Design: The Is-It-a-Side-Table-or-a-Catbox-Cover Catbox Cover
Price: About 50 bucks, including all the accoutrements
Name: Dana (aka aquarabbit)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Pet's Name: Tallulah
Size & Type: Short-haired cat
Pitch: "Hi there, here's two quick snaps of my studio-apartment solution to the dreaded catbox problem. Since the bathroom is so tiny, the only place for the catbox was the kitchen--ugh. My solution is to be hyper-vigilant about changing it, and keeping it hidden with a fancy non-catbox-cover cover." [more pics below]
Contest Info
"The table is a little kids play table from IKEA (the Gulliver); it fits the dimensions of the enclosed catbox perfectly. I topped it off with a window shade from Cost Plus, a plant, some candles, and of course, some cat-related art. The candles do double duty to make the place oh-so-romantic and enchanting and to hide any residual cat odors left over from my previously mentioned hyper-vigilant cleaning. I've had people over for dinner who didn't notice it until it was pointed out. The perfect crime!"
Pet design you covet most or would buy for your pet if you had all the money in the world: "... is a couch covered in a magic material that repels both cat hair and cat claws."
Thanks Dana!
Coincidentally, I bought the exact same table for the same purpose (the dimensions were perfect). I didn't think it was working, but the way you covered it makes all the difference. Great idea.
Joni, that's so funny. I wonder how IKEA feels about this repurposing of its product?
Great idea! It's functional, decorative, and most importantly cheap! I've been waiting for the perfect solution to present itself on this forum so that I can copy it!
I think I might cover the legs with fabric instead of using the shade.
One question though, is it just the plain litter box, or does it have the plastic "roof" top on it?
Terrific idea...
I'm distracted by admiring the cat. Oh lookit those littlewhitePAWS and those bigsoulfuleyes!
Rebecca, it is a catbox with a lid on top and a clear plastic door. She plays with the door a lot when she's in there. I think she might be insane.
Oh Wende, she is *such* a soulful kitty...!
What an awesome solution. I was ready to run out and buy a pre-made catbox cover, but I like this so much better!
I wonder what size the window shade was and whether it needed to be trimmed.
Devon, I got the window shade on clearance at Cost Plus/World Market. I had to trim it, but it was pretty easy to cut. I used the shade because I couldn't find any fabric I liked; the kitchen already has so much color that I wanted something really neutral with just a little texture. The wood piece on the bottom of the shade gives it a nice weight so it doesn't fly around.
Great! Easy enough. Thanks so much for the info. I am so all over this idea. Like, going to Ikea tonight all over it. What a lifesaver. It's reasons like these I love AT! Thanks again!! Hope you and Tallulah win 1st!
P.S. LOVE your art, by the way. Happy and dreamy and your naming conventions top it all off so perfectly!
Dana: What a great idea! I sure hope you win. And I absolutely LOVE your kitty; so beautiful!
While I love the other ideas AT readers have submitted on the LA, NY & Chicago blogs, this one I love because it's simple, inexpensive, effective and accessible. Anyone of us can copy this idea today without any tools, skills, or lots of money. Kudos, Dana. Hopefully, my IKEA has the table!
Wow am I late on this one, but WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Geez, the table is only $20, and Ikea sells blinds that appear to be the same length. FAN-TASTIC solution to such a common problem!
Here's the table:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10103&storeId=12&langId=-1&productId=15033
And here's the blinds:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15594&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=10842&langId=-1&categoryId=15847&chosenPartNumber=03508312
A piece of cloth measured to 59 inches x 24 inches would probably work well too (plus you could wash it now and then to make sure it doesn't start to smell...) but I love the look of wood, so I'd think blinds would be sweet!
Kudos to you Aquarabbit!!! This is an idea I will return to!!!