The Hang of It

Is your closet a disaster? Are you a fashion maven whose wardrobe is a mess?

If organization is missing from your closet, then it’s a classic case for Barbara King of Costa Mesa.

King, owner of Barbara’s Classic Closet, will take inventory, then help you get the most out of your wardrobe and closet.

King has a background in fashion. She has worked with Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren. And she has a keen sense of organization.

Once the review is completed, she says, “I can show clients how to create new outfits from what they already have. Typically, my clients get 70% more use after a consultation.”

King provides clients with a list of what they need to round out their wardrobes. She’ll shop for the missing items and show clients how to hang clothes properly (no wire hangers).

For those items that are no longer needed, King suggests which ones should go to charity and which ones to take to consignment shops. Selling clothes “is a way for clients to make some of their money back,” says King, who charges $55 an hour, with a four-hour minimum.

For more information, call (714) 631-4510.

A Spot for Tea

If you need inspiration to set up a tea room, the McCharles House Tea Room in Tustin should stir up a few ideas.

The restored cottage, built in 1885, is profiled in the February issue of Victorian Homes magazine, published by Y-Visionary Publishing in Orange.

The small restaurant, owned by Audrey and Vivian Heredia, has an enclosed garden full of flowers and fountains that are as soothing as chamomile tea. Inside, rooms are brimming with period antiques. A gift shop sells tea accessories, from pots to warmers.

The McCharles House Tea Room is at 335 S. C St. in Old Town Tustin. For more information, call (714) 731-4063.

Pot Holders

Need help keeping an eye on your plants and pots?

Pot Peepers, the latest creation from the Fringe Gallery in Laguna Beach, are animal heads that appear to be crawling in or out of their soil surroundings.

The whimsical characters (about $8 each), designed by artist David Tongas, are made of poly porcelain and are hand-painted.

There are eight characters available: Bill the bird, Nel the snail, Fern the flamingo, Gil the gator, Chuck the chimp, Stretch the giraffe, Art the bird, Zeke the zebra and Tom the toad.

Call (800) 909-5558 for the nearest retailer.