Читать книгу DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs - Armelle Rau - Страница 5

INTRODUCTION

When we are enchanted by some beautiful object we’ve seen online, on a blog, on Pinterest, or perhaps in a decorating magazine, we may fall in love and decide that we simply must have it. In these moments we have two choices: either buy the original, no matter the cost, even if we end up paying for it over the course of months, or build it ourselves. This is the do-it-yourself principle: when we make things ourselves, we express our creativity and feel joy and pride.

When we—there’s always a “we” in the projects in this book—first began making DIY projects for our apartment, we started with a few basic pieces that enhanced our daily lives: a little side table, then a wardrobe that saved us a bundle, then an entire bookcase, and finally lamps. Now, more than half of the furnishings in our apartment in Nantes, France, were made by us.

In this book, you’ll find plenty of ideas to simultaneously brighten up your home and please your pet. The furniture we’ve designed and built is more original and attractive than what you see in pet stores. We’ve never been able to find store-bought items that keep our cat entertained, hide unsightly necessities, and offer protection, all in one.

In true do-it-yourself spirit, this book combines practicality with a view to keeping costs down. You won’t find expensive projects here. We work with found objects, scrap wood, and simple materials. You don’t have to be an expert do-it-yourselfer, either. All you need is a little patience and creativity. We provide the basics, and then we leave it up to you to personalize your handiwork.

So put aside Instagram, Pinterest, and the Internet for a little while and rediscover the pleasure of paper and the scent of a brand-new book in your hands. We really hope this attractive addition to your bookshelf will inspire you to build many things on your own!