If you thought Ashley Park’s Emily in Paris character, Mindy Chen, had a lot of clothes, step into the actor’s own closet. Her wardrobe—and, specifically, her shoe collection—is epic. Naturally it deserved a space that was up to par. Starting from a blank canvas was intimidating, which is why she called on Havenly lead designer Kelsey Fischer for help, because storing her clothes was only one part of the picture.
Park also needed the room to function as a glam area and an office—a “cloffice,” as she prefers to call it. “My main goal for the space was for it to have a serene and calming vibe that is conducive to feeling like an efficient and exciting place to work in,” she says.
Step one? Call up California Closets to outfit the space with tons of storage, and also carve out a vanity area where Park can get her hair and makeup done. Then it was all about making the setting comfortable enough to hang out in for hours. Because oftentimes, that’s how the day plays out for the star, who just wrapped the first half of her press tour for season four of the series. “When I’m amid busy times like that, I love that this glam cloffice feels like a workspace apart from my own home, but [also] a home for the people on my team,” she says. Ahead, Park and Fischer take us behind the scenes of the makeover, plus Park reveals the updates that help keep her organized.
The Trick That Makes Packing 10x Faster
For anyone who is constantly on the go like Park, dedicate a few drawers to your packing/unpacking routine. Along with nooks for swimwear, socks, makeup, skin care, and hair accessories, her vanity unit has a drawer that’s just for her “kit,” which holds many of the tools she travels with (think: safety pins, wrinkle spray, and double-sided tape). By keeping these miscellaneous items together, packing for a work trip is a simple matter of scooping everything out.
“I am a geek for organization hacks, so I am always experimenting in those drawers,” says Park. “There’s definitely a drawer of candy (especially Sour Patch Kids) for extra bursts of energy.”
The Antidote for Bent Boots
Not everything in a closet can neatly hang on a rack. With the California Closets team, Fischer and Park incorporated slanted, open shoe shelves so she can quickly grab heels without opening up a door. The genius addition? Extra-tall slots for boots that are just wide enough to prevent them from toppling over.
Even Park’s wide-brim hats that would otherwise get bent out of shape inside a cabinet rest on hooks. But what she really appreciates is how easily she can style a look. “I love the small pegs that come out of the closet to hang just a couple of outfits for upcoming events or outings,” she says.
To achieve the serene vibe Park was after, Fischer lined the windows with sheer linen curtains that match the sandy hue of the Alabaster walls and the Sarah Sherman Samuel x Lulu and Georgia rug. But she didn’t stop there: An additional panel doubles as a divider between the dressing area and lounge. “It adds a practical touch by providing privacy when there’s a team of people helping Ashley get ready,” says the designer.
The Camera-Ready Lighting
No surprise here: Park knows good (and bad) lighting when she sees it, and for this space, it was all about finding balance. Strips line the cabinets and shoe shelves, allowing her to clearly see her belongings, while similar LEDs adorn the vanity mirror, making her glam team’s lives much easier. When it came to overhead fixtures, they avoided harsh shadows by setting the recessed bulbs on dimmers and relying on the dappled glow of a rattan pendant lamp in the sitting area.
The Stain-Resistant Sofa That’s Hard to Resist
Any hardworking “cloffice” needs a cozy couch, at least if you’re a Hollywood actor who doesn’t abide by a 9-to-5. Fischer and Park landed on one from Interior Define’s Hayley collection in a camel performance velvet that, according to the designer, “is great for handling any stray bronzer or hair gel.”
“Yes, I have napped on it,” admits Park. “Sometimes I have to purposely not sit on it because I know it will be a while before I want to get up again.”
