Thanks guys! We have an even teenier entrance when you just walk in the door - 3ft wide by 6 ft long. It has hooks for backpacks coats etc. When we moved in one of the first things I did was put up another row of hooks at kid level so they can (theoretically) hang their own stuff up. C., there is also a cast iron rad in that tiny space that is always crowded with those soaking wet mitts, but poly fleece just doesn't smell the same as it dries LOL. I saw this metal rack in a British mag once that fit over the rad and had hooks for mitts and socks. I've never been able to find one, but still search.

Consider creating a monarch station, maybe in a raised round or contoured bed made of the same kind of bricks that are on your house. There's an organization called monarchwatch.com. You might check it out. Maybe you could line the driveway somehow, with a garden bed or hedge. I think your yard would benefit from more curved shapes. Another thing you might do is to create a small grove of river birch. They are so pretty, and the colors of their bark would blend so attractively with your house. I've seen them in beds toward the front of the yards, along with natural-looking shrubs and flowers. Beautiful. The main thing I would recommend for your yard is to minimize the grass. Not only do lawns use a lot of water, take a lot of work and expense, but a large lawn, in my opinion, is monotonous. And replacing lawn is much better for the environment and the other plantings attract birds, squirrels, and so on.

Is there something wrong with the flooring, or are you just looking to make a change? I was pleasantly surprised when I saw your picture because your lead-in made it sound ugly :). Actually it is quite nice! I would surely not change your wood floors.They are beautiful and will work with anything. Did you try to ". Google" entry tables?

I had an apartment in dc with a large dedicated entry like yours, mine had a doorway to the kitchen, doorway to bedroom and doorway to living room. But like most apartments you always need a little more storage space, so I measured and planned carefully and filled every wall in the entry with Billy bookcases from ikea. Some all shelves, some with full length doors and some half and half and then found a nice slimmer side chair where I could drop stuff or sit to read or take off shoes. Did it look crowded or strange when you opened the door? Sure. But that opening the door and coming inside takes all of 7 seconds and the rest of the time you’re inside an apartment with a little library and storage galore. My point being is your entry is valuable space so don’t get boxed in with the idea that it has to be this one thing that only gets used for less than a few minutes a day of coming and going.