Cat Street Collectivehttps://catstreetcollective.comA blog covering architecture, construction, interior design and sustainability. Written by people who work in and around the built environment.enMid-Century Modern House Features and How to Spot Onehttps://catstreetcollective.com/mid-century-modern-househttps://catstreetcollective.com/mid-century-modern-houseFri, 13 Nov 2026 00:33:56 +0000ArchitectureNot every postwar home is a mid-century modern house. Learn the key design features, regional styles and original details, plus renovation mistakes to avoid.Cool Roof Coating and Whether It Lowers Summer Billshttps://catstreetcollective.com/cool-roof-coatinghttps://catstreetcollective.com/cool-roof-coatingThu, 12 Nov 2026 09:32:56 +0000SustainabilityA cool roof coating can cut cooling costs on flat roofs in hot climates. See coating types, costs per square metre, how to apply it and when to skip it.Basement Finishing and What to Plan Before You Framehttps://catstreetcollective.com/basement-finishinghttps://catstreetcollective.com/basement-finishingThu, 12 Nov 2026 00:21:56 +0000ProjectsBasement finishing goes wrong when moisture, ceiling height and permits come last. Here is the planning order, the wall assembly to use and realistic costs.Rug Size Guide and How to Choose One for Each Roomhttps://catstreetcollective.com/rug-size-guidehttps://catstreetcollective.com/rug-size-guideWed, 11 Nov 2026 13:10:56 +0000Interior DesignOur rug size guide gives the exact measurements for living rooms, dining tables, bedrooms and halls, plus a tape test that stops costly returns.Deck Footings and How Deep and Wide to Dig Themhttps://catstreetcollective.com/deck-footingshttps://catstreetcollective.com/deck-footingsTue, 10 Nov 2026 17:26:56 +0000ConstructionDeck footings fail when they sit above the frost line or on loose fill. Learn how deep and wide to dig, which footing type to use and what inspectors check.How to Build a Little Free Library on Your Streethttps://catstreetcollective.com/build-a-little-free-libraryhttps://catstreetcollective.com/build-a-little-free-libraryTue, 10 Nov 2026 12:38:56 +0000CommunityA little free library can bring a street together for years if it is built to last. Learn permissions, materials, a weatherproof design and how to stock it.Craftsman Bungalow Features and How to Spot an Originalhttps://catstreetcollective.com/craftsman-bungalowhttps://catstreetcollective.com/craftsman-bungalowTue, 10 Nov 2026 02:50:56 +0000ArchitectureNot every porch house is a craftsman bungalow. Learn the defining features, how to tell a 1915 original from a modern copy, and what to check before buying.Solar Panels on an Old Roof and What to Check Firsthttps://catstreetcollective.com/solar-panels-old-roofhttps://catstreetcollective.com/solar-panels-old-roofMon, 09 Nov 2026 10:46:56 +0000SustainabilityPutting solar panels on an old roof can mean paying thousands to remove them later. How to judge roof age and condition before you sign a solar contract.Shipping Container Home Projects and What They Really Costhttps://catstreetcollective.com/shipping-container-homehttps://catstreetcollective.com/shipping-container-homeSun, 08 Nov 2026 23:15:56 +0000ProjectsPlanning a shipping container home? See real container prices, the costs that hide in foundations and insulation, and when timber framing works out cheaper.Small Living Room Layout and How to Arrange Your Furniturehttps://catstreetcollective.com/small-living-room-layouthttps://catstreetcollective.com/small-living-room-layoutSun, 08 Nov 2026 07:47:56 +0000Interior DesignPlan a small living room layout that actually works, with walkway widths, sofa distances, rug sizes and five furniture arrangements that suit compact rooms.Retaining Wall Drainage and Why Most Walls Fail Earlyhttps://catstreetcollective.com/retaining-wall-drainagehttps://catstreetcollective.com/retaining-wall-drainageSun, 08 Nov 2026 00:01:56 +0000ConstructionRetaining wall drainage decides whether a wall lasts or leans. Learn the gravel, pipe and fabric setup, typical costs, and the mistakes that trap water.How to Request a Speed Hump on Your Residential Streethttps://catstreetcollective.com/request-a-speed-humphttps://catstreetcollective.com/request-a-speed-humpSat, 07 Nov 2026 06:06:56 +0000CommunityWant to request a speed hump on your street? Learn what the city traffic study measures, how petitions work, typical costs, and why one hump is often too few.Brutalist Architecture and Why Some Cities Fight to Save Ithttps://catstreetcollective.com/brutalist-architecturehttps://catstreetcollective.com/brutalist-architectureFri, 06 Nov 2026 18:32:56 +0000ArchitectureBrutalist architecture divides opinion like no other style. Learn where it came from, how to spot it and why saving these concrete buildings beats demolition.Greywater Recycling at Home and Which System Makes Sensehttps://catstreetcollective.com/greywater-recyclinghttps://catstreetcollective.com/greywater-recyclingFri, 06 Nov 2026 07:47:56 +0000SustainabilityGreywater recycling can cut mains water use, but only with the right system. Compare diversion, short retention and treated setups with real costs here.Loft Conversion Planning and What to Check Before You Buildhttps://catstreetcollective.com/loft-conversion-planninghttps://catstreetcollective.com/loft-conversion-planningThu, 05 Nov 2026 23:39:56 +0000ProjectsLoft conversion planning starts with head height and stairs. See the checks to run, typical costs by type and the rules that decide what you can build.Paint Finish Guide for Every Room in Your Homehttps://catstreetcollective.com/paint-finish-guidehttps://catstreetcollective.com/paint-finish-guideThu, 05 Nov 2026 07:55:56 +0000Interior DesignMatt, eggshell, satin or gloss? This paint finish guide explains which sheen suits each room, why gloss is not always tougher and how to test first.Concrete Curing Time and When You Can Walk on a New Slabhttps://catstreetcollective.com/concrete-curing-timehttps://catstreetcollective.com/concrete-curing-timeThu, 05 Nov 2026 02:45:56 +0000ConstructionConcrete curing time day by day: when you can walk on a new slab, park a car on it or start building, plus how weather and covers change the numbers.How to Start a Community Garden on an Empty Lothttps://catstreetcollective.com/start-a-community-gardenhttps://catstreetcollective.com/start-a-community-gardenWed, 04 Nov 2026 12:49:56 +0000CommunityHow to start a community garden on vacant land, from finding the owner and testing soil to bed sizes, water and why waiting for a grant can sink it.Passive House Standard and What It Asks of a Homehttps://catstreetcollective.com/passive-house-standardhttps://catstreetcollective.com/passive-house-standardWed, 04 Nov 2026 00:09:56 +0000ArchitectureThe passive house standard sets hard limits on heating, airtightness and overheating. What the numbers mean, what it costs and where common advice goes wrong.Rainwater Harvesting at Home and How to Size the Tankhttps://catstreetcollective.com/rainwater-harvesting-tank-sizehttps://catstreetcollective.com/rainwater-harvesting-tank-sizeTue, 03 Nov 2026 09:55:56 +0000SustainabilityRainwater harvesting only pays off when the tank fits your roof and real demand. A simple sizing method with worked numbers, parts and honest payback.