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Our basement library is filled with storage, books, and games for the entire family to use, and we always seem to be stretched right to the edge on available space. So, when I had the opportunity to build two more narrow bookcases for the HVAC door, I was excited to get that done!
While most of the bookcases in here are from Ikea, I knew I was out of luck with matching the perfect sizes for this part of the project. So, I set out to build my own, but since these also have to be doors… I knew it wouldn’t be a typical pair of bookcases. Check out the first part of this build here. 
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One of the funnest things I have for the cat/kid bedroom is the cat exercise wheel. While I bought it for function, it wasn’t quite what we needed for style. Luckily, there were some easy ways to adjust it to meet our needs. I ordered this Cat Wheel from Vevor. The first step, of course, was to assemble the wheel. It was fairly simple unboxing it and following the instructions in the packaging. The wheel itself is divided into three parts, and getting each segment put together was a little like putting together a stair bannister. Lots of finicky work.  One of the many things I've had to do in working on our old house is update the wiring on antique fixtures or completely replace wiring in others. The example I have today I actually pulled out of the garbage when my sister and I were pulling cabinets from a "free" alley pile. The cabinets are beautiful, and the lamp was cute! But it was clearly thrown out because of the shredded wiring at the joints. Since this lamp has an adjustable head, there is more stress on the wires in those spots. But with just a few supplies, it's not too hard to rewire!  As we get to the end of the growing season, I'm inundated with herbs from across the yard. In our front yard, we often plant annual herbs like sage, basil, and rosemary. For the past several years, we've grown perennial chives, oregano, thyme, and mint. We're in USDA agricultural zone 4b, which really helps us know what will grow well here and how to plant and care for each plant, though we've been in a drought this year that has been really hard on a lot of our plants.  This week, I painted a sunburst mural on our garage door. And the process was really easy! I didn't tape anything off, because I've been painting a long time (between working in theater and as a housepainter, both of my hands are super steady), but I'll include a few steps for using tape too! This mural really made our basic garage door seem so much better. It fits our colorful style and it fits right in with our colorful, mural-celebrating neighborhood. I'm glad to join the club!  |
Katie SwansonI am a parent, creative spirit, and old house lover. My big passions are sustainable design and preservation. Bringing these together is key to moving existing homes into the future. * By subscribing to the monthly newsletter, you consent to receive links this month's blog posts and other relevant blog updates, a round up of things I love, and as a throwback to my DIY days, I may toss in an exclusive knit or crochet pattern of mine. Archives
January 2025
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