The Disappearing Wood Box

Ever noticed how even though you think you've got things planned out to the nth degree, when reality sets in it doesn't always follow the plan?

In remodeling the kitchen, I first thought I wanted a floor to ceiling storage unit put in this area. That would have meant taking out the double window which looks out onto our enclosed small back porch but you can see through the porch to the outside.

We put heavy brown paper over the window and lived with that for a few days. It took a very short time for us to become aware that we wanted that window view into the area in back of our house.

So the window stayed and I designed a lower storage cabinet.

I knew I wanted part of the unit to be used for wood storage. And I had not planned on putting a door on that section. We lived with the wood box door-less for a while. Then I got nervous.

As anyone who heats with wood knows, safety is a matter of great concern. The vent for our wood stove is on the front of the stove. The front of the stove faces the wood box . . . at a bit of an angle, but still facing that way.

Most of the time, that vent is closed nearly all the way. But when getting a fire started, the vent can be open to show as much as a 2" x 1" gap. We have, very infrequently in the past, seen wood snap, pop and shoot a spark of glowing ember out through that hole. I had visions of the possibility (highly unlikely) of one of those sparks being propelled farther than probably possible and landing in the wood box and smoldering there.

"Um, honey? I'd like to put a door on the wood box."

Okay, I'm much happier now. I didn't mind the open door and looking at the wood. Matter of fact, it was handier when loading the wood into the stove and I liked the interesting way it broke up the face of the cabinet. However, having the door covering the stack of wood just makes the whole operation that much safer.

Here's a shot of all the doors of the cabinet standing open. I don't want to store any food stuffs in that cabinet because it stays warmish when the wood stove is perking away, and since the stove is our main source of heat all winter long, I store baking dishes, pans and appliances that aren't affected by the heat in the cabinet.

I guess that's why I marvel that people will have an architect design a house for them. Has the architect lived in the house? Actually lived and worked within the plans? Even when designing something to your own specifications after giving it tons of thought, you don't always get it right. The first time.