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" VIEW MORE PHOTOS   With four active children and a playful black Lab traipsing through, the mudroom of this century-old New England Victorian house weathers plenty of use. When it started looking a little worn, the home\u00ADowners decided to spruce it up. The challenge was more complicated than usual: Unlike most mudrooms, which are largely unseen by guests, this one is an extension of the kitchen and serves as the home&amp;#039;s main entrance. &amp;quot;In this region, the mudroom is one of the hardest-working rooms in the house,&amp;quot; says project designer Elizabeth Brosnan Hourihan of Carpenter &amp;amp;amp; MacNeille Architects, outside Boston. &amp;quot;Our goal was not just to make it more functional, but also cohesive with the rest of the first level.&amp;quot; Collaborating with the principal architect, Robert MacNeille, Hourihan reworked the space, adding built-in storage and seating that echo the simple, clean lines of the Shaker-style kitchen cabinetry. The color green, a family favorite, became the jumping-off point for the decor. A yellow-green is used on the walls and woodwork, with a slightly lighter shade on the ceiling &amp;quot;to give the small space a larger feeling,&amp;quot; explains Hourihan. The hue also complements the ultradurable, irregular-cut slate floor. &amp;quot;It stands up to heavy-duty traffic,&amp;quot; says the homeowner, &amp;quot;and always looks nice.&amp;quot; On the wall nearest to the kitchen, the yellow-green, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry combines closed-door storage up top and open lockers outfitted with ample hooks for jackets and backpacks below. In between are individual cubbies that house hats and small sporting equipment. All of the mudroom&amp;#039;s cabinet and door hardware is oil-rubbed bronze, the same as in the kitchen. The custom-built window bench provides more cubbies beneath the seat and is a convenient spot to tie shoes or pull on boots. Its durable cushion fabric has multicolored stripes that hide dirt while adding a bit of color. An olive green roman shade made of linen extends the tailored yet casual look. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s a simple, practical, and now a beautiful room,&amp;quot; says the homeowner. Its Name is Mud \u2022 TAKE STOCK Are you overwhelmed with backpacks and sporting gear? Are shoes scattered around the house and jackets draped over chairs? Outline your utilitarian needs first. \u2022 PUT EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE Designate individual cubbies and enough coat hooks for each family member. Baskets or bins can hold small items such as gloves and hats. Consider a vertical sorter for mail, pegs for keys, a basket for sunglasses, and a hook for the dog&amp;#039;s leash. \u2022 CHOOSE MATERIALS WISELY Opt for easy-to-clean stone or ceramic tile floors. Wall paint with a scrubbable finish withstands abuse; dark colors won&amp;#039;t show handprints. Avoid unsightly stains with soil-resistant fabrics, micro\u00ADfibers, and camouflaging patterns. \u2022 DON&amp;#039;T SKIMP Plan more storage than you think you will need. Aside from accommodating coats and boots, wouldn&amp;#039;t it be great to have spaces for stashing bulk grocery items, brooms, mops, and \u00ADrecycling bins? \u2022 CONSIDER EXTRAS You won&amp;#039;t regret installing several outlets for charging cell phones and iPods, an oversize chalkboard to jot down messages, and a place to post a family calendar. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/a1256/organize-it-mudroom-44674/>