The Downtown Dreamer Project
Charleston is known for its character-packed homes, and the Downtown Dreamer is no exception. With a prime location on Rutledge Street, this gorgeous family home puts our clients in the heart of everything the city offers.
Curating the Perfect Products
While we love a good Target find, our elevated approach to curating products draws from both beloved home favorites and an exclusive network of brands, designers, and stockists. The result? A space that is uniquely yours, with every last drawer and shelf styled to your preferences and every zone designed to work together to create a functional home.
Our process is intentional, requiring weeks of preparation before arriving on site. We’re proud to employ a full-time team of experts dedicated solely to finding and procuring the perfect products for every project.
Meet the Product & Special Services Team
The items you choose to surround yourself with at home can make all the difference between a living space and a carefully curated sanctuary. Under the direction of our Product & Special Services Manager, Devon Yeoman, our product experts work hard to stay on top of lifestyle trends and emerging brands and source personalized finds for client homes.
PRODUCT PROCUREMENT PROCESS
Through an in-depth Product Design Meeting, our team digs deep to understand everything about your family, lifestyle, and home vision:
An inventory of current belongings
An overview of family goals and routines
Any allergens and environmental considerations
Preferences for design styles, colors, and textures
Detailed measurements of rooms and built-ins
Using that information, our team gets to work on the procurement, shipping, quality control, and delivery of all materials. As our organizers work to put together zones and hubs, we’ll test out products to find the perfect fit, handling any needed returns and exchanges along the way.
Some of our favorites for the Downtown Dreamer include:
Creating a Functional Home
The main goal for this home was to create storage space that kept things clean and visible for seamless family routines and upkeep. Our clients enjoy a minimalist and clean aesthetic, so this project offered an excellent opportunity for our team to show that it’s not about how many products you bring into the home but ensuring everything has a designated place with clear categories and boundaries.
The Kitchen
When thinking about organizing under a sink, maximize possibilities by utilizing the interior side of cabinets. This is a simple but impactful choice that can make all the difference. This adhesive stick-on paper towel holder is a go-to for our projects. It keeps this essential within quick reach but also tucked away out of site for a streamlined look. Clear acrylic turntables and bins keep categories clear and visually accessible for getting to the right product quickly.
The secret to a well-organized drawer? Less is more. We used expandable drawer organizers in complementary wood tones to keep categories clearly defined and make items easy to grab at a glance. We paired ingredients and appliances to create intuitive zones—like the supplements and blender accessories in the Smoothie Zone—that make morning routines and meal prep a breeze.
PRO TIP: When editing items for your drawers, try keeping less-used belongings higher up. You’ll appreciate having your go-to essentials close by when cooking or entertaining.
The Pantry
The pantry in this home used to be an office, but being near the kitchen meant a lot of noise and foot traffic. Turning the room into a pantry effectively uses the space, extending the organization possibilities from the kitchen into additional custom storage and built-ins so nothing feels crowded. Natural light from the large window and light-toned finishes give an airiness and energy to the tucked-away space.
Wood and brass organizing product from The Neat Method anchors the room and coordinates with fixtures.
Whipping up a delicious dessert has never been more efficient! The pantry is equipped with an additional sink and ample workspace, making it ideal for dedicated baking and meal prep zones. This thoughtful setup allows our clients to keep all their ingredients within the pantry, eliminating the need to transport items back and forth to the kitchen.
We used trusted Home Edit canisters for decanting and Linus bins for organizing appliance parts that easily get jumbled in a cabinet. This space is now stocked, organized, and ready for use!
Another example of how we utilize interior cabinet real estate with adhesive stick-on solutions!
THE RULE OF THREE
When it comes to pantries, we recommend implementing the “Rule of Three” to create a space that is both aesthetically cohesive and functional. Organizational product is centered around three tones:
A base tone to provide the mood.
An accent tone to allow style.
A functional tone (acrylic or glass) to support specific food storage needs.
Neat Method bins check the boxes for our Rule of Three: they fill the visual majority with tones in warm woods and brass. Coordinated brass magnetic labels have clean lines and are easy to use. Walnut wood risers and turntables act as an accent tone, and our favorite Home Edit canisters provide functional, decanted food storage organization.
The Laundry Room
We can’t get over this laundry room! Every detail is chic and functional, from the beautiful marble countertop to a hidden sink. We made the most of the layout organizing this room, adding designated zones for hanging items, laundry baskets, and a deep backstock of cleaning and laundry supplies.
Large glass jars are an aesthetically pleasing solution to corralling the small things in a more streamlined way. Laundry rooms are a popular space to designate a cleaning hub, which requires plenty of storage for cleaning supplies. In the Downtown Dreamer, we stocked up on our client’s go-to staples to create a deep backstock, using spaces like under the sink for deep bins categorized by use. Running a home can be overwhelming, so choosing the same linens—towels, sheets, etc.—throughout your home helps simplify the cleaning and upkeep.
PRO TIP: Keeping a deep stock of your favorite staples will save you money in the long run and help you avoid mindless purchases.
The Mudroom
We absolutely love the extensive customization found throughout this home. Every corner is tailored to perfection. The Mudroom—it's the epitome of efficiency, accommodating everything from birthday supplies to household tools. They've truly maximized every square inch of space. From the clever pull-out drawer dog bowls to the ample cabinetry providing plenty of storage, no detail has been overlooked.
Pro Tip: when strategizing the layout of your home, consider how your family functions best. For instance, it may be most practical to store your sunglasses by the backdoor for effortless access, rather than within your closet.
The Office
We love an opportunity to work in an office space an entire family uses because we know the systems and solutions we implement will make a huge impact on the household. Typically, an office space turns into a catch all very quickly and it’s not long before no one even uses the space. The goal for this space was to create very clear boundaries. Even the slightest addition of a hook for the kids headphones will prevent one more item from cluttering up the desk.
By having clear categories and designated spots for each item, it not only streamlines organization but also instills a sense of responsibility and accountability in the household members. Our secret weapon to micro-categorizing? The Home Edit tall organizers. Trust us, you'll want several for every space in your home!
Primary Suite
The Primary Suite is the perfect blend of relaxation and peace while also acting as a functional space that supports their busy lifestyle. The bathroom and closets operate seamlessly to provide both comfort and efficiency, ensuring that every aspect of daily life is managed with ease and style.
Primary bathroom
We cannot get enough of this gorgeous bathroom. Given the family's frequent travels to various properties, having a well-organized backstock of favorite beauty products and essentials was essential. Daily use items are conveniently located at her vanity, while travel essentials and overflow are neatly organized in cabinets with well-defined boundaries.
Primary Closet
In the primary closet, dedicated travel zones were established for easy grab-and-go access, and we also implemented the right systems for handling tasks like returns. There's nothing better than a simple space that functions seamlessly, offering both elegance and practicality.
Children’s Spaces
It's often surprising how much kids crave orderly spaces, and even more surprising is how capable they are of maintaining them. With clear boundaries, well-labeled storage, and simple systems in place, children can thrive in environments that are organized and structured.
We relied on our tried-and-true iDesign drawer inserts in both bathroom vanities to keep categories contained and make things easily visible to the kids. They come in packs of three and fit most drawers like a glove. In the closets, we included bins for Memories and Special Occasions at the top, a must for children’s spaces.
PRO TIP: Trays are a great way to create boundaries on open counter space, keep items contained, and add a pop of character or style.
The Gym
The workout room is well-stocked and spacious. The family is committed to non-toxic living, so the room’s water bottle fridge is outfitted with glass reusable bottles.
Photos for this project were captured by Willie from Willie C. Simmons Photography.
Experience home organization at the highest level
Our Signature Home Organizing package is perfect if you're looking to feel at home in your space. Paired with our concierge Fresh Starts service, your home will be fully stocked and organized, allowing you to enjoy it from day one. Click below to schedule your complimentary, in-home consultation today.