Entry Way is Complete!!!

Have you ever been to Houzz.com???  Some times I post questions on the discussion boards just to get my creative juices flowing, or when I am being indecisive.  A few weeks ago, I posted a question about my foyer.  Here's what I wrote:

Need Help Designing Front Entry
Looking for some design suggestions for my entry way.
I posted pictures of how it looks everyday - A MESS!
I wanted to be honest in how it looks all of the time so I
can get some real suggestions on how to clean it up
and organize!!!
We just moved in in June, and as you can see, we just
 installed a new front door. I wanted to really brighten up
 the space. We also just had all of our electrical redone,
so the entry way is missing a light fixture. The ceilings are
only 8', so I can't do anything hanging too low.
I'd like to get a new piece of furniture, but I am also up to
painting the bench that is there now.
Are there any chic hall trees?? Or are they just tacky???
I love warm spaces. I'm into geige walls, mixed with rustic
red and black pieces. But I find myself resisting that look,
 since it can be quite dark.
I love the look of grey walls, with white furniture and
 chrome or nickle fixtures, but I have kids, so I want the
space to be liveable and not too cold.
Just having a hard time defining the space and getting
a real 'look'. 

(Before pics)

Majority of the responses were genuine and helpful, but then, there was this one:


despinachYou do have a very nice space to work with, but there is absolutely
no excuse for you or your children to just throw shoes and clothes
away like that... I find it wrong to believe that this is so just because
you still don't have the right hall tree or the right bench...

Oh boy, I laughed hard.  It was a little douche-like to write that, but at the end of the day, he was right.  So I got to work!!

Here's what I did for my little, messy, monkeys.  I sacrificed an entire hall closet for them!

 I just drilled in 4 hooks for the kids and labeled them all colourful.  They LOVE it!! They go right to the closet every day and hang up their stuff.  Works like a charm!

Then I got busy on my foyer.  (Ignore the red tape around the door.  Still haven't put molding up.)
I really wanted this apothecary cabinet from Pottery Barn, but I'm not into blowing $1000 bucks right now on it (especially since my inherited, 16 year old Sub Zero fridge just died).  So I went shopping in my own house and remembered this cabinet I bought when I lived on the farm.  I bought it with my Mother-In-Law at a local craft show.  I love this piece and it was hidden in my dining room.  So now it has a home in the front entrance and holds a ton of stuff.

I was searching every where for a  coat rack.  I put an ad up on kijiji in the "Wanted" section, and some awesome person wrote me and told me to check out XS Cargo around the corner from me.  Sure enough, I scored this solid wood coat rack for $14 bucks and sprayed it high gloss barn red.   I LOVE red furniture!!

I bought the orb light from Concept Lighting in Burlington.  Best place ever to buy lighting.  They have the trendest pieces at awesome prices.

And I painted the entire hall Perfect Griege by Sherwin Williams.

I love how my dog is in every picture.  I can't help it.  He won't leave me alone all day!!!