Use code “RNJ“ for $5 off your first Sakuraco box here: team.sakura.co/racheljunadventures-SC2309 Welcome to my failure sandwich video. I have a couple other ideas for the door and I want to try to make it as soon as possible so it doesn't turn into a "yeah one day I'm going to finish that. One day..." situation. So hopefully next video will be a victory sandwich!
Why did you cut out the name or model of your new Lav Mic kit? Are you holding out for a sponsorship or something? Please include a link to the new mic your using in the video description
hi rachel and jun great videos, i would recommend caulking around the frame so moisture doesn't leak into the wall and create black mold , also if you haven't already i would recommend placing a carbon monoxide alarm near it just in case keep up the content i can't wait for the next video😃
Maybe for the door you can use pretty wooden dowels that have ribbon or rope stapled to each one on the vertical edges to create a vertical "wooden rope bridge " instead of the horizontal ones. Like the ones you see on playgrounds or even some of the wall climbing cat bridges that hang between platforms but just the door version. I don't know if my suggestion for round dowels will help but I was trying to think of a way to help reduce noise when the cats use the door, other than spacing them far enough apart, also reducing the amount of wood surfaces that could possibly come into contact with each other during movement. I look forward to seeing how you end up solving this small set back but I am still very impressed with the diy project nonetheless overall. ❤
I absolutely love that you immediately went "oh, this design has a potential danger, and even though I invested a lot of time in this, the risk is unacceptable". Not to mention supervising there first use of it and everything. I love watching you guys make these things and showing us the struggle!
I hope Rachel and Jun reads my comment. They could use a door drapery or just a flat fabric with weights on the bottom. I feel this would be the safest way to do it, if you don't want light shining through. If that doesn't matter, just leave the hole open.
@@spooky-pumpkin use wool or cotton batting as an interface and use a fabric with a wood print on it so it has the same effect. use velcro so they can swap it out! kinda like this? www.purina.com.au/fancyfeast/thelounge/-/media/project/fancyfeast/article-content/designer-cat-flaps/image-3-the-fabric-flap.jpg?la=en&hash=17F3C8B7031E82A1BEACE6357DA558FD
I was going to say that I never had a problem with the audio quality before the new mics, but hearing Nagi purr at the end made them 120% worthwhile to have. ❤️
i think the cat flap for the cat door would be really cute as a noren, the traditional japanese fabric dividers like those seen at bars and sushi places. it would be entirely safe for the cats, silent when used, easier to push, washable, block light, and be aesthetically pleasing!
If I may suggest a solution for the litterbox. Buy a big piece of plexiglass and make circular cutouts for the plants. This way you can have the rocks below and the plate above providing a safe cover for the cats to walk on and not get down below. You could put up a little blackout curtain piece on the bedroom side, for them to pass through. Just hanging over to help prevent most light from coming in at night, without being a risk for the cats.
I feel Rachel and Jun's pain, once a cat begins urinating in a space, it's pretty much impossible to get them to stop, the main focal point under the stairs is the plants, the gravel is a nice detail, but to me it's not necessary. :D
put a lip of silicone around the circular cutouts (on the top of the plexiglass, not around the inside edge). this will both give the planters some cushion and stability and also make it so if the cats DO pee on the plexiglass, it wont leak down into the rocks or onto the planters.
Rachel- I just want to say that as a woman I've always just sort of thought... I can't do DIY tasks, and don't even try. Seeing you just going ahead and doing things is really inspiring- even more so somehow because your lines aren't always super straight and you have to fill things; you always end up tidying it up with extra finishing work and the outcome is always functional; even when like this it's not exactly how you wanted. Your confidence to try making stuff that might be above your skill range is really inspiring to me to make me think that I could probably also do some of the tasks I put off thinking I should get my dad/brother to come over to do it for me
As a contractor for many years let me assure you that as skilled as construction worker or craftsman may be all that cussing going on is for a reason. We run into issues all the time where things must be rethought out or scrapped and started a new. Maybe not all the time but it happens to the best of us so never be intimidated to pick up a hammer and hammer. You’ll surprise yourself just how capable you actually are. You must realize that you’re a member of the most industrious and expert problem solving species that ever walked the face of the earth to this point, go for it!🪛😃🔨
I totally agree!! My dad is a carpenter (like, professionally), so I too have a habit of just asking him to do things for me. But I really want to have Rachel's confidence to just try it myself, and my dad can fix it if I screw it up. 😂
As a man, I can assure you that anyone can do DIY tasks. Try it all - even if you fail, you learn something. I learned how to weld from a lady and she was probably the best teacher I've ever had. You can do it, ladies!
@@safaiaryu12 If he is good at explaining maybe just ask him to teach you his trade. Take you on certain jobs until you are efficient enough to your liking. It is also a nice bonding time.
😆Watching Poki go through the flap while following food is like watching a living Hoover in action. He's so focused on the food that when you praise him for going through the door, he's like, "Door? What door? There was a door?"
I actually think it looks nice without the door. The cats look like they're coming out of portraits. I know it's different from what you originally wanted, but good work!
How about making a curtain rather than a swinging door? No worries of light coming in, and then can push through without pinching any kitties! Always great to see you with power tools, I love some good DIY too!
@@RachelandJunAdventures My cats would tear that fabric to shreds in a day. :) But there are flexible dog door flaps on the maket. Buy one and trim it to fit.
@@RachelandJunAdventures if you use fabric or something similar, it is best to put a light weight at the bottom edge so the curtain goes down after the cats go through...
@@s.n.9920 I'm not sure any vegans need to die for this project. I mean, I'm not opposed to the idea of using vegan skin for the door, but it takes so long to dry and dealing with the cops can get messy if they weren't a registered vegan.
Yes! We had the same problem of cats wanting to come in and out of the room but us wanting to keep the door closed to prevent light from coming in. We hung light blocking curtains in front of the door and keep the door cracked open now. I imagine the same solution could apply here.
Well, two things: 1. Even without the door, it is beautiful looking. 2. From the viewer perspective, this video is not a failure, but a smashing success. Not only did you show us the reality of a project working partway, but every clip in this video from the beginning, through the ad, and to the end made me smile on a bad day. It was full of little comedy moments and provided some semblance of comfort to people in the world. I loved this video thoroughly. I don't even know why, I just did. Also, the way you edited the beginning was hilarious. Edit: Also, I am sorry you've been going through a rough month. Same here in a different way, but it'll get better. Thank you for just being you.
@@mellie4174 Is this going to be one of those situations where I explain why it would work just fine and you disagree and your arguments don't seem to make sense and we find out ultimately that it was all just a miscommunication because you didn't read the part about the door being flexible rubber? Because I just can't handle another ridiculous frustrating conversation.
@@kathyperry9341 yeah two flaps could work. I was thinking just one on the bedroom side but two flaps would probably further reduce the heat and sound transfer between rooms.
Aww, this video ended in the best possible way. The cats gathered around to let you know that they love having their own little bedroom door. They don't see that anything went wrong; they're just happy you take such good care of them!
The big sigh from Rachel at the start was all I needed to hear to know I was going to be incredibly entertained by this video!! I'm surprised you two always have the energy and creativity to diy stuff all the time! Also thanks for being so transparent about your 'failure sandwiches', not everything goes perfectly every time and you two are great at showing that!!
Well, it kinda became part of her job really. They post here only once a month so I’m pretty sure they have all the time in the world. But I LOVE when she has a new cat project, it’s so much fun! ❤️👍
Like others have suggested, curtains for the little door! I thought maybe the style of curtain they have outside some Japanese restaurants like ramen shops might be cute :)
For a cat safe door, would a small bamboo mat or a heavy weight fabric with weights at the bottom work? If you use a heavy weight fabric you could also style it like little curtains so the cats can just push through the middle and you can tie it up on either side if you just want it open.
Oooo I like this idea! I wonder if they could find one of the places that recycles old Kimonos and use some pretty Kimono fabric. Or style it like the curtains on the Hakata Yatai~ Instead of ラーメン it could read ネコ 😆
Great ideas! Or a combination of both would work. Get a sushi rolling mat for the flexible structure and cover it with a pretty fabric to help block outside light. 😊
I did something exactly like this in my own house! It worked great. The only problem with the curtain is that it acquires a lot of cat-hair over time, but that's what laundry day is for, right?
Not having a door on it for a bit is a great way to build the cat's confidence for going through it. Should make it easier for them to use the new door once it's installed. ❤ And the new for will be safe! 🎉 Celebrate your achievement.
@@RachelandJunAdventures 21:43 I know it's been a few months, but you could easily use a natural placemat made of natural branches or bamboo cut to size, or vertical hanging beads or put together dowel type rods.
For outside, bubble machines help keep bugs away, especially mosquitos! Plus bubbles are fun to look at. I use it when camping or sitting outside wanting to read or enjoy the sun. -Signed, a girl who lives in Florida and is the one who is usually torn up the bugs. 💖
I know it's not quite the same, but maybe a glass screen over the rock bed could work as a compromise! :) Like how you sometimes see in hotels/etc That aside, I would probably have put some legs underneath the catflap tunnel, so the weight isn't entirely supported by the drywall! :3
Im seconding all the suggestions for the cat door to be cloth like the onsen entrances! Little minatures could be cute and you could swap out the curtains when you want to too! Good luck with the accidental new litterbox issue, hope Nagi unleaena the habit!
Looking at that cat passage it is not a failure. Also, I think the cats just like being with you on the floor at the end. Things not going according to your first plan is not a failure, it is a change of plans, and this ended up great.
Typically, cat doors are made with flexible vinyl or rubber flaps that is at least semi-transparent, so maybe that would be a better replacement for the door? You can also add a gasket around the edges to help insulate it better. It's also important to create a way to seal off the cat door in the event that you need to keep the cats out (say if you have a contractor coming to do electrical work or something). Good luck! ❤
You might have already tried this, but doing a super deep cleaning (or multiple super deep cleanings) of the grout & tile where the rocks were may help with Nagi being stubborn and still seeing the tile as a litterbox even though there’s no rocks there. If there’s even the slightest trace of the scent of cat pee there, the cats still want to see it as a litterbox 🥲 An enzymatic cleaner (like nature’s miracle or something similar) would probably be helpful, maybe cleaning it with steam as well too? With time the odor should fade enough on its own but the most aggressive of cleaning should help as well. Dealt with this a lot with an elderly cat who was litterbox challenged thanks to kitty dementia and the spot he chose was carpet; the only thing that worked was hiring a professional carpet cleaning company, as no level of hand scrubbing and use of consumer-grade carpet cleaning chemicals could get all of the smell out 😭 Hopefully it being tile will work in y’all’s favor!
Yes I fully agree, cats can smell pee odor even if you cleaned it. Traces of it will be left, just like marking an area with feromones. I had a simelar issue with a cat peeing against my front door. I just a dutch product ecodor that breaks it down with bacteria or something. After this my front door was clean while all the neighbors doors still had pee on them. At one point the cats will associate the smell of the bleach ammanio or lemon with the cat pee smell becouse at that place they peed it will smell like both. One other thing I learned is that when something smells out of place has a wrong scent. Cats will try to make it smell ok, by rubbing feromones on it or even peeing on it. So the current smell in the area might trigger Nagi to make it smell good again.
white vinegar and water mix will do the same and save you money, plus as something completely natural, no harm to cats, it might be good to invest in a blacklight flashlight, turn off the lights, turn on the flashlight and cat urine will glow, so you can see where to clean up!
I'm amazed at how quickly your varicose veins were diagnosed, how quickly you were able to get set up for a procedure, and that it was covered by your insurance. My best friend is having the hardest time out here in America getting her varicose veins taken care of, we were just talking about how she's still fighting her insurance over it. I'm happy you were able to get it done!!
We're all our own worst critic, but I think it looks great! I know it's not what you wanted, and not currently done, but I think it's fantastic so far! Give yourself a little credit, you're doing this all on your own and for the first time. :) (And look at how great it is despite the mosquitos attempts at stopping you!)
Tear out tip: Put tape on both sides of your cut line and score it with a razor blade. This will pre-cut the edge and the tape will assist with reducing tear out.
The Nagi purring ASMR at the end was a complete win! Shame the door didn't pan out but I know you both will find a solution! For now the kitties do have a way in and out at least ♥
While I absolutely love the cat crafting, I relate so hard to the “my body did something odd. Hmmmm that’s probably fine.” Mine was that parents shouldn’t teach you to relocate your toes after stubbing them. That’s a dislocation and hyper mobility.
Such a big mood. In my family, migraines, hypermobility and GI issues were just a part of daily life, so I never even considered that a) it wasn't actually normal and b) there might be treatment for it beyond aspirin.
I'm actually in the process over the last few years of making various appointments regarding conditions/issues or stuff that's bothered me just to make sure nothing is up or wrong or off. Finally got a skin issue possibly sorted that I just chalked up to "I'm just sensitive skinned in specific places." It's so good to actually not ignore things. Even if they are just a mild annoyance or whatever, it's better to get it checked out and "on the record" regarding your health, in case it ever is correlated to other conditions. If they are benign or even if not much can be done about it, it's better to just know and prevent any possible future damage by understanding what is going on. Better yet to actually find solutions or ways to alleviate irritation/itch/pain/discomfort caused by various things we all just ignore because it seems like a bother.
Not a failure just a work in progress, and Rachel you look amazing in that mosquito net, runway models should be jealous. You and Jun are both inspiring and my daughter and I love watching your videos together. And you're responsible pet parents!
The cat door turned out amazing Rachel! You should be proud of yourself because it looks better than most available for purchase, for real! I would totally buy the "broken escalator" version because that just seems more appealing to my cats.
I wasn't having the best mental health day, but seeing all the effort you go to to make your house even more cat friendly made me smile. Thanks, Rachel and Jun.
I love that you built a house for yourselves to accommodate all your needs and wishes. And then you decide the wall needs a hole in it. All jokes aside, I live for this vibe of continuous improvement, especially when it's for the sake of the cats
Rachel's pure glee at having made a thing was delightful and infectious, and I thoroughly enjoyed crafting vicariously through you. Jun is always so encouraging and supportive too
For the cat door you could use a blackout fabric with weights at the bottom or if concerned with cleaning maybe strips of a flexible woody material like bamboo strung together? Bead curtains could also work. For the former rock garden; you can get a spray with enzymes that breaks down the components of cat urine scent which should dissuade them from peeing there again. After you could maybe fashion a lid for the stones out of plexi, some type of tempered glass or a clear acrylic plastic; cut holes in it for the plants to poke out (and for watering). Easier to keep clean than the stones for sure. Just trying to brainstorm some options!
Animals pick up on air currents and temperature variations so much better than we do. Like when your dog or cat finds a specific spot on the floor where they love to lay. It is highly possible that the new cat tunnel is causing a minor, cool air current from the room to the hall that the cats find comfortable.
You should use "woven wooden shade" as a type of door for this project. They flow really easily and the cats won't get caught in it. You could also put them on both sides to lower the light level if wanted.
You know the more and more of the projects you do the better they keep coming out! It's really impressive to see how much better your technique has gotten, well done!
It's so important when showing a process of construction that you show all steps, even the mistakes. That way people know what to look out for and this is a perfect example ❤ while the door isn't complete the actual hole in the wall took so much effort and it looks so well put together you should be proud 🎉
i love to see rachel's struggles and achievements while working on any project, i definitely felt that ending speech where rahcel said "i have a bit of failures with all my projects but i will figure something out". its definitely frustrating when encountering annoying obstacles on the way of your projects and i love your mindset handling those obstacles. you DEFINITELY got this and i love to see your improvement, motivation and creativity in these videos! love the both of you
I just figured out that I have two Rachels that I watch on RU-vid that: -hate summer heat -have red hair -do diy projects and usually say "good enough" and the projects still turn out amazing It's great and I love it!
As a possible fix for the door, fabric hung over a rod and secured at the bottom by magnets should work well (and you can put padding between the magnets to still get the attraction without a "clicking" sound when they close). I also liked what a few other people said about bamboo mats for flexibility, but you'll want to edge them with softer fabric in case the cats lift from one side instead of straight from the middle. But overall, it is a beautiful cat portal! Great solution for cats wanting in and out of a room when you want to still keep the door shut.
Rachael cutting through the wall reminds me of a Mr. Bean episode in which he destroyed his phone line and several pictures when attempting to make a transom window 😂 The cat tunnel is awesome!
My tip when doing the 45 degree angles on the trim pieces would be to use the hand saw instead of doing them with power tools. When doing such small cuts, if you don't have a miter saw, it's quite hard to get perfect cuts with a regular circle saw. It's better to just do them by hand, that way you have way more control. I always used to do those kinds of cuts on my miter saw, and even then they didn't always come out perfect, so now I do them by hand with a Japanese saw, like the one you also use in the video, and it turns out a lot better. Great project though. As for cutting slats, you'll want to cut them along the grain instead of across the grain, that way they will not break like it did.
Could you use a sushi roll? The bamboo mat thing? It’s flexible, natural color, and could be easily replaced if needed. Just a thought but I’m always impressed with your ideas and tenacity
After binge watching every diy cat door video on RU-vid I found yours. And I have to say, your door is hands down the best!!! Purrfect simplicity! Well done!
I felt the '65% wanna cry' on a spiritual level. I work with fused glass and when some projects have failed, there's been times when I feel like giving up. Nothing a little cry and a treat can't fix tho
I'm sure someone's suggested it already, but maybe a _noren_ would work well? Since this isn't an outdoor catflap, it doesn't have to protect against rain or curious tanuki, and the cats can easily push through the cut fabric. Plus, painting it with 猫 would be a super-cute design element! You'd have to make sure you could still wash it, though... poor Poki.
What about mini noren curtains? You could even make a few that you rotate through for seasons or so you can wash them as they get dirty~ Thank you for making sure whatever solution you choose is safe for your cats! And I totally get the ratio of cry-to-solve. Literally mood today
Rachel and Jun update! Hooray! The idea behind the cat door for bedroom is really amazing! You did a great job! Hope you will be able to end the project the way you want Thank you for the new video!
if i believe in anyone's DIY determination and capabilities at this point, it's rachel. if not a door, you'll come up with something else that's inventive (AND it'll somehow look like an intentional blueprint design for your home in the process lol). YOU GOT THIS! ^w^ i've wanted to make a door of some kind for my cats too and this has been very inspiring. cheers to the speedy recovery of rachel's leg's circulatory integrity! wishing y'all the best~
Honestly, not having a door for the first while will get them used to using it as an entrance/exit so that when you do find a door solution they'll figure it out so fast.
Have you thought of maybe a curtain instead. Like the kind you see in ramen shops but for the tiny tunnel? I know it's not a door but it still gives the illusion of separation and it can be super pretty fabric
I built something super similar into my bedroom door last year! Had a similar issue with my cats tails getting caught so I ended up putting the hinge on the side (it opens like a regular door) to be able to close and latch it as needed and that worked like a dream!
I love the way Rachel always chose to protect your cats, even when it means to "fail" a project (but I know you will come back with great ideas ! :D) And how Jun is always suporting Racheel and cheering her
I just realized, Rachel and Jun's sponsored segments are the only youtube ads I don't skip through. your vibes are just so immaculate and lovely that I have never even considered doing it once. I'm here to watch the WHOLE video. Rachel and Jun videos are the kind that I can never have on in the background (unless it's a rewatch, of course...) I watch attentively the entire time because they are just so comforting, down to every last detail.
For the rock garden I was thinking maybe use bigger rocks? And someone else mentioned plexiglass on top, which I think could be great in the beginning or to place back on if Nagi pees again. I absolutely know the feeling of working on something for a while and then when it doesnt go right the first time I wanna just cry and give up hahah Im sure you will find something better Rachel!
For the door, you could try weighted fabric. Keep a wood strip for the top bit like you already had as it then afixes easily to the frame as you've already done, but attach a strip of blackout thick fabric to it (honestly a piece of black out curtain could work well) with some form of weight sewed into the bottom (maybe smaller weights in the corners so if they start to get stuck, the middle of the fabric without weights can still fold easily) - cut to the right size with the right weight positioning, it should hang quite nicely like the wood door you made (amazing job by the way), without any risk to your cats.
16:55 My very first experience in Japan, coming from the airport on a train we met some young people who spoke pretty good English and they gave us some of these. I assume they must have just bought them for themselves. Great first experience.
A suggestion: (If you still want that 'rocky' feel under your stairs)- Would decorative wall/contact paper (images of printed-on rocks) fool the cats? Perhaps painting the pebbles directly onto the floor? Or you could cover the rocks with glass?
@@prapika500 Not everyone can afford to live in a castle :/ If it's cheap, but effective... then who cares? I personally covered part of my floor with wood-themed contact paper because purchasing real wood floors would leave me bankrupt. So if something works, but, Oh!- 'Makes you look cheap & broke', then that's their problem! Not mine!
the audio sounds way better on this video! i usually have to turn on the auto captions and turn the volume way up but this one was much easier for me to understand! thank u for looking into that, i hope it makes your lives easier!
Honestly don’t think of the door as a failure. Think of it as a happy accident. I also envy your DIY skills, I tried to set up a floating book shelf and messed up, so a clock hides my derp work. 😅
Like everyone else says, curtains would be perfect. You can sew small weights in the bottom to make it hang better but, with the curtains, you cam change then out seasonally/when you need to wash them for Poki. And itd be cute!
Oh Rachel, I think you look wonderful! I love how you show all sides of doing projects, because we all know how it feels when you think you've got something figured out only to realize you made an error 😂 Love your enthusiasm with all the things you do 🥰
I was just about to leave a concerned comment about the door when you mentioned the safety issue, I'm so glad you noticed it! If you decide to go with a flexible wooden panel, make sure the design allows it to bend both ways, since they're usually more rigid in one direction.
