My Saturday morning online shopping tradition has been stunted by my internal common sense screaming, “you only have two weeks until you move in…live there before you buy one more thing.” But that doesn’t mean I don’t pin, narrow down, think, mentally decorate, etc. Besides, you can put a good bench or console in so many places so if I found a great one on FB marketplace I think it would still be a sound purchase (not sure if that is the vintage shopping addict talking or my common sense – Who knows?)
The Entry: When We Bought The House
I don’t think I’ve had a self-contained entry before and I like how clear its purpose is. This room will greet you (which is why I want it to be really beautiful, not just a bunch of shoe bins) and needs to be a good coat zone for guests but otherwise, very little time is spent in here before you immediately go right into the living room. So it needs to make an impact, set the tone, and function with some storage.
It’s a nice little space that will likely serve as a drop zone. My fear is that the kids are going to use the back kitchen door as their drop zone unless I use my hard-core parenting manipulation/bribery skills to change their patterns. And if you live in CA you might think, what’s the big deal with going through the kitchen door? But what you’ll quickly learn is that kids here are trained to take off shoes and coats almost immediately upon entering and if there isn’t a system, they will literally just DROP everything. And that is not acceptable in that dreamy kitchen corner (don’t worry, I’m designing it to withstand some dropping but no, I do not want it to be our dedicated drop zone). Anyway, my plan is to lock the kitchen door with a sign that says, “head to the mudroom, put shoes/coat away, and earn yourself a jelly bean.” Maybe after a few weeks, they’ll just automatically do it? Pavlov’s dog? I think I should write a parenting book.
Then recently I realized that the front door (where we are today) is actually pretty close to the back entrance (the closest from their school path) so maybe this is the daily drop zone? And oddly I’m fine with that because at least it’s a contained space and really only needs to look super styled out for guests. That’s all to say we aren’t sure how much of a drop zone this area needs to be. I’m hoping it’s just a coat rack, a boot tray outside where it’s covered, then a bench or a table for potential purse/keys. But I don’t really know…
Entry Mid-Renovation
So as you can see we installed the most beautiful window ever, custom designed with Sierra Pacific. It’s just so pretty. So whatever we have we need it to be pretty shallow – 18″ is the total depth of the nook and for the length we have a total of 84″ I’m thinking somewhere between 55″-72″ for whatever piece of furniture we choose (but maybe even smaller, again I need to try a piece and see how it feels).
I really don’t want anything to obstruct this view – no bench arm or table edge to be seen from the living room. Instead, I want it tucked inside that nook (again this is just my current opinion that can change). I’m thinking of a coat rack or hook on the left and/or a beautiful airy tree that climbs over the window. In this house, I’m really trying to keep sight lines pretty clean (something we’ve really enjoyed at the mountain house). The window is the focal point from the living room so I don’t want to distract from it. BTW I’m just now noticing that the sconce isn’t centered on the wall between the entry and the stairs but Jamie has already moved it, don’t worry.
If you are wondering why the baseboard and casing are blue here it’s because we thought we wanted them all to be before we realized that well, we didn’t like it AT ALL (so yes, we wasted a 1/2 day of painting labor and some gallons). It’s a great color, (Upward by Sherwin-Williams) but too twee for down here and ultimately we just want white and wood and color in the furniture/decor. I actually really like it in this shot, but once you get into the living room it’s just too much and really detracted from what we love – the wood flooring, wood windows, natural light, and sense of openness and space.
So here, below, are all the benches that I have pinned, none of which have been purchased yet. What you’ll notice is that most of these have a very minimal arm – i.e. not sticking too far into the room’s view. Not all of these would work size-wise, but I really like them all for different reasons.
1. Dexter Outdoor 60 in Bench | 2. Millbrook Bench | 3. Pali Black Wood Dining Bench | 4. Windsor Bench | 5. Marissa Bench | 6. Lanae Bench | 7. Chrissy 57″ Indoor/Outdoor Teak Dining Bench | 8. Eastward Bench | 9. Continuous Arm Bench
#8 was my pick from this group (it’s just so pretty) and if it doesn’t go here it might work somewhere else. But then I thought that if we do a bench here maybe a rounded back (like #9) could work…
1. Laney Bench | 2. Kalle Sculptural Oak Dining Bench | 3. Henrik Bench
I love #1 even though I know it’s super trendy. It just feels so solid and grounding. I might put this in my kitchen window (by the back door).
1. Nickey Kehoe Swiss Back Bench | 2. Eunice Bench | 3. Edo Bench | 4. Sienna Leather Bench | 5. Kyoto Bench | 6. Oxbend Bench
Originally I was going to get #6 (and still might), but we bought the counter stools from Fernweh already so I want to live with them before we commit to adding another one of their pieces in the next room (we’d get it in walnut, not black like our stools). Real big fan of #1 but it comes with a hefty price tag. So instead I searched for antique versions on 1stDibs (which also came with a big price tag and found a few).
1. Italian High Back Bench | 2. Mid Century Style Wing Settee by Lost City Arts | 3. Italian Style Settee by Lost City Arts
For a hot second, I entertained the idea of a very slim upholstered high back bench – almost like a statement settee. Not totally sure why, but I do really love these – all armless and super shallow so technically they fit the dimensions, and boy would they be a statement walking in, but they don’t ultimately feel right (I also wouldn’t order these as they are a fortune, instead using them for inspiration to custom make something).
1. Rustic Chajul Bench With Tall Scalloped Back | 2. Pair of American Modernist Shaker-Inspired Benches | 3. 19th Century Black Swedish Gustavian FÅLLBÄNK, Antique Pinewood Fall Bench | 4. Bench Swedish 19th Century Bench | 5. Antique American Pine Deacon’s Bench | 6. Hand Painted European Bench
Not going to lie, #6 gets me so excited. I LOVE an old folk art painted piece. I like all of these for different reasons and yet none of them feel quite right, but figured it would be fun to show you what was on my pinboard.
Right before I published this post I showed Brian all the options (I left this one off because it’s $8,200 but if I could have any bench this would be it – see below). Brian’s reaction to my pinboard was like, “Sure I like them, but maybe you’ll want a console instead?” I was like immediately defensive until I realized he’s probably right. I think what happened is that I fell in love with the O&G bench, it’s such a beautiful statement. Feast your eyes on this:
I pictured a piece of art above it and was like, “Boom. There, the entry has been nailed.” The joy I would feel daily by seeing that piece of art (the bench, not the actual art above) checked so many mental boxes. But due to its price, we knew that it wasn’t where we’d spend money. So I searched long and hard to find a more affordable version and definitely found some great ones, but I think I forgot to explore other pieces of furniture altogether because I just had “bench” in my brain. I’ve done this before. I fall in love with something unattainable, and try to find more affordable options instead of thinking about all the other possibilities. It’s a good lesson to be reminded of and ultimately I’m so grateful that this isn’t something we NEED to live in the house and we have time to live there and see what we’ll use the most (bench or console, storage or sculptural?) and then take my time to shop.
*Progress photos by Kaitlin Green
Hmm, I think in Portland I’d want a bench so guests can sit to take off their shoes.
I went through this process about 2 years ago. It seems like the options go straight from Target quality to holy cow expensive quickly.
I ended up buying an Amish made bench that’s not available anymore, but this is similar and you can choose to have arms or not, the stain color and width. The quality of mine is amazing.
https://www.dutchcrafters.com/Amish-Solid-Wood-Buckeye-Bench/p/4507
Not related, but I’ve had that first West Elm bench pinned for a couple years for my porch, and I am 90% certain than it used to cost $399.
Yeah, I agree with this. Especially since it would be fantastic to train the kids to come in from school at the spot where they’ll be dumping all their stuff. Which is the mud room, right?
That is totally it. I had to find a small bench for my kitchen table and I was either looking at fairly cheap or super expensive. No in between. I went with the stride bench from Industry West: https://industrywest.com/collections/benches/products/stride-bench
Some people, like my parents, NEED a place to sit down to put their shoes/boots back on when they are ready to leave because they have balance issues. Not so much when they enter, just when they leave. While I like the console idea, there are some guests who will need to sit and you will be either watching them awkwardly struggle or bringing them a chair to use. If you go the console route, at least have one decorative chair for this. Even my brothers use the entry bench to put their stuff on when they leave and they aren’t elderly.
Hmmm. Maybe a smaller console in the middle with a small chair on either side would do the trick?
Or a console with an ottoman/stool or two underneath is a great option. Looks cool and the ottoman can be pulled out for putting on shoes.
This pic isn’t Emily’s aesthetic, but Just to illustrate what I mean:
As a guest I like to be able to sit, or at least for my kids to sit while we take shoes on and off. A bunch of hooks and a bench seems much more practical to me. Especially in a wintery wet climate. Hooks can be pretty. I bought these wood ones and hung them all on a stain matched board.
Could you drive around the front, drop the kids off near the mudroom, and than go park? I just can’t envision them walking all the way around the house outside in the rain to the mudroom.
I would definitely want a bench, too, for guests to be able put on their shoes. And I loved the vintage benches that you pinned–I think many of them would look great in the farmhouse. Also, glad that you decided against the blue woodwork–too distracting. This farmhouse is going to be a stunner!!
I’m on team bench for shoe removal. I grew up in Seattle and as a kid you just take them on and off without a problem. As a mature (only in age) adult, I’d want a place to sit down to take my shoes on and off on a rainy, muddy day.
Okay, a few things: 1. My 9 year old daughter has seen me reading your blog for years, so she knows who Emily Henderson is. Anyway, she just woke up and walked in as I was reading this post and I was at the picture of you leaning against the wall where you want to put the bench, and she says, “well, she looks very pleased!” 🤣 2. I love the bench options you posted. My favorites are, obv the one you love but costs a fortune, that folk art one from 1st dibs, the anthro one, the fernweh one, and the industry west one. 3. I love your entry space so much! As a Michigander, I totally get the functionality of this. 4. You’re going to love having a bench right there. Back in 2017, when I thought I’d blog a little, I wrote a post about creating an “entryway in our living room because our front door opened right into our living room with no real entry. I traded in a credenza to put a long bench so we had a drop zone, shoe bins under the bench, and a place to sit when removing shoes. It worked… Read more »
That was such a GOOD bench!!
Thanks Jessica, it really was! It was so long and just so functional and perfect. That was actually such a steal off of craigslist for $200. I did a post previous to that one where I looked for a bench for that spot (and posted a bunch of different options just like on this post) but new instead of vintage and they were so much more expensive. I’m seriously kicking myself for selling that now.
I feel you! I’m shocked you sold it & what a bargoooon!
Yep. Sold it for a bargain too because moving was such a chaotic time and I didn’t think I had a place for it. 🤦🏽♀️😭
Okay, this is weird! I didn’t read/know about your blog, but I knew that you created that space?!?
Did you tell us about doing it, here, before now??
Weird, yet hilarious!!!🤣🤣🤣
Unless…maybe I stumbled across your blog and didn’t know it?
I love it, BTW!
Awwww, thanks Rusty! That’s funny, maybe you’ve seen it somewhere in the past, maybe through the blog years ago (that was 5 years ago) or through Instagram, or maybe I’ve possibly linked it here before? Either way, I’m glad you love it, and thank you for your kind words! ♥️
Emily, I sent you a link to the most beautiful bench in your DM’s on Instagram I don’t know if you check them but please do.
Decided to post this here, revealing my secret source for awesome pieces. 😉 This is in Victoria, BC, which is an easy day trip from Portland. I sent this to you in a DM a few days ago before I even knew you were looking for benches – I just thought it would look great somewhere in your house. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg2P4SpP3kP/?hl=en
Wait, Victoria BC is an “easy day trip” from Portland? Try 6 hrs driving one way (if there’s no traffic), plus a ferryboat ride
LOL. I will grant you Canadians may have a different standard for what qualifies as an easy day trip. This is a vast country.
Also I recommend taking the POrt angeles ferry which is a little over 4 hours from Portland.
Aussies think the same way!🤣🤣
Canada is literally equally vast as the US. They are the same size, but without the population density so cities can be much farther apart in Canada. I think this is simply down to what one considers a day trip.
That’s not much more time than driving from Austin to Dallas and we all consider that an easy day trip! Texas is weird that way.
As everyone else is commenting, I think a bench or chair is the most important thing for guests. If you aren’t using this as your main entry, I don’t see that a console is that useful. (And even if it’s the main drop zone for your kids, I don’t see the console as useful. They need some hooks for bags and coats, and maybe something to put mittens and hats in. But a console doesn’t help much with those!)
These are lovely but I want to again shout out to Brad Smith’s furniture, very reasonably priced and handmade in Pennsylvania. Check out the pitchfork benches: https://www.bradfordwoodworking.com/one-of-a-kind-available-now
Love Ilse Crawford’s benches
https://www.thefutureperfect.com/product/furniture/seating/bench-seating/bench-with-back-2/
These are stunning!
While closer than the mudroom, I am concerned that this space is not going to work as a drop zone. First, it is still too far from the main entry point (the kitchen). But also it is too small to not feel cramped. Without a proper closet in there, you’ll wind up with shoes and coats and backpacks constantly in the way. We have hooks in our mudroom but kids often miss the hooks or don’t put everything on them. The gorgeous benches you are looking at are going to get damaged. Also I don’t think you’ll be able to just have a boot tray outside. If we did this (4-season climate with a lot of humidity and precipitation), the boots would never dry.
If looking at that clutter is going to drive you nuts, let this just be a pretty entryway not an ersatz mudroom. (Oh and I agree with all the comments that you’ll need a bench or chair or something wherever your entryway is.)
Yes the first thing I think of with boots outside is mold. And correct me if Im wrong but isn’t there a heated floor in the other entry? So THAT seems like the place for boots.
If you don’t want to see clutter, then hide the clutter … I say build in a shallow closet system . Or use a groovy freestanding wardrobe with doors that shut. A small bench beside it for sitting and dealing with shoes.
Benches and small wardrobes tend to be very easy to find on Craigslist just sayin.’.
I scored a wonderful old wooden church pew at a flea market that we use as our entryway bench. It’s unique, very practical, and I use the space below for storing hats, gloves, and a shoe bin. Plus it was like $75 which is hard to argue with. I also got the history on it from the owner which I LOVE.
What a great idea/solution D!
Yes! And I would always see these on Craigslist for so cheap!
I have an old wooden church pew from my church! It was also like $75 or $100, can’t remember anymore. And even funnier, my coworker came over with her husband and he asked where I got my pew. He had gotten a pew from my church too!
And I also store hats and gloves in baskets under the pew.
I was going to suggest a church pew too.
Many older churches have smaller pews so it wouldn’t take up as much real estate plus someone who has the talent could paint some folk art on the pew in just the colors Emily wants.
Perhaps a custom made museum-quality Windsor bench made by Sawyer Made
https://sawyermade.com/our-chairs/
OMG, this is such a great recommendation. I’ve been looking for an entry bench for years, and this site has exactly what I wanted. No prices listed though. Yikes! I hope it’s not prohibitive.
The Shaker bench is exactly what I envisioned for the farmhouse entry: it has those classic handcrafted details and it’s overly complicated in design and in a color it will make a statement and define the space. https://sawyermade.com/our-chairs/shaker-bench/
I’d love to see it painted in a color, green maybe, or in the light natural wood.
I love #4 from Crate and Barrel. It’s a decent price point and has great lines. You can fit baskets under it for scarves and gloves, etc. Your kids are young and will be coming in with all sorts of stuff and will dump it on any solid surface they find. I think a custom or more expensive piece will stress you out when it gets scratched and/or nicked. Save your sanity!
I would love if you could post a plan of the house showing the outdoor paths that lead to each entry (if you did already I missed it, oops!) Who would likely use which paths? Where would you park your cars? Where would guests park?
Yes. This would be very helpful to see.
Yes, that would be helpful. I can only think that the main entry should be reserved for guests coming in through the front door which means that this entry is not the main drop for kids. I think there is parking just outside the front door, and maybe a circle driveway (?) with more driveway leading to the garage in the back, south and east of the Kitchen. It is a bit confusing with the mudroom tucked away in the back and not close to any of the main doors, though I perfectly understand why it needed to be moved so that the kitchen would have the best light – glorious light! 🙂
If I remember correctly, the kids’ school is walking distance (and possibly adjacent to the farm’s land rather than accessed from the nearest street) so the entry from school may not be dependent on where the parking is located.
So many of us have asked, soooo many times, for the, very standard, “N” to be on all plans.
It’s a fundamental standard and I’ve never understood why it’s not included here. 🤔
Me too Rusty, I asked once in a comment a while back regarding the Farmhouse, I ALWAYS want to know the orientation of places! 🙂
We took the bench out of our entry for about a year and I just put one back in. We are in CO and I have found that especially with snow boots guests will find a place to sit to put them on before they leave. This often looked like taking not yet dry boots into our living room or to the stairs to have a quick seat. Honestly, I sit down on our stairs which are adjacent to the entry to put on my boots too! The bench is worth it to save my rugs!
Whooo! Yaaaaasssss!!!!🤩
In as much as I loved the original window, the new one is gor-ge-ous!!!
I really hope you Pavlov-train Charlie n Birdie to use the mudroom door.
Begin as you intend to proceed. (BTW, food bribes wotk into the teens and perpetually with men and a few others!)🤣
Benchesssssss. I like both the fernmoser; and the thos. moser benches.💞
Practically, having a bench with seat storage like the etsy and 1st Dibs examples is mighty handy too.
I lurrrrve the colourful one for MY house!!
My view is that it’d be lovely to keep it clean-lined… like you said: plant, bench/other item.
I’d hang a bespoke mirror there instead of art, bc it’s great to be able to check yourself just before you open the door to people.
Good call on the mirror! We have one by the door with hooks below it and we use it all the time.
Yup. My entry has a antique Balinese bench, an old Singer sewing machine with little drawers for keys, rose pruners, alarms, flashlight, etc. aaaaand a mirror above that!! Very handy!
My art is on the plate rails.
And a rug.
Rusty do you have a blog? Or on Instagram? I would love to see you and your home and what you do.
Oh, Vicki thank you! 🥰 … I’ve toyed with this idea for sure!
I’m still stitching the pieces of my life together after abuse.
I’m also in deep, volunteering for two organisations, as well. (Old groth forests and domestic abuse survivors)
People here (and on a couple of other blogs) have asked … maybe I should give it more consideration ???🤔
Yes, Rusty I also hope you do! 🙂
The Balinese bench sounds lovely. I am especially smitten with the idea of the sewing machine with the little drawers though!
Yes to all of this! And I too love the mirror idea.
I like the Crate & Barrel one. It’s simple, it’s low enough that you could put coat hooks–or art!–above it, and there’s space underneath for baskets for random stuff (dog leashes, gloves and hats, etc.). The Industry West one is gorgeous, but not super practical (and it seems like you’re leaning practical here).
Sometimes you have to exhaust a “wrong” idea before realizing what is truly right.
I cannot whatsoever account for the why of this inclination (it’s not really my taste!), but I LOVE #2 from “simple statements” and can see at least its shape so well in that space. Eep!
I know you’ve gone through 100 iterations, and you’re nearing/on the finish line on this house, but I’m here to tell you: rethink the kitchen entry/mudroom plan! Is there any way to create a tiny vestibule (like an extended double doorway)? I’m afraid no amount of jelly beans is ever going to make anyone (especially kids!) make a habit of taking the long way around from Point A (car) to Point B (inside the house: drink of water/snack/forgot my bag/gotta pee quick). If you regret not including an shoe/entry solution at the Mountain House, you’ll regret it much more here I think. Maybe you’ve already solved this – you keep alluding to a small drop zone in the kitchen; I hope it works! I don’t think the front/formal entrance offers any solutions since it’s not where everyone will exit the car on a daily basis. I still think the deck mudroom is a great idea for dogs and backyard play, but just think about the dirty boots, the backpacks and lunch boxes, the puffer coats, the wet raincoats, the keys, the purses, the groceries! It’s a lot for a few square feet of a gorgeous kitchen corner to handle!
yep Bench with a small side table
You may want to make a trip to some Pennsylvania antique stores. I’m pretty sure you could find an antique bench similar to what you have shown for a few hundred dollars. You can stay with me if you like! : )
We have a front entry area and garage into the kitchen. Because we are a no shoes house and at the beach I made the garage our major drop zone because it’s where all our shoes are kept, beach and bike stiff, etc. I didn’t want to have 2 drop zones and don’t have a mudroom. I use the front entrance for guests so it can be decorated simply. I think picking one main drop zone and teaching them to use it is key!! How you do that exactly I don’t know!!
Anyway, I love the bench idea for guests! Simple and beautiful! Add a few hooks and a place to put boots!
I think that this main entry should be reserved for guests coming in through the front door which means that this entry is not the main drop zone for kids, and it’s not really the family entry since the kitchen and mudroom will be.
Seating is needed for shoes off and on and I think a chair with a small side table or console, lamp, mirror with a free standing, pretty coat rack would be beautiful and welcoming. I love the idea of a pretty tree framing that gorgeous window!!
My favorites are the benches with some built in storage. We had one in our WI entryway and it was a great place to store off season shoes & hats, a flashlight, etc.
What about a combination bench/console? A custom bench pillow on the top in a fabric/design that reflect your LR colors would tie the rooms together.
Something like this–comes in two different sizes and several different wood tones. https://www.westelm.com/products/anton-solid-wood-entryway-bench-h5897/?catalogId=71&sku=5125977&cm_ven=FreePLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Furniture%20%3E%20Benches®ion_id=477340
AMAZING window. I think you will really want a bench with a low back- see #3 above- and then hooks above it so the kids can hook up their backpacks and jackets, and then seperate baskets for each person’s shoes under the bench. I know you have a whole other mud room, but if this is the drop zone it’s function over form.
I love the Thos. Moser Eastward Bench. It’s the one we have planned for the backdoor entry into our kitchen. But a console would look nice and have some function, too. If you go with a console, then you need to at least have a chair if you are asking guests to remove shoes. I find it cumbersome when I go to friends’ homes who don’t have a place to sit to remove my shoes. And I bet you see cool single chairs all the time during vintage shopping (I know I do, especially when I’m looking for a pair or set of 4).
I love your beautiful window, what a wow it is! I have a bench, handmade very rustic found at a magazine prop sale, I cover it in soft curly Mongolian lambskin in Midwest winter months, so it’s a nice cozy place to come in and sit and take off boots. I also have a small lamp on a dimmer sitting on a small bookcase with a stained glass door. I like having a soft glow in the entrance when I come home in the eve and it draws the eye to that area and makes my small condo appear a little larger. It is so much fun to follow along on this project! Thanks
Honestly, until I figured out how the house actually winds up working, I wouldn’t spend the big $$, I’m also drawn to the curvier designs, with that big geometric window taking precedence. So I’d go for the PB bench, right price and curves. Win win.
i live in Portland, and have had benches in last two houses entryways, and never had I sat on one to take shoes off. But entryway consoles are a must!
I love a beautiful bench as it says to guests” come on in, sit down and get comfortable.” However I think you are missing an opportunity to create more storage. A bench with panels below that open can store a lot of muddy shoes, gumboots and junk out of sight. Make them kick panels and you may even get the kids to use them.
One of the things I love most about this site is that accredited designers like Emily are not afraid to admit that they might have made an error in judgement ie the blue baseboards. Many would just not even post about it but it makes me feel so good to know that if Emily Henderson can admit that it wasn’t the right paint choice then I can surely make my own design mistakes and learn from them! Kudos to you and your team for all your candor so that we may refrain from beating ourselves up over every bad paint choice or design misstep!
I just want to know the source of the jumpsuit. 😊
I think it was the Cropped Boilersuit from The Great in Boxcar Stripe.
Many many thanks for the Newsletter I like your post very much really encourage the detailed work every space is beautifully
Elaborated and the interior decor is absolutely right at the place where there is a need. Best Regards Khurram
I love you, but where are the target (aka affordable) options for us wannabes?
I’ve been waiting for a Shaker-indpired bench moment in this farmhouse!! I’ve been envisioning it ever since you started this renovation! The entry seems like the appropriate spot for it. A painted Shaker peg rail above a bench would be nice for guest coats as well as some dried lavender and a hanging basket styled out.
The Thos.Moser benches are gorgeous, those shapes are divine, but I’m not sold on whether it’s worth the splurge here.
I also love the European painted bench because it’s inviting and makes a statement in a small room. I’d save the real storage piece for somewhere else and leave more open spaces to avoid blocking the beautiful light that’s pouring in from the new window.
Because of the bright light I’d love to see a colorful painted piece here, whether it’s a green peg rail, vintage painted bench, or a large art piece above the bench.
I’m strangely excited for this room!
How about a console built in the same or similar genre to your new dining table? In all honesty, are any of your guests likely to use the bench for seating? A console will give you the flexibility of a drop-off point for keys etc., or the opportunity to style a simplistic , stand-out focal point on entry.
https://www.diannalynndecor.com.au/products/sifo-rustic-console-table
Unless you and Brian are going to be using this entry you do not need a console – the purpose of a console is to put keys and mail down while you take off your coat and shoes or whatever. Your guests will not be doing that. They will have coats and shoes. A bench will work because people can leave their coats/bags on a bench and it will also be a place to sit if necessary. That small area next to that beautiful new window is not enough space for a functional coat area. Your kids will kick shoes into a pile, like all kids do, and leave their coats and backpacks, as well as their hat, mittens and raincoats on the floor or bench. You will just have to be happy that the shoes are there and not on the kitchen floor (where there really should have been a md room, since from what I can tell, this is where the entrance from the car will be, and thus most of their stuff will be in the kitchen). You all have to neaten the pile of shoes/boots by the front door when guests come over, like millions of… Read more »