Building a Cat Fortress
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
I ended up building a cat fortress once I added houseplants to my bookshelf corner. Because I wanted this area to resemble a small library, a zen corner, and a nature space, houseplants were a must.
About 10:30 the night before last, I’d just turned off my bedside lamp and settled in when I heard a crash. Simon had reached the spider plant and knocked it onto the floor.
So after chastising him for it, which probably did no good, I put the plant dirt back in the pot and tried moving it to a different spot.
Rhonda had said to me, “No matter where you put those plants, the cats will find a way to get to them.”
She’s probably right, but I won’t go down (or give up) without a spirited fight. I started with one thing in the corner to hold the lamp and the plants, and as I watched those kittens find a way up it, I just kept building until it began to look like a fortress.
I put those quilts in the basket because Simon managed to jump inside it when it was empty. And that gave him a spot to reach the plants.
The basket is there because it covers the top of that box, which impedes their getting to the plants. So you can see how this began and eventually turned into what I call a fortress.
Why Group Houseplants Together?
It’s good to group houseplants together because it creates a humid, jungle-like microclimate. This improves their health by boosting moisture through transpiration.
They also look nice when grouped together, especially if you vary the heights of the plants. I’ve worn myself out trying to make that whole wall look pretty once the bookshelves were put together.
I sit down, and my view is that wall. Then I find myself popping up to rearrange something. I must say, I’m getting quite a bit of exercise!
Someone asked where I got the quilt over the back of the couch. I’ve had it for years, but I looked for it and found it on Wayfair. I also have the matching quilted throw.
The back of the quilt is really pretty, too.
See that galvanized steel wall hanger upside down under the yellow pot? I put that in the galvanized beverage stand to deter climbing kittens. I’ll replace it with a plant when/if they get bored with the houseplants.
Why Do Cats Bother Houseplants?
Cats bother houseplants primarily due to curiosity, boredom, or a need for mental stimulation. I didn’t think the kittens were bored, because they play together all the time. But maybe I need to pay them special attention to distract them from that corner.
Now that I have that area somewhat cat-proof (I hope), they’ve been getting up on the furniture, staring and sniffing at the air. Ivy did the same thing when she was younger, but now she isn’t interested in the plants.
The kittens are about a year and a half old, and those plants seem to bother them mightily. So far, though, after Simon knocked over the plant the night before last, there have been no more disturbances.
See the pretty bird bookmarks inside the lamb? I got those from Amazon: 30 bookmarks for $5.99. I thought about DIYing bookmarks myself, but with my hands, I decided this was a good price and saved myself the trouble.
Anyway, my fortress idea is my attempt to take some of the houseplants off the baker’s rack in my office. They were really packed in there. And I wanted to move some of them to the living room so I can enjoy them in here.
Embroidery Hoop Wall Art:
Did you notice those embroidery hoops I DIYed years ago? That was before my fingers got so arthritic. While digging through everything to find decor for the bookshelves, I happened upon them in a drawer. I decided to use them again here in the living room.
If I’m not mistaken, I think I hot-glued the fabric (or maybe I sewed it) to the hoop, and then added cotton doilies, vintage clip art, and buttons. I just made it up as I went along.
There are more of these embroidery hoop wall art crafts I made back then, but I’m about out of wall space in here.
What’s inside the bookshelves is mostly vintage, I guess you could say. Collected milk glass, old jars, vintage transferware, bottles, etc. I’ve collected all this stuff over time, and now it’s no longer hidden away.
Before & After I Added the Houseplants:
Do you have a place to keep all your books? Or have house plants that your cat or cats like to mess with?
My Simon also once caused a real apocalypse on the shelf with plants — he knocked over a ficus tree, scattered soil all over the carpet, and then sat there looking innocent amid the chaos. After that, I also started building something like a fortress, only instead of baskets and hooks, I used boxes and old stands. And then I realised that while the cats were storming my jungle at home, I needed a way to distract myself from this circus at least a little. So I turned to https://ncube.com/nearshore-software-development-colombia — they quickly assembled a team of developers who took on some of my projects, and I was finally able to enjoy my coffee in peace without reacting to the cat’s latest leap. Now the plants are intact, and I have time to look after the cats and keep my business in shape. I highly recommend it when your home zoo takes up all your time and nerves.
As usual everything looks lovely. I’m very intrigued by your embroidered hoop art. Lovely and sweet. The additions in the pockets are pure perfection.
I love the fortress. The corner is gorgeous.
Sadie Mae loves my airplane plant & the aloe vera. She leaves the rest alone. She can’t get to the aloe vera anymore. All but 1 of the airplane plants are up where she can’t get to them. The largest one is just too heavy, I used to keep it in the bathtub that I didn’t use.
Just curious… with your ankle that gives you trouble, and you knees that are bothering you, too, how do you manage to water your plants?
I am fortunate to have a cat that has no interest in my plants…unless it’s a palm plant. (He likes to bat down the fronds.). But he leaves all my other plants alone. I like the fortress you built. Very stylish. I hope it works for you. Your home is a delight….it just keeps getting better and better! Enjoy your day! 😉
I started with one thing and ended up with this fortress!
Hi Brenda!
Happy belated birthday! Years ago I had a kitten that loved an Aloe plant. I moved it everywhere and he found it every time. I even put it on top of the refrigerator which was the highest point in my house. I gave up and tossed it. Good luck keeping your plants out of reach! Keep us updated!
Daisy gets up on the refrigerator.
Maybe some discipline with your cats would help
Monkey was my only kitty who bothered my house plants. He was either chewing on them or knocking them over. He seemed especially enamored with spider plants. My other two cats never bothered my plants.
I love your hoop art. So creative and pretty!
Those flowing spider plants must have been too hard to resist.
I LOVE the quilt on the back of your couch and the red pillows. The bookshelves look wonderful!
Thank you!
First… Happy birthday Brenda! I hope you’ve had an amazing day! 🧁🍦🎁🎈💐🥳
Second, your bookcase looks amazing! You did a great job. I expected nothing less. It looks so comfortable and cozy.
I have a dog, and when she was a puppy, she only seemed to bother one plant, but since she’s become a big girl, she never bothers them anymore, thankfully.
Thank you!
Beautifully done…my cat leaves my plants alone now…once in awhile will rub herself on the mother in laws tongue…when I first got my plant stand a couple years ago she crawled up and laid between 2 plants…not biting them at all…it is a cute pic…love the book shelves…what a great addition to your home💕
.
I am loving that side of the living room!
Happy 🎂 Birthday, Brenda! Your home is beautiful! Enjoy your day!
Oh that little corner looks so inviting. And I love the new bookcase. You have such a way with decorating. You never fail to make things look so comfortable. The little embroidery hoops are really cute. Great idea. Best of luck with your fortress. And Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady❣️🎂❤️
Thank you, Annette!
It seems my kitties have always gravitated to spider plants. So much so that I had to shelter the plants
because the cats would graze on them at every chance. It must be a nutritional deficiency.
At least it isn’t toxic, but it can cause a little stomach upset, I read.
Thanks for the links! Shopping made easy:)
I like to make it easier on others if I can.
I love the red throw pillows on the sofa. Where are they from, please?
I believe my daughters ordered them on Etsy some years ago for Mother’s Day.
I recently experienced plasma skin tightening at Beauty Pro Nyc, and the results were impressive. My jawline and neck look firmer, and fine lines are visibly reduced. The staff were professional and explained the procedure thoroughly, making it a comfortable experience. For anyone in New York seeking non-surgical skin rejuvenation, this clinic is highly recommended.