I struggle with the "shoes off" in the house policy. In theory, that would be my preference. And certainly in bad weather, my kids all take their shoes off. However, I have four kids, and two of them are outside playing all the time. They come in and out for a variety of reasons, so requiring them to take shoes off each and every time just isn't manageable (especially since one of them has fine motor skills problems, so just tying his shoes is difficult for him). I usually take mine off when I come inside, unless I'm wearing sneakers and coming from the store where I have to make multiple trips to the car. That said, I also have three entry points. The kids go in and out through the garage, which is underneath the main floor. If they are coming in and staying in, they usually leave their shoes in the garage just outside the door (a huge pile which I'm trying to organize - used to be a big basket but too many shoes, so now I have an organizer to put together, but not sure they will actually put their shoes in each compartment!). I always use the front door and kick my shoes off at the front door - there is a basket there by the door, so if I'm going out again later, I leave my shoes there, but if not I bring them upstairs to my closet. I wear slippers in the house. We also have a mudroom but it is accessible from the back door. There was a time when my kids always used it after school/coming home from somewhere, but now my key no longer works in the lock so they always use the garage instead. The mudroom, however, seems to store whatever shoes they haven't left in the garage (as well as shoes that are not in use regularly, like cleats, church shoes, etc). They each have their own cubby, and a basket for shoes in their cubby. I find it perfectly normal here where I live to see a basket of shoes near the front door. The only houses where I don't see them are my friends' homes who have homes that are more formal (don't look very lived in), or if they have a mudroom or other main entry for family. I just read the two posts above mine and see that they both have four kids like me. I had to laugh at choclot b/c her battle sounds like mine! Mine each have their own cubbies and STILL I find their things all over the mudroom - coats laying on the bench instead of hanging on the hook, shoes on the floor *right next to* their shoe basket, socks they've taken off and left in their cubbies and then wonder why they have no socks after I do laundry! I do call them from wherever they are to fix their mistakes, but much of the time I'm off doing something else and don't notice right away. My kids are 8, 10, 12 and turning 14. My oldest has actually become very organized (she keeps all her shoes in an organizer up in her bedroom after years of using the mudroom), hangs her coat in her room, etc. My 12 y/o is a slob, but he is incredibly organized with his schoolwork, binder, etc and judging from what I hear from his friends' mothers whose boys are constantly losing things, forgetting to turn in schoolwork, etc, I figure I'll take that over him not putting his shoes away properly!

Ugh...now that you've posted pics of the two side by side.....I definitely like the Armonk better. We have a 13' pitched ceiling and I'd say that it's about 10' where the light would hang from. Can't put my finger on it, but there's something I don't like about the Wayfair one. Maybe too "squished"? And I didn't even notice that the candles were taller, but I do like that better. Perhaps I should wait until I have the money to get the one I truly want. On another note, I do like just a basic, farmhouse chandelier look with large sweeping arms and candlesticks. I'll be on the lookout for that as well. I plan to refinish our round table which I believe is 48" to 50", and if I can, find muslin look chair slipcovers for my upholstered chairs. Do you think the cord covers look Ok? I don't mind the chain, but was wondering if wrapping the chain in thin rope would add some texture and look good. I can envision it, but wanted to ask what y'all think about it. Also, this was posted for sale...$10. How about painting this bronze or black?

I have one over the sideboard in my dining room. I've seen people on here say that no one wants to watch themselves eat, but it is high enough that when we're sitting at the table, you cannot see yourself. I don't know how a mirror can be dated. But I'm sure some people might disagree. I think it's personal preference. It just opens up our space and reflects the light.

Most will say no to the niche for reasons stated above. Nevertheless, we are putting one in (DH built it, it's arched, it's spans the full width of our slide in range/induction). While the niche fits our style and yes, it'll look 'good' to us, the reason I want one is for placing oils and seasonings I'll be using while cooking. Often I've a pot going (one) that's on the cook top for hours, simmering, and adjusting the herbs and spices is on ongoing thing for me as I never like to over-season. Other times I'm using one pan for sauteing vegetables, then immediately after using the same for finishing sous vide meats/poultry/fish by fast searing, and I use another type of oil for each of these types cooking - so I like to have things ready before I start. And I also do a lot of stir frying so again, oils, etc. at hand with one pan. One might say, put the oils/spices/herbs to the side of the counter top - but I'll have other things there, ready to cook, and I like space available to move cooked items off as I start something else. Once I'm finished, the jars and bottles get a wipe down, and go back to their original home away from the heat. Our niche is wide, no need to reach over anything when using one pot or a teppanyaki. We are installing a pot filler, but it's a deck mount, and off to the side of the cook top, where it can swivel out to the pots/pans. And while I understand all the above means oil spatters, a wipe down of tile while I'm wiping the cook top and surrounding counter top won't be a difficult chore as I'll do it all at the same time. I think this is something most people won't want, but it truly depends on your needs and cooking styles. I won't place 'decorative' items on the niche, unless I find something I can place there when not cooking and move away easily prior to cooking. It would only be something to 'fill the space'.