Before & After: Turret turned into walk-in closet

The challenge: Convert an unfinished turret into a master bedroom closet.

The designer: Chris McGuire, project manager, Vujovich Design Build, Minneapolis, 612-338-2020, www.vujovich.com.

Here, there and everywhere: Like many older homes, the 1891 Queen Anne Victorian in Minneapolis had very few closets and all of them were tiny — including the one in the master bedroom. "Our clothes and shoes were in closets all over the house," said homeowner Heather Moga, "including our kids' closets."

Moga's husband, Frank, suggested converting the third-floor turret, which was cold, uninsulated and being used as attic storage space, into a master bedroom closet.

Functional and roomy: McGuire gutted the space and added spray-foam insulation. "We used lath and plaster in the walls because drywall wouldn't work, and it fit with the historic house," he said. McGuire also raised the attic ceiling inside the turret from 8 to 12 feet to make it feel more grand, airy and open, he said. The shape of the space turned out to be a plus: "It's round, so it's easy to see everything," said Moga.

Unique system: The turret's circular shape required a curved curtain rod that somehow had to be suspended from a sloped ceiling. The specialized rod system involved bending two pieces of 1-inch steel rod and attaching them to the wall with support brackets. The rod is able to hold the weight of clothing, thanks to cable supports attached to the sloped ceiling. "It's pretty cool to have a curved rod in there," said Moga. "My son's room had a curved curtain rod, so we thought why not a curved clothes rod?"

Creative cabinets: The 120-square-foot closet is outfitted with cherry wood storage cabinets, designed to be custom-built into the curved wall. The baseboard wood was steamed and bent.

Let there be light: McGuire installed a new energy-efficient insert into the only existing window, which is small and near the floor. For more clothes-hunting light, he added a ceiling-fan light fixture.

Doorway cubbies: "There was awkward lost space where the turret connected to the house," said McGuire, referring to the closet entrance. "The cabinetmakers created shoe shelves tucked into the wall."

Winter warmth: The light-stained birch floors are warmed with electric mat in-floor heat. "This was a simple solution for a heat source, and it feels nice in the morning on your bare feet," said McGuire.

Best part: "I don't own a lot of shoes," said Moga, "But I like being able to find them."

Lynn Underwood • 612-673-7619

SHARE YOUR PROJECT To submit Before and After photos of a redecorated or remodeled room for consideration, please send uncompressed jpeg images to kim.palmer@startribune.com. Please include your name and number.