Custom Closet Recommendation

I like Elfa from Container Store. A future owner can easily tweak it to suit their needs and all the parts are readily available. It goes on sale every so often too.

I used California Closets on the UES for my walk-in closet. Price was very reasonable - around $3,200 total for a 5' x 5' walk-in closet with all sorts of drawers, shelves, poles, etc. It looks professional and custom (and it is), rather than modular and store-bought, which makes a huge impression. And the closet designer - Goldie Berkowitz - is an absolute legend in these circles. I mean, she walked into our closet with an iPad and within 5 minutes had worked up a design that still blows my mind. If you went with fewer bells and whistles, I suspect it would be considerably less expensive.

We're thinking of using http://www.transformhome.com anyone on her used them or have feedback from bad experience?

Or want to recommend another custom closet provider? MUST be one with doors etc, cant stand "reach in" closets, look way too messy and we have the space for it so looking for a really nice design.

deanc, I used TransForm about a year ago for 4 closets when I gut renovated an Upper West Side coo[. Having seen their ads in New York Magazine, I've always been intrigued by them. I also went to check out California Closets, on the Upper East Side and even met with Goldie Berkowitz, referenced in roje12's comment, but I didn't feel drawn to her or the place, although I know so many friends and family who love, love C. Closets, so it could just be me. In the end I chose TransForm because they said you can get wider drawers and more customization than CC has. And my closets are quirkily shaped. I didn't compare CC and TransForm prices, though.. TransForm says they are "comparable" to CC. Their showroom is at 200 Lexington and is very clean and modern. My only criticism is, while they swore that their least experienced designer has 5 years minimum experience, they assigned me someone who had only worked there for a few months and at the beginning his measurements were sloppy. (e.g., he had the clothes rod wayyyy higher than I could ever reach. Turned out to be a typo, but jeez, he should have flagged that.) The upside of this is that because he was new, he was being monitored by the most senior designer so for the entire project I was getting actually more attention than I would have with him on his own. He ultimately turned out to be excellent and I'm pleased with the work. Installers were terrific.

Right or wrong, TransForm's attitude is that California Closets trains salespeople to become designers, whereas TransForm takes interior designers and trains them to sell. True? False? I think whoever you choose you need to make sure all measurements are double and triple-checked and that you feel comfortable with your designer. If you're considering CC or TransForm, both companies (at least a year ago they both said this) will come and visit your apartment and draw up a proposal at no charge.

P.S., dean c -- Just noticed you mentioned DOORS. My closet doors were refurbished by my contractor's door guy, plus I had some new ones put in. So can't vouch for TransForm's door work -- I think they have a secondary company that does the doors, but am not sure. I just looked at recent YELP reviews for both CC and TransForm and there are some lousy ones there for both companies. It's a crap shoot, I guess.