you are designing, renovating or building a new house or condo, please contact us so that we can show you how the new Virtuoso line can fit into your plans. The possibilities for transforming your home are endless.

Look for more updates on the launch of Virtuoso. We are very excited about this new product line and there is this new line because: “We lead.”

Ken Cleary – President, California Closets New England