Practical Magic

“If you want to improve your life immediately, clean out a closet,” Cheryl Richardson—the Oprah-endorsed life coach and bestselling author of The Art of Extreme Self-Care and Life Makeovers, among many others—once said. “Often what we hold onto holds us back.”

Of course, in our hustle, bustle age, accomplishing this can be easier said than done—that is, unless you have a visionary ally like Julie Shvedyuk on your side.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much a well-designed space can change their daily routine,” Shvedyuk, the California Closets Miami vice president of operations, tells AQUA Miami. “When something as simple as your closet works better, your mornings start smoother, your home feels calmer, and everything just flows a little easier.”

And from custom closets, Murphy beds, and bookshelves to pantries and smaller spaces, Shvedyuk and California Closets—which launched nearly 50 years ago in its namesake state but now has a (calming, streamlining) presence in locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean—is devoted to making that organizational flow state accessible. “We believe home is more than just a place—it should be a meaningful source of creativity, comfort, and connection,” the company’s official website reads. “California Closets creates highly personalized organizational solutions for the whole home. We call it ‘Practical Magic’,” Shvedyuk says.

Origins

Originally from Ukraine, Shvedyuk immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in New York. In many ways, the writing was already on the wall. 

“I’ve always been drawn to design and the idea of making spaces feel better and more functional,” Shvedyuk says. “Even as a child, I loved rearranging rooms, organizing things, helping my friends with their renovations, and paying attention to the little details that make a home feel calm and beautiful.”

She adds: “I’m not sure my parents would have predicted this exact career path, but they always encouraged hard work and creativity. In many ways, what I do today reflects both—building something, solving problems, and helping people improve their homes and daily lives.”

Here’s how she got from here to there: Shvedyuk moved to Florida after college to build a career—fell in love with South Florida living, and never left. Nearly eight years ago, she joined forces with California Closets, where, in addition to her duties as vice president of operations, she also oversees marketing and trade development.

“What initially drew me [to California Closets] was the design aspect and the reputation the brand has for quality,” she says. “But what kept me here for almost eight years is the impact we’re able to have on people’s homes. In other words, the job allows her to channel the same passions she has pursued since childhood every single day. “We’re not just designing closets,” she says. “We’re helping people rethink how their homes function and creating spaces that make their lives easier…Life is busy, and our homes should make things easier—not more stressful. When spaces are disorganized or poorly designed, it adds unnecessary friction to everyday routines.”

The Art of the Closet

“At its core, a great closet is designed around the person using it,” Shvedyuk says. “It should feel intuitive, efficient, and visually calming. Everything should have a place, and the layout should make daily routines easier rather than more complicated.”

There are a few factors that go into achieving this. First, be here, now: “[In this career] I’ve learned the importance of listening,” Shvedyuk says. “Every client, every home, and every lifestyle is different, and the best designs always come from truly understanding how people live.” Second, state of the art technology, beginning with proprietary 3D software that helps clients create a detailed, kinetic virtual model of their custom solution to premium materials—“Our thoughtfully sourced and composed palette of fine finishes and saturated colors expresses our design sensibility and deep commitment to exceptional quality,” the official website notes—to screen-to-machine technology and German machinery that ensures each unique design is meticulously crafted to a “T.”

For Miami residents, it certainly doesn’t hurt that California Closets operates a fully functional, spacious luxury showroom on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami Shores. 

“Our process starts with really understanding how someone lives: their habits, their routines, what frustrates them about their current space,” Shvedyuk says. “Then we design solutions that support their lifestyle. It’s a mix of functionality, organization, and design that ultimately helps simplify their day-to-day life.”

Of course, creating a great closet is, ultimately, not solely about process, but also philosophy. 

“Customization is important, but the real foundation is understanding someone’s lifestyle and designing a space that supports it,” Shvedyuk says. That’s the beauty of a California closets system: it caters to every individual and every space.” 

A Bright Future

California Closets is continuing to grow and expand in South Florida. “Which is really exciting,” Shvedyuk says. “Our Miami franchise just took over Broward County, so we will be expanding our service from Monroe County through Broward with our sister company in Palm Beach.” 

As Victor Hugo wrote, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”

“The way people think about storage has evolved—it’s no longer just closets,” Shvedyuk says. “We’re designing full-home solutions like pantries, home offices, bars, playrooms, media rooms, and multifunctional spaces. It’s been really exciting to be part of that growth and help shape how people think about organization and design in their homes…One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how much our environments affect how we feel and function every day. A well-designed space can genuinely change how someone experiences their home.

Like her products, Shvedyuk strives to maintain balance in her life off the clock. “Outside of work, my biggest focus is my family,” she says. “I’m married and have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, so a lot of my time is spent enjoying those moments together. Living in South Florida also makes it easy to spend time outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. I’ve always enjoyed staying active and, of course, I still naturally gravitate toward design and home projects whenever I can.”

What does Shvedyuk’s closet look like?

“My own closet is actually pretty simple and very functional,” she says. “I like things to feel clean, organized, and easy to maintain. With a busy schedule, having a system where everything has its place makes getting ready much easier.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much lighter people feel when their spaces are organized and intentional,” she continues. When everything has a place, it removes a lot of the small daily frustrations we don’t always realize are there. Personally, it’s made me appreciate simplicity more in my own home, especially now as a mom. Having systems that keep things organized makes life with a busy schedule—and a toddler—a lot easier.”