Small Space Birdhouse: The Roost

I like birds. I mean to say I like most birds. I’m not down with Alfred Hitchcock’s birds or my annoying neighbor that feeds every pigeon in the city, but for the most part birds are fine in my book.

When I was a child, my grandfather had a Purple Martin birdhouse. Each year when the birdhouse went back up, I thought the birds that returned were the same birds. I actually thought their name, as in family, name was the Martins.

Well, in the cit where I live now, there is no room for a Martin birdhouse and I doubt the martins would like my neighborhood. I think they were more country birds. There are a great many birds in the city and a small birdhouse is an easy way to help provide a safe nesting area.

The Roost by Hepper is a perfect city birdhouse. Its sleek aluminum design makes it stand out from ordinary birdhouses. The roost is durable, non heat-conductive and stylish. There are several vibrant colors and anodized aluminum is extremely durable. These small birdhouses are well thought out with vents and drains to make your tenants comfortable.

Birdhouses are a nice addition to any outdoor area and you could make friends with a bird family for life.

Small Space Pets: More Cat Products

I have a cat — if you are a regular reader, you know this. I have already introduced you Koneko, my cat.

We are always looking for quality cat products and furniture not made of cardboard carpet tubes. Enter Square Cat Habitat, a new manufacturer of modern bamboo cat furniture.

There are several pieces available; all made of renewable bamboo with removable / replaceable carpet inserts.

The Bastet is a freestanding shelf with scratch pads on each side and a carpeted top. The Buddha is a wall-mounted carped shelf that can be used as a window perch or staggered for a climbing play area. The Itch is modern minimalist wall mounted scratch pad.

All three pieces can be customized with wide array of carpet inserts to match your décor. These cat products that look like they are made in this century — once again encourage me and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Small Space Pets: The Climber

So by now you all know I have a cat. And that I am always looking for cat related products that keep my home from looking like a “cat lady house”. I am delighted to announce the arrival of a new company that — not only designs innovative products for your cat — they also design them to be beautiful.

Cat Livin has an array of products that peaked my curiosity, but the product that really caught my eye was The Climber.

The Climber is remarkable! It is a patented spring-loaded, door-mounted cat tree. It attaches safely to any door and provides a perfect perch for your feline. But more than just a perch — your cat can scratch, exercise and play on The Climber.

Cat Livin really nailed it with The Climber. Not only does it look great while packing in a ton of functionality, it is perfect for small space living. It mounts to a door so no floor space is used and very little room is occupied. It is also very easy to move so you can change locations in your home and you can take it with you if you move.

If you have a cat and a small space, The Climber is the product for you and your cat. Cat Livin’s products are not just for small homes — products like The Climber are sure to be conversation pieces in any home. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Small Space Pets: Cat Pod Bed

This is a creative new ideal for a cat bed. The Pod Bed offers a safe, cozy and elevating sanctuary for you feline. It is available in 6 designer colors, so one will certainly match your small space. It’s not a large piece and with its thin legs, the Pod Bed looks smaller than it actually is. It’s nice to find functional pieces of cat furniture that can be incorporated into a modern home without making it a cat lady house. A great find via decorate it darling.

More Small Space Pets

Last week we talked about cats — this week it’s fish. I have always liked fish and have had several aquariums. For a time, I even had a mini reef tank with living corals and more life than you could imagine. Aquariums are not for everyone. Salt-water tanks — particular reef tanks — require a good bit of upkeep and a healthy dose of knowledge. They can however be a very rewarding hobby. I sat for countless hours staring into my reef tank each time noticing some new life I had previously missed — they are a joy.

Spacearium has some of the most incredible aquariums I have ever seen. They solve many problems by eliminating the need for a stand; the tanks are mounted into the ceiling. The mounting system is also used to pipe the water to and from the tank for remote filtering. Allowing the bulky filtering system that is usually mounted on or under the tank allows for a light airy feel to their tanks. The whole set-up is great. The price tag is not for the meek — prices start over $4,000.

Small Space Pets

So do you have a pet in your small space? I do. I want to first inoculate you against preconceptions by saying I’ve always thought of my self as a dog person. I had several average dogs as a younger person and one wonderful Doberman. As an adult I have tinkered with several small pets, think small aquariums and the like. I currently have a cat.

We picked her up one night while sitting on our front stoop, a beat-up, half-starved kitten. I could go on and on and tell you how Koneko is easily the best pet I have ever had, but that’s a post for another day.

Today I have a fare more grave issue to discuss. My dear friend is dead. No not my cat, her litter box. Sorry if that got you going, but this is dire. I have owned a Littermaid for over 2 years. I’m not sure if you are aware of this most amazing invention so I’ll tell you. It is an automated, low-maintenance and self-cleaning litter box. The LitterMaid is outstanding. It has a sensor that tracks your cat’s trips to the box and several minutes after each visit it rakes the box and deposits the waste in a plastic receptacle with optional charcoal filter. Mine has worked flawlessly, more or less, for over 2 years. There were a few snafus along the way, mostly my fault, I said low-maintenance not no-maintenance. There is a marginal amount of filling changing the receptacle and general tidying up require but the LitterMaid does the heavy lifting.

So breaking after 2 years is kind of a bummer but when I think how it has kept my house clean and most importantly odor free I’d buy it again in a heartbeat. In fact I think I will. There is a new updated model the LME9250 with even more features. It now has a more easily removable steel rake, a built in ionic air filter, and my favorite a timer to set a time when it will not clean like while I’m sleeping. It also looks generally better built; the mechanics look to be more concealed which will make for easier cleaning. One drawback is the size it’s just big but you can stash it somewhere out of sight like a closet and almost forget you have it. I said almost.

Oh and here are pictures of Koneko just to prove she is happy and healthy.