Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...

Fresh Ideas for Foyers and Entries

No mudroom, No problem. Give your house a grand entrance with an open, inviting entryway that warmly welcomes family and friends alike with these simple ideas.

Built-In Banquette
What a welcoming sight upon first coming inside! Both decorative and functional, this entryway banquette offers a spot to sit when putting on or taking off shoes or boots, as well as three drawers for storing all your front-entry necessities. It also teases with a tantalizing taste of the home's decor.

Warm Welcome
Few things greet guests more heartily than a delightful dose of color and personality at the front door! Cheerful tomato-red paint on the door and sidelights gives way to stripes in two shades of blue on the rug and the chest of drawers. Fresh flowers and a tabletop arrangement of artwork will put a smile on the face of anyone who enters.


Wonder Wall
An efficient entryway doesn?t require swaths of square footage?just a blank wall will do. Here, a skinny bench snugs under the window for a convenient drop zone for grocery bags and backpacks; baskets slide beneath for additional storage. The paneled wall holds a rack for coats and hats, making it easy to hang these items up and out of the way.

Double-Sided Storage
This back-door entry cleverly uses the backside of the kitchen cabinetry for storing items that transition between indoors and out?for example, pet gear, including a bin for kibble and bowls for food and water. Closed-door cabinets hide empty grocery bags, cleaning supplies, and other unsightly things.

Almost Like Art
A rack of hooks for hats, bags, and a dog leash takes on the appearance of artwork when hung among a smattering of paintings and frames. The orange tray on the TV cabinet collects loose items so they?re easy to deposit on the way in or to grab on the way out.

A Sliver of Space
A demilune table graciously curtsies a greeting, turning a bare stretch of wall into a welcoming foyer. The demure table provides just enough surface space for a small tray (ideal for catching car keys and spare change), a slim lamp, and a bit of artwork. Shoes and boots stash tidily underneath.

Out in the Open
Many older homes don?t have a coat closet near the front door, but this ingenious solution puts pretty jackets and umbrellas on marvelous display. A freestanding rack gathers outerwear, shoes, and other gear in one compact spot right where it?s needed?without taking up scads of space.

What Lies Beneath
A basic bench piled with colorful cushions would be helpful enough for setting down grocery bags or a heavy purse upon coming in the door. But this one packs even more assistance into its small size: A trio of under-seat drawers stores extra shoes, hats and gloves, sporting equipment, and anything else that needs a place.















Double Duty
Every bit of this antique cabinet is pressed into service. The top surface gathers white pottery and a pair of lamps in a lovely display; it can also be a landing spot for things needed upon leaving the house or coming home. Its drawers stash papers and other loose items to keep them out of sight, and the cabinets conceal purses, backpacks, and other bulky pieces so the clutter doesn?t spill over into the family room.












Faux Foyer
Even if a house doesn?t have a designated foyer, one or two pieces of the right furniture can fake it. Here, an antiqued folding screen separates the entryway from the nearby family room, while a diminutive wooden table, brightened with a lamp and a few artsy treasures, catches mail and keys.

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