Pet time – catnap table

26 Sep 2024

Build your kitty its own comfy, mid-century-style hidey-hole. There are all kinds of cat beds and hidey-holes out there to buy, but how many of them will fit right in with your interior design? This simple, stylish box bed is the perfect solution. Resene Colour Enhance is a great option if you’re using upcycled wood or want the look of older timber as it adds colour while allowing the wood grain to show through.

You will need: 

• Two sheets of 18mm x 600mm x 1200mm plywood, (we had the ply pre-cut to this size for transporting).  
• 4 x pre-made 150mm high table legs
• 4 x T-nuts to screw table legs to base piece (make sure you get the same thread measurement as the furniture legs)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Saws, including a circular blade for cutting the entrance arch
• Compass
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• 24 x 38mm wood screws
• Sandpaper
• Speed brush
• Resene Colour Enhance Jarrah
• Your chosen Resene paint for the inside. 

Cut plan

• 2 pieces 600 x 450mm for top and base
• 2 pieces 600 x 300mm for front and back
• 2 pieces 450mm x 300mm for sides 

How to:

Step 1: Measure and cut each piece of the table from the ply sheets

Step 2: To ensure the matching pieces are exactly the same size, cut one then use it as a guide to cut the matching piece.

Step 3: To create the opening, select one of the side pieces and measure 40mm in from both sides along the longer edge.

    
Step 4: Draw a 150mm long line from the end of the timber, 400mm in from the long edge.

Step 5: Find and mark the centre point between the two lines. Our table was 220mm across, so the centre was at 110mm.

Step 6: With a compass create the curve for the opening starting from your centre point and connecting your two lines to create an arch.

 
Step 7: Cut the arch shape out.

Repeat the same process to create the same arch on your front section of ply. Use the shape cut in the side piece as your guide to save measuring again and to make sure the two arches will line up to create the opening.

If desired, paint your pieces of wood on the inside in your chosen Resene colour.

Step 8: On the base section of ply, drill pilot holes for each of the table legs, 65mm in from each corner.

Using a mallet or hammer, bang the T-nut for the table legs into these four pilot holes on what will be the inside of the table.

To bring the table together, stand the side piece without an archway, and the back piece on the floor. Balance the base section on top. Perfectly align the pieces together, then secure with screws along the edge of the base piece. You may need an extra pair of hands to help hold the sections as you screw it together.

Repeat this step with the front piece and the other side piece.

 
Step 9: Turn the table over and screw the top section of ply to the side, front and back.

Step 10: Screw the legs into the base where the pilot holes are so they align to the nuts on the other side.

Sand all edges, wiping off sanding dust.

Step 11: Mix the Resene Aquaclear semi-gloss varnish with Resene Colour Enhance Jarrah to add colour to the finish and apply to the table. We found a speed brush gives a good, even coverage for stains.

Victor the cat is enjoying his new space. Outside finished in Resene Colour Enhance Jarrah mixed with Resene Aquaclear semi-gloss. Inside in Resene Quarter Tana and vase in Resene Pendragon. Big cat in Resene Triple Tana and little cat in Resene Quarter Tana. Wall in Resene Neutral Bay. Floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy.

project LauraGrace McFarland
images Bryce Carleton

Published: 26 Sep 2024