apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Or you could hire a local carpenter/craftsman to make exactly what you want...

I actually took a crappy bookshelf I got on Craiglist for I think $15 or something, cut it in half, screwed on some legs, painted it, and presto - a bench! DIY may not be your thing, but it's definitely economical.

http://someoneelsehaslmcwethy.blogspot.com/2009/03/completed-project-mostly.html

A bet an actual branch would do quite nicely - perhaps the right branch in the right tree stand?

Er... oops -- I was completely enamoured with the coat rack and didn't actually read the post carefully enough. :)

Ikea Leksvik or Traby? Either could be modified to accommodate your needs... and they're CHEAP.

I often see antique crates at flea markets for around $10, and they seem to be a standard size. If you got three, screwed them together, and put a cushion on top, you'd have the same look for under $50.

FYI - Stacks & Stacks has the absolute worst customer service ever. They are unhelpful and rude. It was one of the most tiresome and annoying business transactions I've ever been through so I would recommend avoiding them at all costs.

P.S. I meant to say BOTTLE crates. They're sturdy and were made in standard sizes.

JC Penney have a set for $249

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchDepartment.aspx?SearchString=clark wall shelf&JSEnabled=false&mscssid=&cmResetCat=true&hdnOnGo=true

These (or ones like them) seem to show up on craigslist pretty often. And http://www.homedecoratorsoutlet.com/ has a zillion of these things.

I bought a similar one off overstock http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Sonoma-Cubby-Bench/518938/product.html There are a few other cute options on Overstock as well, and they have $1 shipping today.

Of course the quality isn't as good as the Pottery Barn one, but it's alot cheaper. I like to splurge on more important pieces of furniture (i.e. couch) and save on items like this. I had a hard time finding affordable baskets (again, Pottery Barn's are nice, but expensive). I think I ended up getting mine at Linens n Things with a coupon.

Good luck!

Like aoede, I'm fixated on that coat rack. Not as wonderful as this modern one
http://www.designpublic.com/shop/erich-ginder/2962
but far more affordable... I wish it came in white, I think.

Staining two disparate pieces the same dark color would really make them come together and look higher end than they really are. I agree that similar pieces could be made by a local carpenter for much cheaper if you did the staining and finishing touches (knobs, hooks) yourself.

INstead of a real branch in a stand for a coat hanger (which I imagine would be not-too-sturdy), what about two smaller branches coming horizontally off the wall, perhaps in place of the two lights?

Also - a pet peeve that I just HAVE to vent about: I hate when staged rooms have plants, dog treats, etc out of reach! Great idea to store a pretty jar of treats right by the door, but not if you need a ladder to reach them!

I used a cedar chest by our front door - all the storage but out of sight. You might be able to pick up a nice one at a resale shop... Good luck!

Ikea has a good one that I have in my home:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30034193
and they have the hat rack to match too:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10034194

I actually have had the bench for a couple of years and it works great!

Aha- How about this one from World Market? Limited quantities available...

http://www.worldmarket.com/Java-Mud-Bench-with-Baskets/lev/4/productId/7533/Ntt/bench/Ntk/Def/Ntx/mode matchallpartial/N/0/Nty/1/view/10000/perpage/0/index.pro

Better Homes and Gardens had a great idea to repurpose a tall book case by putting it on its side. Check out the picture here:

http://thesalerack.blogspot.com/2008/09/case-for-repurposing.html

Make your own...

I got my "bench" in the discount section of Ikea. I think it was originally a low media console, but it makes a great bench and their baskets fit perfectly underneath.
I purchased an unfinished wooden coat 6-hook and put a wooden shelf of the same width above it (Home Depot & Jysk). You could always paint the parts so it all matches. I don't mind the "pine" look for now. Since making this, I have seen really cool "pieces" at HomeSense here in Canada in nice finishes of black, mahogany etc... even wrought iron.
I love my entry -- custom made by me thanks to Ikea, Home Depot and Jysk! (:

another DIY/Ikea hack option:

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2008/11/hack-window-seat.html

Use a drawer from an old dresser (from a deep dresser and sturdy drawer too). Remove the handles and flip it on its side (its front face becomes the top part of the bench). Put some baskets on the bottom for storage (the dividers don't seem to do much in the above photo anyway) and maybe a cusion on top (how much sitting would one actually do here anyway? - good for dog cat!). You could even screw some wheels on for extra height and mobility.

I want that coat "tree". Oh so much!!!

(No place for a bench.)