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I've been admiring the Loop Bench from Crate & Barrel. It comes in a light wood and an espresso finish. I think I also saw it in the store in a white finish. It's very contemporary looking, and would also make a great coffee table/toy box. Hope this helps!

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1135&f=31728

Land of Nod has one that's semi-pricey:
http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=2860&f=4865&q=toy chest&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

JC Penney has others that are much cheaper (and not bad looking):
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemID=14fc7bd&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=toy chest&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=searchresults&Search1Prod=True

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemID=15203dd&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=toy chest&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=searchresults&Search1Prod=True

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?ItemID=15cd85f&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=toy chest&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&s4PageSize=15&CmCatId=searchresults&Search1Prod=True

Also, I know you mentioned wood but we're planning to buy a leather storage chest in dark brown:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Homestyles-Espresso-Bi-cast-Leather-Storage-Bench/3848606/product.html

I don't have a suggestion for you, sorry, but I wanted to say that make sure whatever you get or make has a slow-close safety hinge to it. A lot of storage boxes that aren't designed as toy chests don't have them, and it's important. You don't want your little one to get bonked on the head or little fingers and hands to get smashed. It's a simple thing, but very important. I'm sure if you find something you like that doesn't have one you could retro-fit one on.

We have an IKEA Lesvik Toy Box at $79.99, our son is now two and it's served us well. It has the closure that won't pinch little fingers and any good DIY-er could make the chalk board under the lid.

Modmomfurniture has a few different styles of toy boxes. They are a little bit on the pricier side, but not outrageous:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25762782

Ooh, a chalk board toychest. Now that's cool.

I just got one on ebay for a very reasonable price and its 31"x18"x18" so quite large and its doing its job in our family room, and has the slow close lid. Search for toy box or toy chest.

It may be a bit more modern than the Pottery Barn box but we find it very versatile. My family has this in the living room, and no one realizes it's a toy box until the children open it up. I love that it has wheels so I can move it closer to the mess if need be: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QFZAAI

Hi Alison –
It seems likely that your storage dilemma is shared by many (new) parents. You may be interested in the storage boxes I have built for myself and my adult children and new grandchildren. They also wanted to “incorporate kid things, create order and maintain style”.
As a carpentry artisan for 30 years – while I raised my own 3 daughters and 1 son – I have designed and built many small storage solutions for kids’ spaces. With the birth of my grandsons and my adult childrens’ homes evolving to incorporate kid things, I have been inspired to focus on small storage pieces that are practical, have a touch of “artsy” and are made with child and eco friendly materials (real wood, non-toxic glues and sealers, zero VOC paints, art papers, all-natural beeswax and jojoba wax).
It has been my good fortune to provide daily care for my grandson since his mom and dad returned to work. I imagine new pieces during the day while I am in his home and realizing new room improvements. I cut wood and build on the weekends, then paint and finish on weekday evenings to relax and unwind from a day of childcare. This has allowed me to develop several basic designs; each item is individually hand-built and hand-finished by me in my home workshop and studio.
I am going to open an Etsy shop to display and sell my creations. Until that project is up and running, I am happy to discuss possible projects by email or phone (in person, if you happen to live in Gig Harbor/Tacoma, Washington area).
If you are interested in seeing pictures of the boxes I have built, email EvergreenSunshine@gmail.com.
Good wishes for a successful solution.

Just doing a research and found this site. Please visit www.yellowdogwoodworking.com for your custom furniture needs. Toy boxes are posted in the gallery pages with attached chalkboard. Can be custom designed to me your needs. Thanks for looking.

Yellow Dog WoodWorking