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.

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.

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.

This is the first posting under the theme “Moderncat Sightings“ where I seek out appearances by cats in shelter publications 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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.