Progress?

Remember how excited I was that the handyman was coming? Well, my excitement has waned somewhat due to the discovery that one small side of our house is rotting. Gross. I'm glad the handyman discovered it (silly me, I thought the hole in the house was due to a wood-pecker!). The whole thing needs to be re-sided, and a new window is on it's way from wherever it is that windows come from. SO...so far, nothing "fun" has been done to the house as part of my "fall resolutions". 

Part of what I'd like to do, is organize our front entryway. We need to have some storage for the piles of shoes and stuff that tends to conglomerate there. I love the idea of having some built-in storage, and the handy handyman has assured me we can do this once we resolve the more important house rot issue.

I was motivated to find some inspirational photos for what I have in mind after coming across Erin of The Perfect Sentiment's blog post yesterday. Here are some of my favorites...

This is perfect! I love the cute fabric on the bench which makes it more pretty than just a storage space filled with "stuff". I think I'd move the top storage area UNDER the bench though to get it out of view a bit more.

(Image via PSErin)

Love the amount of storage that this space offers, but I'm not sure we have the space for it:

(Image via PSErin)

In a simpler, clutter-free life (which is not mine!), this is a nice, neutral relaxing look:  

First published in: Ideal Home, July 2009

My husband, who prefers a more modern look and loves "floating shelves" would like this option. So would Jake because he could throw stuff off those shelves (which is why this option, lovely as it is, is not for us!):

First published in: Living Etc, April 2009

So pretty! Love the pink phone!:

(First published in: Country Homes & Interiors, April 2009)

There is an incessantly LOUD bird chirping just outside Jake's window which means he will wake up in about three minutes, thus ending all further posting on entryway storage!