I was given a great spool. You know the giant spools electricians carry massive amounts of wire wrapped around? Well I was given one, and not gonna lie, the array of ideas that invaded my head of all the things I could do with said spool. This is what I came up with…
Off to my wood pile I went…
I went to my scrap pile and found some 1×6’s. It would do nicely to make the “lid” or rather the top to my kitty condo. I laid out three pieces of 1×6 boards and drew a circle using the “spool” as the template. You can use any size width wood and lay however many pieces it takes to get to the size you need. You could also use a piece of plywood and cut a whole circle instead of using the tree boards. But as I mentioned I wanted to use up my scrap wood. ๐
Finishing the lid, I used 1×2 to connect the three pieces together. I wish I had a kreg jig to make pocket holes. But this method works too. ๐
I set the lid aside and started to assemble the sides. Again going to my scrap lumber pile I was able to find 1×4’s.
Sanding all the pieces…I had to sand quite a bit, to rid them of the dents and discolorations. After sanding the boards I used a chop saw to cut the boards the height I wanted the “cat house” to be.
I contemplated using “L” brackets to hold the boards in place while I screwed each 1×4 to the top of the spool, however I ended up just screwing them straight to the spool using two screws per board.

I screwed two screws per board from the bottom. See the “L” bracket? I removed it as I found it wasn’t necessary and the clamps really didn’t help much either! ๐

You can see from this pic that the boards are wonkie. Don’t let that discourage you! It will all work out in the end! Promise.
After all the boards are screwed from the bottom, I put the lid on and began to move boards into place so I could screw down from the top of the “lid”.

I knew the screws would be showing. So I spaced them apart to be appealing to the eye! And see all the wonkie boards are in place as promised!
Onward!
To the base of the tree…I used sisal to give the kitties an awesome scratching feature! I achieved this by using hot glue and good rope. You don’t have to glue the entire base. You can glue a few inches, wrap the rope, glue a few more inches, wrap rope…and so on…Keep going until you’ve reached the desired look!

This is the rope I used. It’s sisal; a natural fiber. There was no odor on the rope. I’ve bought sisal before via online and gosh was that a mistake! The smell was so awful that no amount of soaking it in any type of solution would get the stench out! I make a point now to only purchaseย rope if I can touch it/smell it. This was from HomeDepot.

I stained the whole thing with dark walnut left over from a flooring job I did. I put three coats of water based poly after.
As you saw I stained the piece before I added the sisal. If I were to make another I would probably stain and seal beforehand. Though in the end, I was careful not to get any on the rope. This was an easy project that really didn’t take long at all. Maybe a couple of hours? The longest part was waiting for the stain to dry and the smell to dissipate.
The kitties really like it and this piece doubles as an end table! Remember the lamp shade I made? Hereย I staged the lamp on that. But since then, I’ve moved it about the room where ever an end table is needed!
This was a fun project and I was happy to create something for my furry friends. They really do like it and love scratching their claws on the sisal. I hope you enjoyed this post and it inspires you to make something for your pets too!
Please like, follow, and share, your support means the world to me. It really does! โค
From my furry friends to yours…All the best, Kokoโ
What a great idea! I love reusing things like that. I don’t have cats, but my bulldog would totally love it ๐
I have a French bulldog! Not the same I know. Mine has the personality of a bull! Thanks for commenting! Please stop by again. Have a great Friday! ๐
Koko, I must admit to you right here and now… You’re an Amazing Woman… I love this project you did for your cats.. You did a beautiful job.. and I dearly look forward to seeing what you do next.. Seriously, we need to be neighbors ~ the power tools would be on fire, crafting โค
Take care sweet lady, from Laura ๐
Your comments always make my day! I’d love to have you as a neighbor! We’d make so many things we’d have to open a store! Thank you for your thoughtful words! Have a glorious weekend Dear Laura. I hope the sun has melted all the snow. I know how you’ve been wanting to garden outdoors! Hugs to you! Koko
Koko, you’re most welcome and I mean every word in my comments to you… I love that store idea ~ what would we call it.. I can dream of finally putting all of these talents combined with yours to good use.. To dream is to feel alive..
Take care and happy blogging to you my dear, from Laura ~
Blogging makes the world so much smaller. I’m so thankful people can make friendships that otherwise would never happen. Let me think on the name. Wow a gorgeous day here in my neck of the woods. How about where you are?
Koko, it’s picture perfect here today, and I’ve been spending most of the day outdoors, racking the remaining leaves from Fall, and picking up tiny gifts from my dog in the back yard.. All in all it’s a amazing day here… But, my back is going to kill me tomorrow as I know I did too much today… Oh well… it’s spring and I’m very blessed and happy…
Hugs to you my dear… from Laura
I feel for you! My back gives me the same trouble. Try electric heat pad. It can do wonders! Also Epsom salts bath! Your day sounds amazing! Hug, Koko
To be able to make that in 2 hours is real skill. They sell similar, but not as well-made examples, for a fair bit of money over here.
During the mid 1970s, we used to use two similar reels as side-tables in a shared house. They were not cleaned up, or stained, jut wheeled in and upended!
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes I remember when I was a kid I used a spool as my bedside table. I covered it with a cloth. Also if you can find a sturdy one a nice seat it makes! Thank you for commenting. It’s a beautiful day here, I hope it is where you are too! Enjoy the weekend! ๐
Reblogged this on Is it really that easy? and commented:
My dear friends, this is a post you’ve just gotta see! This woman Koko is very amazing and talented.. Please take a few minutes and take a look.. You’ll be glad you did, I promise.. hugs to everyone, from Laura โค
You are precious! Thank you. โค !!!
Koko, it was my up most pleasure to re blog your post.. hugs from Laura ~
oh , Koko, such a cool project! Your kittes must be the happiest kitties in the world!
I have two, and they do not have anything close to what you made! Amazing!
http://dushonok.com/
You are so sweet to say so! I think my kitties are very happy with me and these projects I do for them. They follow me around like I’m the pied piper! Haha. Thank you for reading. Hope your weekend is wonderful. I’m hoping for some sunshine! ๐
This is a really cool DIY. Your work is very neat. I bet your cats took to it the moment you walked away. Thanks for sharing. –jim
They loved it as I was building it. I had to take care not to hot glue them to the base! Hahaha. Thank you for reading. Have a great weekend!
I have chickens. They are similar, in that they come to where I am working and nosy in on what I am doing. If it is for them, they attempt to get in before I’m ready for them. Enjoy and have a great weekend as well. –jim
I wish I could have chickens. I miss having them in the yard! They are so useful in keeping the bugs down too!
Indeed. The have interesting personalities. Take care… –jim
They do! Some even like to be cuddled! Hahaha
This is brilliant! What a great idea ๐
Thank you for saying so! It really was fun to do and to see how much use it gets makes it even better! Thanks for popping in! Have a beautiful weekend! ๐
How cool is that! Lucky cats.
I know right?! Haha thank you! Have a great day!
this is awesome, i bet your cats love it!
They do! Makes it worth building. Sometimes you never know if your pets will take to a certain bed. Thank you for commenting. Have a great day!!!
Admirations! You’re so creative…and handy. What a great creation to delight of them all, including the dog ๐
Hi Tiny! I try with all my might to come up with stuff. Super happy they love it! They scratch the heck out of it which saves the furniture! That pup is Evan. He was destined for the pound! But not on my watch! Have an awesome day T!
Terrific project. I think a lot of people will copy this one. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Hahaha…. Im so happy you like it. I’m searching for another spool. It would go great in a bedroom next to a bed. Thank you Jo for taking the time to comment. Means a lot. Have an awesome day! I’m currently watching rain fall! ๐
Wow,you have the ingenuity of a pair of hands, which is almost like a professional master cat house production,you cats is so happy! ๐
Cats are very happy! Thank you for your kind words. I’m very happy you read my post. Have a wonderful day! ๐
What a great idea! I know our little guys would just LOVE that! This post makes me want to dig through my own scrap pile to see what I can come up with!
Do it!!!! It is so much fun to create and say, “I did that!” Thank you so much for popping into my little place. Hope to see more of you! Go create. I’d love to see what you come up with. Best wishes, Koko
What a great idea, very creative! And it looks so cozy ^_^
Thank you a lot for saying so! The cats do love it! They all take Siena scratching at the post and all cramming into the bed cave!
I am going to show this to my mom. She has cats and would totally love this.
Awesome! I just got a tiny spoil and am thinking a mini scratch post. Hahaha. Glad you stopped by! Please come back again. ๐
You’re so creative…..I love it!!!!
You are too sweet! Made my day! Thanks sewloveable! Hope your Sunday is a happy one. ๐
Fabulous idea! It looks brilliant ๐๐๐
Thank you so much! The kitties love it! I appreciate you stopping by and kindly commenting. Happy Monday! โ
This is a great idea! Very creative. Good for you.
Thank you so much! The kitties thank me daily by using it and not the couch! ๐ Have a great day!
My cats would love this! Looks like a great project!
I drew the plans in my mind and as I was doing it I did have a moment of panic. But as I was building it, it really did come together as pictured. Easier than I thought. The cats do love it! And that makes it worth while! Thank you for your comment. Hope to see you again! Have a lovely night.
What a fabulous idea! And it looks like its well loved!!
Thank you for saying so! They do like it a lot. In any given day I will find one or five clinging to it! ๐ nice to have you here Krystal! Have a happy Wednesday!
Wow, you did a great job with that! We can see that the cats love it.
It was a fun build. I was pretty tickled that it came out just how I planned it in my head. Not bad. Haha. Yes cats love it! Great to have you here!
oh my Gosh!!! i wish i had the tools!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post…
Awe thank you! Borrow tools from a nice neighbor! Hahaha. Thank you Faith for coming in by! Hope to see you again. I have plenty more kitty posts coming up! Best to you! Koko
Yay keep the kitty posts coming love it !!! I just adopted
Wonderful! I hope you will show him/her off one day! ๐
I’m gonna post a little intro
Yay! ๐
You’re an inspiration ๐
And you are a darling! You keep me going with your kudos you send my way! Thank you so much Charlotte! โโโ
You’re so creative. Your furry friends look like they approve of your handiwork. ๐
Yes, I believe you are right! ๐ You should see them follow me around the house like the Pied Piper! Teehee. I had to build them something to do besides follow me! Thanks Nadine for stopping in. It means a lot to me. Hope your evening is lovely! Best, Koko ๐
They sound like my dogs. I call them Secret Service agents, because they follow me around like I’m the President. ๐ Have a lovely day, Koko.
I am totally going to use that…”Secret Service Agents”. It’s either that or my posse/crew! Thanks for making me smile today! ๐
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what a great idea! looks awesome and your kitties are happy ๐
Kitties are ecstatic! They use it daily, trading off who gets the prime spot! ๐ Nice to have your here Lola. Please come back again.
Our cat would LOVE this โบ๏ธ
Mine do! Then again they aren’t too picky. They love sleeping in boxes of any size and paper sacks too! Hahaha. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. ๐
Lucky kitties!
Yes; they have me wrapped around their paws! Take care! ๐
That’s one gorgeous cat condo. And lovely cats too. โค
Thank you Liam! It really was a fun project. I will pass on the compliments to the cats! They adore lovely comments! Please come back again!
Will do. I had a quick look around your blog yesterday and really liked what I saw.
That’s very nice of you to say! Hope to see you again. ๐
Omg I love this!! Excellent job!!
Thank you for saying so! Kitties are a huge fan of this piece. I’ve got a second one in the works! Please come back again! Have a wonderful weekend. Koko
Awesome Tree House Scratching Post!! ๐ Your pet’s must have been like ‘Wow Mom, like you are so COOL!!!’ My sister is a veterinarian and big animal lover too. She is starting up her own Pet Care Center and I wrote the post below to help her out. Being the animal lover you are, I thought you might find it interesting ๐ Keep up the great work!!! https://savesomeoneyoulove.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/support-the-ethical-treatment-of-pets/
Awesome! I’m going to check out the link. I wanted to be a vet when I was a little girl (among other professions). I’ve always had a love for them. In my house no matter where I am they always follow so I am never far from my posse apparently! I’m surrounded by my own secret service agents! I hope my crew think I’m “cool”! Have a wonderful day! And thanks for the link!
Hey Koko!
I also have cats on my own and I will definitely try to make this little house for them. ๐
Loved your blog btw!
Xoxo,
Rita ๐
Thank you so much for saying so Ana! I’m happy you found your way here! Your cats will love this! Mine scratch in the post daily not to mention napping in and on it! Have a wonderful Sunday! ๐
This is a very inspiring entry. We have cats (4) and I just had to tear down my “catio” due to my remodeling project. As I was contemplating how we could make the inside of our home more cat-friendly, I came up with some ideas which expand on your original concept. The pictures were the best, and it is obvious that the cats love it. And so does your little doggie.
Thanks again, and I hope to have some ‘cat friendly’ remodeling results in the not too distant future.
I’d love to see what you come up with. A “catio” would be so great to have! In the house I’m in right now, I’ve been trying to come up with something where they can go outside through a place in the window…they would climb up and over a walkway into their own “catio”! Not sure if it will happen in this home, but the idea sure is nice. Please post pictures! I can always use ideas too! Thank you Frank for stopping by. I really appreciate you commenting. Have an amazing week ahead! ๐
This is the first time I have ever seen a Cat-house! It looks so cozy and pretty! ๐
Thank you! The cats sure love it! I’m setting out to make another. Great to see you! I absolutely love your “tales”. Have a happy day!
You are so crafty! Bread-making and wood-smith! You master the two things I wished I could do! ๐
You are so kind Hari. I do think you could easily do these things! If you do take up baking and woodworking…. Don’t stop your story telling and keep on drawing! ๐
You are a very talented creative woman! ๐ Waw! If the cats & a dog are happy, that means it is something fabulous, hey? ๐
Yes and when they are happy, I’m happy! ๐
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koKo i wish i could do projects like this! Impressive!
You are very kind. I like working with my hands. And on the plus side, I save a lot too! ๐ I know you can do projects. You sound like a resourceful gal. I started with really simple things and kept learning as I went. Baby steps! Take care Lynz. ๐
Take care! Thanks amazing blog! Will try a project
my cats will love these
Yours will love this. Mine are on them all throughout the day. Nice to see you here! Have a great rest of your weekend!
Wow, it looks great! Very attractive and way better than the poorly made ones that are over $100. Your cats are so very cute!
Thank you! Yeah I think they are cuties! They know I think that and they take advantage of it every chance they get! Thank you for stopping by!
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AH your cats are adorable. My cat would LOVE this!!! Great design.
-Carissa
The kitties love this piece of furniture. They scratch on it daily and snuggle inside the sleeping area. Great to see you here! Have a wonderful day! ๐
This is terrific! I am in awe of your abilities to repurpose materials-you are very talented and creative!
Your comment had put a needed smile to my face this morning. Thank you for such a nice words. The cats do love it. And makes a nice surface to set a coffee cup when they are napping elsewhere! Have a happy Sunday! ๐
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It has a clear endorsements from the cats. And very handsome cats they are.
They do love the post. It gets loads of scratching! I appreciate the compliment. I may not tell them you think that they are handsome. Their heads might get bigger than they already are! Haha. Have a happy day!
My experience of cats tells me compliments only confirm what they know, so, basically, they’re nice but they change nothing.
Super cool!
Thank you for saying so! The kitties think so too! Happiness to you and the whole year through. ๐
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Thank you kindly! ๐ Happy new year!
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This looks amazing! I want one! It seems to be spacious and sturdy enough to accommodate them all. Would you share the dimensions, please?
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