Welcome to the 876th Metamorphosis Monday! I awoke to this scene this morning. Thankfully, it should melt over the next day or two.
A previous owner of the Dollhouse shared with me that the bathrooms, kitchen, and Butler’s Pantry were all renovated approximately 20 years ago. I love the renovations, especially the bath renovations that were done in a way that preserved the original 1938 tile, flooring, laundry chute, and Cinderella tub in the master, and the pretty tile, flooring, and shower in the upstairs hall bath. The only thing that was updated was the electrical, plumbing, and cabinetry, which I’m sure all needed it.
But somewhere during the process of renovating the Butler’s Pantry…
Photo from real estate listing
…and the upstairs hall bath…
…holes were created and not sealed off. So, these are not original flaws in this 1938 home; they are unfinished business from the renovations that were done so long ago. This particular hole is in a corner of the Butler’s Pantry, where the desk in that room attaches to the wall, and the hole goes right into an opening in the wall itself!
I don’t know how cats know, but they know. The day I let one of the kittens go into the Butler’s Pantry for the first time (I think it was Beatrice) she made a beeline straight for THE HOLE! The same thing happened when I let one of the kittens into the upstairs hall bath. Later, I discovered that there are actually two such holes in the Butler’s Pantry and not just one as I originally thought. I need to find someone who can finish off those areas.
In the meantime, I cut large pieces of very thick, dense foam packing I had saved from a past delivery, and I layered and stuffed multiple pieces underneath the cabinets to block the holes, just in case someone accidentally leaves the door to this room open. I also have signs on the door (and on the door handle) warning that the door needs to stay closed. As you can see, cats NEVER forget. I don’t know what it is about holes that they find so intriguing, but as soon as I open the door to the Butler’s Pantry, they both run at top speed straight to the holes and start digging at the thick foam with their claws. The first time Beatrice discovered one of the holes in the Butler’s Pantry, she was 3/4ths of the way in with just her back legs and tail sticking out when I dragged her back out! Why do they want to get into those holes so badly?! Is it curiosity, or has nature programmed them to seek out small, dark places—like a survival mechanism when living outside in the real world?
It’s so hard to find tradesmen who are willing to take on small jobs. I’m thinking of going over to Home Depot tomorrow morning when the more experienced associates are working to see if they have any ideas on how I can fix these three kitten-size holes in the Butler’s Pantry and the upstairs hall bath. I don’t think I could get a hammer under there to hammer anything into place, and I’m not sure there’s enough surface to wood-glue something over the holes. How should I go about closing off those holes? Any ideas?
I’ll leave you with a more pleasant scene. Happy Snow Day!
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You need to hire those babies out as home inspectors! LOL This idea is just totally off the top of my head, but what about using the expanding spray foam in a can and while it is still wet, putting a piece of painted wood over it. The foam would provide the “stick or glue” to keep a thin piece of wood in place? I’ve seen videos on how to fix holes in drywall and hollow doors that used this trick.
For sure! They would never miss anything that’s hiddena and within 8 inches off the floor! Ha! Interesting! Thanks for that suggestion!
From the pictures is looks like you could cut a piece of board and set it on the lower shelf or whatever and wood glue to the lower edge and the back of the counter. Without being there that is what I would suggest.
Hope you get it figured out!
Melanie
cats are amazing…we once had an rv and were warned about cats could find hidy holes of course we had more than one cat and they did find secret places it was a zoo good luck
Those kittens can probably smell the trail of the squirrels that ran across the wood framing back when it was still part of a tree!
lol Well, that would have been a long, long time ago. 🙂
A peel and stick piece of tile, if large enough to reach the borders. Maybe Home Depot has open boxes and you can buy 3?
Cats are naturally curious and the two who live with me temporarily always run to the side of my washer hoping to be able to squeeze in between the wall and the washer. I mostly keep my door closed to the laundry.
Wish I could help you with great solutions but I haven’t a clue and don’t understand why the repairman didn’t finish and the owner didn’t insist he finish his project. And to live with it 20 years? Not I. lol
I wonder if the owners knew it was like that. I never would have known if it weren’t for the kittens. Now that I know, it’s gotta get fixed.
The kittens are just precious. Do they sleep with you? ♥
Wendy
Not yet. I’ve tried to let them a few times, but they just want to play and they won’t settle down. One day they will, but right now they are just too silly and playful at night.
Those kittens are SO cute! And yes if it’s dangerous they will seek to get themselves inside! Does your dollhouse neighborhood have a community Facebook page? Lots of people are always asking for a handyman on my community’s FB page and most report back if they were successful in hiring. I hope you can find one. On another note your snow is beautiful!
I would suggest the spray foam filler, it will expand to fit the location and then you could just cut off the excess and paint it. That is what we used on our house, granted it was on the outside, but I see no reason it wouldn’t work on the inside also. Then you could just paint it whatever color needed. So scary hope one of the little kittens doesn’t manage to get in and disappear behind the wall.
Ha – that’s so funny – I’ve wondered the same thing about why cats love small holes! I thought maybe they were looking for mice or something! I don’t have any tips, but I have no doubt you’ll come up with a great solution. I’ll watch this space so I can fix the holes in my walls too! Thanks so much for hosting – hope you have a lovely week!
It’s hard to tell from the photo but, I would turn this area in the Butler’s Pantry into a space for my plastic serving trays….Is there enough room for that? Is the area open all the way to the floor..? I did this on either side of my stove in the kitchen because there was a equal space on each side after we set the gas stove up, so I utilized the space by putting a little door on each side for trays..!! I love that area now….perfect for long, thin serving trays. Unfortunately, my guess for why the kitties are so interested in those hidey-holes is: Mice..??!! In the bathroom, it looks like a small piece of wood trim would fix that..?? Only suggestions……..
No, thankfully, I haven’t had any mice issues. They are just obsessed with squeezing into any hidey hole, including behind furniture and washing machines. I understand why cats need 9 lives now because they are into everything at this age!
I may redo the Butler’s Pantry at some point, and possibly remove the desk since I don’t need a desk down there. If I ever move here full-time, I will for sure want to make some changes in that room.
Thank God…No Mice..!!
What if you took a piece of foam board to use temporarily and drew a pattern for a piece of laminated board to glue in? Don’t you have a jigsaw (in Georgia, right)? I made a horrible mistake with spray foam. Looked white. Dried orange. Plus, it looked like flour dough on my fingers and acted like super glue.
The snow is pretty, but no thanks. It will be in the 30’s tonight so I had to cover my tropical plants and bromeliads. Naturally, it rained yesterday. Remember to buy string lights that are not LED at after Christmas sales for plants.
Thanks for hosting….and kittens find a way to get into everything! grins, Sandi
Oh, kittens! I’ve had 6 in my time, and what they don’t get into doesn’t merit talking about! I would just get a woodworker out to properly close up those 2 holes. Isn’t it amazing what people are willing to live with? You will be the one to finally get it set to rights.
It’s 36 in Acworth right now with a howling nw wind. Tonight snow flurries expected. At least you have a dusting of snow to make it pretty.
Yes, cats know! During a renovation project years ago, I had a temporary, small hole in the floor, which I tried to make sure was always covered. My house is on a raised foundation. One day the workers has left it uncovered and my cat was quickly under the house. If there was a video of me crawling on my belly under the house to retrieve her from that crawl space, I’m sure I could have a You Tube hit!
Sadly, my 20 old Sadie had to be put to sleep last month. I’ve often thought of you Susan and how difficult you said it was to live with the loss of your Max. It is a very tough process.
Hi! I’ve too many cats over the years to count, and currently have two Maine Coon mix brothers – a handful doesn’t begin to describe them but too sweet. I believe they can smell the “fresh” air coming into the house through the hole. My two are always trying to “escape” which is not allowed. You may also have remnants of old mice or others who prior owners dispatched (they went into the wall to die). It is the new smells that attract them. When one of mine returns home from the vet, he brings the smells of the animals from the vet and the other cat strikes out at the returning cat. I would add to the signage that the kittens would be harmed if allowed in those rooms. BTW, yours look like Main Coons too- especially the ear size and the fur in the ear, whiskers etc. Good luck!
We tried the spray foam to cover gaps. It sprays white but dries orange. See if you can find wood kitchen cabinet toe kicks or any thin wood at your local home improvement store. Perhaps, it can be trimmed to cover the holes.
Susan, the dollhouse looks adorable with it’s dusting of snow. So picturesque. And speaking of adorable, those kittens! Maybe they think they’ve discovered a mouse hole, with a juicy little mouse inside. (I hope not. I don’t want any in my house, but I feel for them when it’s cold outside.)
I liked Sharon’s ideas. Both for the ‘home inspectors’ and the spray foam, though I’ve never used the latter and don’t know if it’s appropriate for your spots.
As for Aggie and Bea, I can picture them with glasses and a clipboard, making the rounds and checking every short inch of the house, lol.
Susan,
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are having a great week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Hi Susan! If you’re not really careful (I really don’t know the size of your “holes”), spray foam can be very messy! And it may not be a permanent solution. Definitely get ideas from home improvement experts. I would find a handyman in the area and find out what he suggests. As for the kitties attacking the foam pieces you put in the hole, could you possibly put a piece of cardboard on top that they wouldn’t tear up so easily? It’s a thought. I really think the hole needs to be permanently sealed if possible. It might take some wood, or a piece of drywall – or even the tiles as suggested. This takes, in my humble opinion, someone with knowledge and know-how to correct the situation correctly. By the way, your fur babies are cute! I’m certain their playfulness brings you much joy.
Oh wow, how odd is that? Leave it to those curious little bundles of love to find them. Sure hope you find someone soon. Never a dull moment is there? Wasn’t the snow we got last night gorgeous? I was so excited it was still there this morning. I love snow. And finally, how is your poor broken hand?
Aggie and Bea are adorable. Cats are mischievous and smart. I wonder if the kitties could claw through spray foam! I have a four month old kitten and she is a handful. I hope you’re able to get this situation resolved quickly. I remember you bought a new washing machine and exchanged it for one that was closer to the height of your dryer. What is the brand of the washing machine that you ended up with? I’m having a similar problem.
I use handyman companies for things like this. There are two that have good reviews in my city, and I’ve used both. I usually wait to compile a list of small tasks and have them all done at once.
you know the saying ” CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT,,,,BUT SATISFACTION BROUGHT IT BACK!” in regards to the kitty’s going into holes! your house with the snow is pretty but looks cold there