styleNorth

StyleNorth reader Hali suggested a post about entryway makeovers: “With fall here and winter coming there’s a lot more to think about, like wet boots, for instance.”

It was a suggestion I took to heart because our front hall, above, was in need of some serious attention. We have a jumbled little corner closet that’s just north of useless and the alcove under the stairs serves as the dog station where food and other utilities were stored in a battered, old trunk.

But I’m thrilled to report that this not so pretty state of affairs is a thing of the past thanks to one stunning purchase . . .

This “makeover” is a bit of a cheat because it revolves around a single item, the beautiful Birch and chrome bench with drawers, above. We found it at Moveline Liquidations ($275) when I was scouting for styleNorth and it occurred to me that the drawers would make a great shoe cabinet; in fact, the depth is a nearly perfect fit for a boot tray and each drawer holds four pairs of shoes or ankle boots.

The dogs’ food bin was moved to the little corner closet and their metal dinner bowls tuck away beneath the cabinet along with house-shoes and slippers. The bench also provides a much-needed place to sit and pull on shoes or boots.

Moveline specializes in hotel liquidations so this bench was probably designed to support suitcases or possibly to stow extra pillows. But a little creative repurposing and we’re suddenly loving a space that used to be an embarrassment.