A client's 'discreet' cabinet request had me sweating over ethics

This guy wanted a nightstand with a hidden panel to stash his 'important documents' (his words, not mine). I worried it might be for something sketchy, but he promised it was just spare cash for emergencies. While building it, I accidentally made the panel so obvious that his cat figured out how to open it during the final walkthrough. The cat kept batting at it, and we all stood there watching this furry little thief expose the secret. He laughed and admitted he was just hiding money from his own impulse buys at hardware stores. Now I double-check if 'discreet' means sneaky or just silly. (Honestly, it was a relief to know it was harmless.)

3 comments

3 Comments

sandrac551mo ago

Test hidden panels with pets around. They find every mistake.

jenny3911mo ago

Seriously, a secret panel for hardware store money?

margaret_kelly5524d ago

Pets are basically the best testers for any hiding spot. My cat found a loose floorboard I didn't even know about. If a secret panel can survive a determined dog or a curious cat, then it's probably safe for cash. Maybe that's the real test, not how fancy the lock is.