Scandinavian Style: The Pet Project

At long last, Danish pet product designer and manufacturer The Pet Project has updated their web site and included a list of US retailers, plus more information about the company and their six beautiful, modern pet products. The designs first appeared back in 2005, but the company web site contained minimal information until now.

The line includes two pet caves (the wood veneer Eddie’s Room shown above and the geometric Lulu’s Hideaway pictured below), two beds (one made from acrylic and another from chrome and what looks like felt), a scratching board, and a gorgeous china and wood feeding dish. The line will be making an appearance at the New York International Gift Fair in February.

Plush Bird Toys to Drive Your Cat Wild

These life sized plush bird toys are filled with organic catnip and stuffed to perfection with poly-fill. Each bird is hand stitched from designer wools and cottons. You can even purchase a hand-cast pewter twig stand for storing the birdies just out of reach until it’s time to play. Another great toy from the folks at Itchy Knee.

Raised Double Feeder from Holden Designs

This sculptural double feeder, designed by Jon Wesley Rahman of Holden Designs, combines molded plywood and stainless steel to create a beautiful object that also provides health benefits for your cat. Raised feeders aid digestion by preventing the physical stress that can be caused when pets eat in a bent over position. This is the smaller version of the Holden double feeder, which would be suitable for cats.

The feeder holds two dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowls. The bent plywood base is covered in hardwood veneer with a walnut or cherry finish and water-resistant outer laminate. The feeder and other pet products from Holden Designs are available at designpublic.com.

New Wall Flower Scratcher from Marmalade Pets

Brand new from Marmalade Pets, introducing the Wall Flower cardboard scratcher. This sleek design can be used on the floor, or purchase the wall clips (sold separately) for mounting to a vertical surface. The elegant curves give the Wall Flower a sculptural form while also providing a sturdy scratching surface. Made with recyclable cardboard and non-toxic adhesives, just like the scratcher beds, also from Marmalade Pets, the Wall Flower comes in blue, orange, or green. Available at Muttropolis.

Moderncat Sighting: Dwell Magazine November 2007

This is the first posting under the theme “Moderncat Sightings“ where I seek out appearances by cats in shelter magazines that focus on modern design. This image is from the November 2007 issue of Dwell magazine. It shows a handsome tabby cat enjoying his eco-friendly home designed by architect Steve Kennedy in Sydney, Australia.

DIY Architectural Elements Fit for a Feline

Thanks to Moderncat reader John for sending in photos of a great DIY project that he and his wife tackled. They decided to extend a wall in their bedroom, creating a separate area for a window seat and, at the same time, adding some architectural details designed for their cat Lupe. The idea was to integrate the cat-friendly elements in such a way that they would not be obvious.

The project includes a long shelf above the bed connected to another shelf inside the alcove by three small square windows. These windows allow Lupe to pass through the wall at ceiling height, something every cat would love to do. Both shelves are carpeted for Lupe’s comfort. Three small shelves in the alcove provide steps to reach the upper level. Halogen lights covered with glass shades create a toasty napping spot on the shelf in the alcove.

For more photos of this project, visit John’s Alcove Construction Flickr set. Lupe sure is one lucky cat!

New York Times Article Investigates Feline Design

In the article “Good Design, Happy Cats?” published on October 11, 2007, the New York Times reviews several pieces of modern cat furniture and discusses the merits of good design for cats and their owners. Writer Chris Colin, and his two cats Sam and Bobby, personally tested the Buddha cat shelves by Square Cat Habitat, the Cat Cocoon by One Form Design, Pounce from Everyday Studio, and several other modernist-inspired products. He describes Sam and Bobby’s reactions to the new items, including Sam’s regard for “expensive cardboard as his birthright.” Great article!

Art Glass That a Cat Can Appreciate

The designers at Compressed Pattern–the folks behind the chic Kattbank litter box concealing bench–partnered with glass blowing studio esque to create a line of hand-blown glass cat accessories. These exquisite pieces are part art object and part functional item for cats (and their owners) who have the most discerning taste.

Solo (pictured above) is a hand-blown glass cat house. The form provides a comfortable private space while the transparency allows kitty to see her surroundings. With a sheepskin throw on the bottom, it could quickly become her favorite napping spot.

My personal favorite is Ciambella, a blown glass cat bed lined with sheepskin, resting on a walnut base. Shown above in white, it is also available in opaque light blue. This piece would look amazing in any modern home.

To go with your Kattbank, consider Vaso, a blown glass cat litter storage container with a walnut top. Fresh litter doesn’t have to hide in an ugly plastic bin. Make it a natural decorative element by placing it in this beautiful vessel and displaying it as a design object.

All three pieces can be purchased from the Kattbank online store.

Mid-century Moderncat: Lisa Larson Pottery Cats

Some of my favorite mid-century modern pieces are these collectible pottery cats by Swedish ceramics artist Lisa Larson. From 1950 to 1980 she worked at the Gustavsberg porcelain factory outside Stockholm where she created a line of pottery animals, including several wonderful cat sculptures.

Lisa Larson’s pottery animals are quite collectible, often appearing on eBay and in antique stores. The examples shown here came from the folks at Modcats.

A One-of-a-Kind Bed for Your One-of-a-Kind Cat

We all know that every cat is unique. Doesn’t yours deserve a one-of-a-kind bed? Brooklyn-based designers Katherine and Elaine Kin are behind KEPT Pets, offering a line of handmade pet pillows. Made from fabrics that are printed with a combination of three original screened designs, each pillow is different from the next. For added comfort and durability, these large pillows are stuffed with poly-fill and a foam insert. Visit the KEPT Pets Etsy store and select one to suit your moderncat.

Funky and Functional: Cardboard Scratchers from Everyday Studio

These funky geometric forms provide a great scratching surface for kitty without being an eyesore for you. Everyday Studio added these designer cardboard scratchers to their line of other fabulous modern pet products. Choose from three styles, the inclined Claw, the C-shaped Nap, and the larger sculptural Pounce. Handmade in San Francisco using heavy-duty corrugated cardboard and non-toxic paint on the edges.

Paper Mache Petpod by Andrew Viccari

This simultaneously ancient and futuristic form is the creation of British designer Andrew Viccari. It reminds me of something you might find at Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti. Made from a unique form of hand-pulped paper maché, the petpod provides a cozy dome for kitty to curl-up in. Artistic, functional, and environmentally-friendly–a perfect combination.

Minimalist Cardboard Lounger: The Chiapod from Kittypod

The latest addition to the collection of chic cardboard cat loungers from Kittypod, is the Chiapod. Designed by Patrick Chia for Kittypod, this compact form has a concave top providing a comfortable resting spot for kitty, and a convex underside that creates a subtle rocking movement. Each Chiapod is hand-shaped from a solid block of laminated tri-wall cardboard. The Chiapod is not actually mentioned on the Kittypod website, but it is available from a handful of retailers, including Tag.

Barrels of Fun for Your Moderncat

Included on the list of terrific products from the folks at ItchyKnee are these very attractive wall barrels. Suspend them from the wall to create a climbing station and napping spot. They come in three lengths, the two larger sizes have peepholes for sneaking in and out.

Don’t want to hang them on your wall? The small barrels are also available with a floor stand, or you can stack them together to create a fun climbing tower.

The barrels can be ordered on the ItchyKnee website. While you’re there, check out their plush mouse toys, too.

Mid-century Moderncat: Acrylic Cat Sculptures by Abraham Palatnik

This is the first posting under the theme “Mid-century Moderncat” where I will highlight mid-twentieth century modern art and design featuring cats in some form or another.

To start the series, I’d like to share with you these beautiful acrylic cat sculptures by Brazilian artist Abraham Palatnik. The op art design is embedded inside the acrylic form, making the pattern visible from both sides. These are just two designs from a large collection of animal sculptures that he created using the same technique.

Featuring modern sculptural forms and incredible abstract patterns, these pieces are extremely collectible. They can usually be found on eBay and other auction sites. The two excellent examples shown above both came from ModCats.

Pillow-top Pet Bed from Petbitat

To make sure kitty is as comfortable as she can be, get her one of these plush pillow-top pads from modern pet design firm Petbitat. The thick cushion has a polyfill upper layer over a foam under layer and is covered in durable cotton, polyester, or denim fabric. The pad cover is easy to remove and machine washable, plus there are several designer colors and patterns to choose from. Kitty may prefer this bed instead of your pillow-top mattress.

Retro-Cool Cat ID Tag from George

Give kitty a little retro flair with this hip flower identification tag from George, the same folks who make the kitty grocery pack. You can even have the ID tag engraved with up to four lines of information at no extra charge.

How to Maintain Your Moderncat

The Cat Owner’s Manual and its companion The Cat Owner’s Maintenance Log, make a great gift for any moderncat owner. Both are filled with extremely useful information and the best illustrations ever. Not only are these valuable resources, but they are endlessly entertaining. Published by Quirk Books.

Does Kitty Love Your Fatboy? Get Him One of His Own

No need to share your Fatboy beanbag chair anymore. Kitty can have his very own Catbag from the makers of the original Fatboy. Just perfect for an afternoon nap, the Catbag has a removable outer bag to make cleaning easy. Comes in a variety of hip colors complete with a fishbone graphic.

Add a Smile to Your Workplace with Kam Kam Desk Accessories

The model moderncat, Kam Kam, can now accompany you to the office to brighten-up your day. The mouse pad, paperclip holder, and calculator are just a few of the items in the Pets@Work desk accessory line featuring the mod kitten and her canine companion Don Don. How can you help but smile with these on your desk? The Pets@Work line is designed and manufactured in Hong Kong and is being distributed in the U.S. by DevineProject.