Why not a storage bench under the window to the left, where the vacuum cleaner is now standing? Something like this:

{{!gwi}}

When I saw your post, I had to laugh. Being a fellow golden lover/owner, I understand your dilemma. I like the unit you picked out, but would also hesitate due to the ventilation issue. How about a trunk or banquette/window seat complete with a cushion? You could either place this under the coat rack or window depending on what would work best. You could design it so that the front and sides had ventilation -- made to look like a raised panel but with the center section having a cut-out section inserted with open vertical slats that would allow for the air to circulate. Depending on what your plans are for the future -- whether the goldens will always be crated or not--the seat could eventually become part of a banquette dining area in that space. Good luck!

...or the cut-out in the panel could be treated with the metal/mesh material used in ventilated window seat covers often seen over radiators.

My first thought was (if possible) to have a custom piece made where the bottom of the drawers or chest was chicken wire. That would allow for drips as well as air circulation.

YOu could have a rag rug or mat underneath to catch the drips.

GG - I dream of having a kitchen table someday! We're down to four dogs, having lost one of our old girls last year and another a few months ago. The two youngest still go in crates if we're gone, but we keep an extra crate up as well.

Do you all think the basket approach might work? Let me add that we don't have a lot of shoes but for some reason DH starts accumulating them, so part of my goal with this is to provide only limited space :)

I don't really want to go custom, because this area takes a lot of abuse. Sigh.

{{!gwi}}{{!gwi}}

BTW mclarke - where is that red bench from? Love it!

Hi goldgirl... Here is the link to the bench.

The good news is that it's inexpensive -- $179!

The bad news is that they're in Arkansas and they won't ship it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Bench

Why not get another metal crate that opens and has a pan that can slide out (to make access easier and to catch drips and messes from wet shoes) and put the boots, etc in that ? The closed crate would keep the dogs away, but the wire container would fit in with the rest of the space well. For fun you could make a plaque to hang on the front that says: "Paws" here for shoe/boot storage.

A wooden top could be made to allow for other items to sit there (purses, etc - if the dogs wouldn't take them) and then find a black iron/wire coat rack or individual hooks to hang above the crate to tie the two together.

I think the benches with the baskets would probably work out fine, but you'll probably have to line those as well. Maybe you could find some cheap plastic bins to act as basket inserts. I do understand your plight with the pile up of shoes -- some days they just seem to multiply.

Molly!? Is that you??? (sorry goldgirl)

No...duh....it's not Molly. Sorry.

Okay, back to the thread at hand...

This is advice from the boating world. How about teak? It is a natural for watery locations. Perhaps a teak chest that is meant to store pool toys? Ideally, I'd want some drainage holes in the bottom (depending on how very wet things get) and keep a boot tray under it. Eventually, you could use the piece outdoors if you find something better. I like to buy things that are flexible that way, particularly when I can move them outside. I can always find a spot for something outside...not so indoors...

Almost every decision I have made in my house has been around my pooches - I totally understand:)

I am going to throw out something else to think about....what about an armoire with a rod where you can hang up coats (they remain out of sight) and leashes. You can then stash the shoes on the bottom with a drip pan - if it had panels on the bottom - you could replace with some type of metal mesh for ventilation. Or if it had been previously used for a tv, it would already have a hole in the back.You could probably find something on CL inexpensively.

And, don't you just love your Dyson?

Smiles:)

scooby - that's an awesome idea! I've been looking up benches and hall trees, but didn't think about an armoire. I would love to get the coats out of site (again, we only need a couple but DH collects, just like the shoes ;)

The other advantage is that we have no storage in the adjoining family room, which we're just starting to put together. Will be buying furniture and possibly adding some built-ins, but that will take awhile. So, an armoire would give up some storage in the meantime.

mclarke - figures about shipping ;)

les - we're trying to get away from crates (used to have five up) and "reclaim" the area the little by getting stuff out of sight :)

amy - I didn't know that about teak! We also like to think about alternate uses for items, especially since we've moved a fair number of times. So, I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks all!