Hey all, it’s week 5 of the One Room Challenge! The last week to share progress before sharing your finished space. My tiny backyard is looking fab if I do say so myself. (Here’s week 4 if you need to catch up!)
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So this week’s update is going to be pretty brief just because we did a few things, but those things don’t require a ton of explaining. 🙂
First off, we hung three ferns and the globe string lights. The only lighting in this area was the little light by the door, and that just doesn’t cut it once the sun starts setting. I think I’m going to do a separate post about these lights and hanging them. Not gonna tackle that today, though. For now, just behold:
Love. Absolutely love. They provide the perfect amount of soft light in the evenings and at night. And Ramona quite likes staring at them.
We also put up cat climbing perches along one of the second-story deck footers. I cannot take credit for this idea…it was all Mike’s! Like most cats, Henry and Blanche want to be Very High Up at all times. Henry jumps the fence if we don’t leash him or watch him closely. So we devised a plan for these kitty climbers using scrap wood and regular ol’ shelving brackets.
Here is Henry on the top perch doing some bird watching and general neighborhood spying. We cut an angle out of the top perch so it would fit around two sides of the footer. You can also see the two smaller steppers they can use to climb up to the top.
For these perches, we just finished them with Minwax stain in “natural” and the same spar urethane I used for all of the other outdoor wood pieces. Two coats.
Then, for the brackets, we got some regular metal brackets from the hardware store and spray them down with a rust-proof white spray paint for extra protection.
Everything is pretty much done except for adding some more plants and getting around to cutting the grass! Next week is the big reveal 🙂
Can’t wait to see your whole finished space! I’ve always wanted a deck that I can hang lights on like that… so jealous! One more week!
I know, now if we could only get the deck minus the wasps constantly trying to nest under it.
This is looking so great, Brittany! Just in time for warmer weather and summer ahead. Love that you guys did something for your cats. Blanche…ha…is that a Golden Girls reference? I used to love that show!!
Yes! LOL. Most projects have a cat angle around here 🙂
Eeeee your cat’s are cutie patooties. The transformation has been amazing, Brittany! Can’t wait to see your reveal!
I know, I am obsessed with them. Now if only Blanche would get up on the perches. We put the lower steppers in their just for her large frame 🙂
Love outdoor lights! They add so much to a patio!
Hi Brittany, I am in LOVE with the cat tree made from the real tree branch. It’s amazing, but I am curious as to how you preserve the tree? I saw the links to the polyurethane and the minwax, but does this prevent rotting from the inside? I am thinking about trying some projects with natural branches. Thanks!!
Hi Destiny! The key is to make sure the branches are totally dried out. Mine have been in use for a little over two years, and I have not noticed any degradation in quality. I guess I don’t really know what’s going on on the inside of the branches, but I am assuming it’s fine!
I so want outdoor lights for our backyard. I’m looking forward to that tutorial.
I love those lights!!! They will be perfect all summer long!
Love the kitty perches! Too cute! You yard is looking amazing. Did you grass grow like 12 inches over the weekend like mine did? 😉 Thank goodness the sun is back! Can’t wait to see your finished space.
YES it did!! Plus Mike has been putting fertilizer on it, so it stays short for about 12 hours.
Oooh this is lovely!!! And I’m insanely jealous you’re just about done! Wanna come help?? 😉
I love the cat pedestal! It’s adorable! I’m really wanting to put lights on my deck this year!
Your lights look amazing. They’re the perfect ambient lighting for the evening. Looking forward to your big reveal.
A cat perch!!! What a great idea. The whole space is looking great. 🙂
I am dying to see this project! I will be back later to see everything. Love the addition for your pet. Making spaces personal is so what I love about design.
Danielle
clarkandaldine.com
My cats are so jealous of your cats. They sent me this link and asked why THEY couldn’t have perches in OUR backyard 😉
You have to build them now!
Look at that little baby of yours- nothing like adding something to the design for our loves ❤️
Hey nice… I really like your blog. Very useful information. Thx