Designing for a high-ranking executive with specific physical requirements requires a balance of spatial engineering and material selection. Patty Miller, of P Miller Luxury Closets Inc., recently received an Honorable Mention at the 2025 Top Shelf Design Awards for “The Polo Lounge,” a project that navigated a restrictive, narrow footprint to create a functional men’s dressing room.

The project, entered in the laminate closet category for spaces under 18 linear feet, was inspired by the aesthetic of classic men’s lounges and the timeless elegance of Ralph Lauren. Miller utilized a mix of textures and finishes to move away from the standard utility of a storage space, aiming instead for a tailored look.

Tailored for modern living

The project’s success lies in its textures. Miller departed from monochromatic schemes by mixing warm woodgrains with cool, heathered tones. The cabinetry boxes and shelving feature Tafisa’s “Apres’ Ski” finish, providing a sturdy, traditional foundation. This is contrasted by shaker-style door and drawer fronts in Finsa’s “Espiga Pimienta,” a finish that mimics the tactile quality of a bespoke tweed suit.

“The goal was to create a space that felt like the pages of a well-worn novel,” said Miller. “We wanted to evoke the understated charm of a classic wardrobe retreat while maintaining the functionality required by a busy executive.”

Every detail was curated to enhance the “art of dressing.” A custom leather countertop adds a masculine, organic element to the center of the space, while Top Knobs Amwell pewter handles provide a subtle, industrial weight to the cabinetry.

Engineering for scale

The primary challenge of the project was the client’s physical stature. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches with size 15 shoes, the user required dimensions that exceeded industry standards. Miller addressed this by extending the shoe shelf depth to 15 inches, rather than the standard 14 inches.

“The custom drilling and placement of rods was crucial due to his height,” Miller said. “In a long, narrow space, we had to ensure there were no holes for adjustability in the double hanging units to maintain a clean look, while keeping them in the shelving section for shoes and folded items.”

To address the narrow dimensions of the room, Miller installed a floor-to-ceiling mirror framed in cabinetry material at the far end of the space. This was intended to reflect the available light and create the visual impression of a wider corridor.

Material selection and technical details

The color palette relies on a contrast between warm woodgrains and cool-toned textiles. The cabinetry boxes and structural shelving use Tafisa’s “Apres’ Ski” woodgrain, while the shaker-style door and drawer fronts feature Finsa’s “Espiga Pimienta,” a tweed-textured finish.

Miller added a 1.25-inch grey umber buffalo leather countertop from EcoDomo to provide a durable, masculine surface. To illuminate this work area, she integrated Richelieu puck lights.

“To hide the wires and prevent the lights from protruding into the upper cabinet, I added a shelf below so the wires could be sandwiched between and run behind the back panel to an outlet,” Miller said.

The architectural finishing involved a custom fascia and base that wrapped the entire room. Instead of a standard flush-to-ceiling application, Miller designed a 3/4-inch reveal above the cabinet. Achieving this across the walls required a technical workaround: 1/4-inch-thick melamine strips were placed behind the fascia to maintain a consistent line throughout the room.

The final interior features include black velvet-lined inserts for ties and timepieces, along with Richelieu chrome rods and valet bars, completing a space designed to meet the client’s specific ergonomic needs.

RESOURCES

Buffalo Leather Countertop
EcoDomo
ecodomo.com

Apres’ Ski Panels & Shelving
Tafisa 
tafisa.ca

Espiga Pimienta Shaker Fronts
Finsa 
finsa.com

Amwell Pewter Handles
Top Knobs
topknobs.com

Puck Lights & Chrome Rods 
Richelieu  
richelieu.com