Seed-starting shelves

Materials: OMAR shelving unit (I used 36 1/4" high, but you could use the taller one), 2 standard "shop fixtures" (48" long), 4 40-watt T-12 fluorescent light bulbs, 1 timer for the lights, 4 small metal S-hooks (or substitute), 1 two-plugs-to-one converter, 1 extension cord, several large pieces of cardboard (can be from OMAR box), 2 25-foot boxes aluminum foil, clear tape, masking tape, heavy plastic carpet protector (from an office supply store)

Description: I wanted to start seeds in my apartment for transplanting into my garden but I don't have an extra closet to dedicate to seed starting. I purchased the 36 1/4-inch (92 cm) high OMAR shelving unit and set it up against a wall in my bedroom. Why the OMAR? Because the shelves are wire, the height of the light fixtures can easily be adjusted as they are hooked onto the OMAR with S-hooks. Ideally, the grow lights are an inch or two away from the seedlings. I can unhook the chain, place the hook in another link, and rehang the light. I also like the OMAR's nonflammable metal construction, and its ventilation.

Click to read more>>

Kitty Food and Bar

Materials: OMAR shelves, wine rack, basket

Description: We need a raised feeding station for our younger cat's food to be separated from the older cat's food. With little extra space in the kitchen, I thought that it would be nice to have the furniture serve more than one purpose. That's when I got the idea to stack the OMAR wine shelves over a set of plain shelves.

Measuring younger the cat, and the maximum known height of the older cat's jump, we placed the 2nd shelf out of older cat's reach, and 3rd shelf just high enough that the younger cat could fit in between. I used twist ties to secure the basket to the self, so the can't can't easily knock over his food dishes. I was happy to find that my existing dishes fit perfectly in the basket. Placed a mat over the wire shelf for kitty's comfort. I decided to use shelf #3 for liquor bottles, so I stacked the wine racks after the maximum liquor bottle height was reached. Wine racks were stacked as closely together as possible for an average diameter wine bottle. I ended up with one spare wine shelf that I couldn't fit on, but it still increased my storage space over my old 12-slot rack. Anchored to the wall at rack #3 and at the top.

~ Chris Wass