To create a truly cat-friendly home, it is essential to provide your cat with ways to explore the vertical space. There are all kinds of cat trees and cat shelves that can be added to your home to give kitty a way to get up off the floor using something that is just for her. Take a look at these awesome finds for creating climbing and perching surfaces with style.

Buddha Wall Perch
Functional art for you and your cats!
SquareCatHabitat.com

Designer Pet Products Sebastian Cat Tree
Beautiful Modern Cat Tree
DesignerPetProducts.com

Hollywood Franklin Tower
A modern, modular Cat Tree system for your home
FranklinCatFurniture.com

Wave Perches from Urban Pet Haus
The perfect solution for small spaces
UrbanPetHaus.com

Lotus and Little Lotus Cat Towers
Simple, elegant, modern cat trees from The Refined Feline
TheRefinedFeline.com

Contoure and Cuadro Cat Towers
Free standing cat trees with modern style
WhiskerStudio.com

Silhouette Cat Shelves
Unique, modern cat climbing shelves
TheRefinedFeline.com

Elevation Modular Cat Tree
An ultra-modern cat tower that uses an Ikea pole and brackets
WhiskerStudio.com

The Cat’s Trapeze
Unique suspended cat bed and climber
catstrapeze.us

Designer Pet Products Sophia Cat Tree
Elegant Wall Mounted Cat Trees
DesignerPetProducts.com

Catty Stacks: The eco-friendly, modular cat house
An innovative alternative to traditional cat furniture.
cattystacks.com

Mountain Cat Climbers
Solid wood shelves for cats.
MountainCatTrees.com

Santa Monica Franklin Promenade
A beautiful walkway system that clips onto your existing bookshelves.
FranklinCatFurniture.com

Catemporary Cat Castle
The perfect castle for the design-conscious cat owner who wants to treat their cat like royalty.
TheRefinedFeline.com

Cat Clouds Cat Shelves
Floating cat shelves from The Refined Feline
TheRefinedFeline.com

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Make sure to check out all the other fabulous finds in our Holiday Gift Guide!

Here’s a new line of luxury cat furniture from UK-based company KoogaTree that’s bringing some originality to the cat product market. Company founders Helena and Simon were inspired to create a unique climbing tower for their cat Kooga using a branch of bonfire wood. Since then, they have added several other pieces to the line, all incorporating unique, natural materials. The KoogaTree products are all handcrafted with great attention to detail.

The Vantage Platforms are made from thick pieces of Scottish timber, giving them a natural and elegant look. KoogaTree also offers a line of climbing trees and scratching posts that are unique and attractive.

The newest addition to the KoogaTree catalog is a line of floor scratchers featuring limited edition original art from various artists and designers. The ScARTch line will be revealed over the coming weeks. Each design features a wipe-clean, scratch-resistant piece of limited edition artwork recessed into a solid oak handcrafted base.

Visit koogatree.com for more information and pricing.

And here we have it! The results of our Catification Makeover contest sponsored by The Vertical Cat! Carol’s Ferals, the lucky winner of the contest, is now a kitty dream come true. The main room of their facility has truly been catified!

Thanks to the team at The Vertical Cat, Carol’s Ferals received $1,000 of products plus a private consultation on the design with yours truly, the design team at The Vertical Cat, and none other than Jackson Galaxy, cat behaviorist extraordinaire. We looked at photos and videos of the space and made some suggestions for features that we though would make the cats more comfortable while they wait to be adopted. And from the look of these happy kitties, it seems to be a success!

Shelves, perches, cat stairs, hideaways, and window walks were used to create what Jackson refers to as a “cat superhighway.” What we love about this highway is that there are no dead ends and there are multiple traffic lanes. There are always options for cats to easily move past one another without being trapped in a corner. In a space with this many cats, this is essential for keeping the peace.

All of the pieces were custom painted in Carol’s Feral’s signature orange. These cats have so many options now!

Thanks again to The Vertical Cat for this incredible makeover!

We have an awesome October giveaway for you! It’s the new Catemporary Cat Castle from The Refined Feline! One lucky reader is going to win a large cat castle so their kitties can feel like royalty. This stylish cat tower has multiple levels for climbing and cool contemporary graphics on the outside. Made from heavy-duty cardboard, the large castle measures 24″ x 24″ x 60″ tall.

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

To enter the monthly giveaway, make sure you’re signed-up to receive Moderncat updates via email. If you’re already getting the updates but you’d like an EXTRA chance to win this month, please leave a comment on this post. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on October 31, 2012 and contacted via email. This giveaway includes free shipping to addresses in the US, but international readers are welcome to enter if they are willing to pay shipping and duties.

I’m always looking for a fresh approach to cat furniture design, and this scratching/climbing system from German company Profeline is truly inspirational. The line integrates some very innovative features and uses natural materials for a simple, clean look.

Profeline makes free standing cat trees/scratchers, plus they have a line of wall mounted trees that I think are just brilliant. The sisal wrapped columns come in different lengths that can be combined in any configuration with hammocks, shelves, and hideaways to create a custom tree for your cat. That also means that you can easily replace single segments of the post as they become worn, instead of throwing the whole thing out. That is game changing!

They also make several wall-mounted scratching products that can be configured in endless ways.

In addition to the wall-mounted and free-standing trees, there are some larger cat trees that are anchored between the floor and ceiling with a tension pole. Other designs rest on the floor, but are anchored to the wall at the top. Both very smart solutions for creating a stable cat tree that takes advantage of the full floor-to-ceiling space, without requiring a gigantic base.

There is also a full range of cat walks, all featuring the same simple, clean design, plus several models of wall-mounted perches with beautifully upholstered pads on top.

Sadly, for those of us here in the US, Profeline is only shipping to the EU at the moment, but I’ll be sure to let you know if that changes. In the meantime, visit the Profeline website to do some window shopping.

It’s finally here! The new Catemporary Cat Castle from The Refined Feline! This stylish cat tower has multiple levels for climbing and cool contemporary graphics on the outside. Made from heavy-duty cardboard, the Catemporary Cat Castle comes in two sizes. The smaller version measures  20″ x 20″ x 30″ tall and the large castle is 24″ x 24″ x 60″ tall. The larger tower has metal support pieces inside for added durability.

Now available directly from TheRefinedFeline.com, $69.99 for the large tower and $49.99 for the small.

I thought I’d share one of my own Catification projects with you today. Ever since I moved into my condo and set-up the office, the cabinets over the desk have been off limits. I think at first I thought I was going to display breakable things up there, but I never did and I finally realized that the space makes a perfect cat perch. They just needed a way to get up there.

So, on either side of the cabinets, I added two little steps for the cats to go from the desk to their new perch on top of the cabinets. I used the Wall Attach Steps from Whisker Studio and I absolutely love them! They are perfect little platforms for cats to climb from one place to another. They measure 8.5″ deep by 9.5″ wide and attach to the wall with pelican brackets. The rounded shape is elegant and I like that there are no sharp corners. These shelves do not have carpet on top, but instead have grooves to provide a little traction.

The Whisker Studio Wall Attach Steps are also very affordable. They come in unfinished MDF for just $10 each, unfinished birch ply for $14 each, clear-coated birch ply for $17 each, and espresso stained birch ply for $22 each. Save some money by purchasing the unfinished steps and painting or staining them yourself. The brackets are $10 a pair if you purchase them with the steps, but you can also pick them up at your local home improvement store for a little less (I paid $7.50 a pair at Home Depot).

I added a strip of sisal with a non-slip backing to the top of the shelves. The cats love the texture and I think they are more likely to go up there with the non-slip covering. I buy sisal rug remnants on eBay, which can be easily cut to any size with just a pair of scissors.

As you can see, everyone loves their new perch (of course, Ando is still on the desk). I’d like to encourage all of you to look around your home for existing surfaces that — with just a few minor changes — can be turned into awesome Catification projects. And please be sure to send me your photos!

. . .

The artwork on the wall over the desk is from (l to r): The Dancing Cat, CZM, and Matte Stephens.

This is a completely new approach to cat climbing furniture, and I’m pretty excited about it. It’s the Kitty’scape from Solvit Products. It’s a modular climbing system, kind of like Tinker Toys for cats! It comes with a kit of parts and you put it together any number of ways. That means you can continuously re-configure it to keep kitty interested, and you can order different components and expansion kits to keep building on, as your budget allows.

To start, choose from one of three kits:

• Basic Kit for $79.95, which includes a base platform, 1 oval platform, a penthouse perch, 5 long columns, including 1 seagrass scratching column, 2 short columns, a teaser toy, and multiple connectors. Can reach up to 33” high.
• Intermediate Kit for $119.95, which includes a base platform, 1 oval platform, 1 carpeted half-oval platform, a penthouse perch, 7 long columns, including 2 seagrass scratching columns, 4 short columns, a teaser toy, and multiple connectors. Reaches up to 48” high.
• Deluxe Kit for $145.95, which includes a base platform, 2 oval platforms, 1 carpeted half-oval platform, a penthouse perch, 10 long columns, including 3 seagrass scratching columns, 4 short columns, the penthouse canopy, a hammock hideaway, a teaser toy, and multiple connectors. Can reach up to 71” high.

You can add on to your structure with a number of different accessory packages including an adjustable scratching tray, the penthouse canopy, or the platform and column expansion kit. It looks like Solvit will be adding more accessories to the line soon.

So they sent us a deluxe kit to test and I have to say, I had so much fun putting this thing together! Also, I was pleasantly surprised at the overall look and quality of the structure. The colors are not hideous and the finishes are decent for the price. The support columns are plastic, so it doesn’t have the same look and feel as one of the high-end cat trees like those from Square Cat Habitat or The Refined Feline, but this is in a different price range.

You do have to be careful about how you assemble your structure, because there can be stability issues, so you’ll have to experiment with the right configuration that gives you the levels you want, plus adequate stability. The instructions are easy to follow and assembly is a breeze. The only tool required is a little plastic wrench that comes with the kit. As you can see, everyone loves it. Andy especially loves the seagrass wrapped columns and the hammock hideaway. He got right in there before I was even done assembling the whole thing.

The Solvit Kitty’scape is available from a number of different online retailers including ThePetOnline.com and Amazon.

I’m always on the lookout for attractive pre-made shelving that could be used to create cat climbing walls. Here are a few of my finds that you could easily mix and match to create a wonderfully creative cat climbing wall:

1. Creative Connectors Trio Wall Mount Shelves$35.95
   These shelves measure 15.75″ wide by 22.6″ tall by 6.71″ deep and could be used in combination with the others to create a great vertical walkway.
2. Melannco Espresso Nesting “U” Shelves, Set of 3$20.00
   These little shelves are only 4″ deep, so they might not work with larger cats, but petite cats could use them to navigate a narrow space, like a hallway. You’d have to experiment with your own cats to see if they would use them.
3. Creative Connectors Trio2 Wall Mount Shelves$35.95
   Measuring 31.5″ wide by 14.35″ tall by 6.71″ deep, use these shelves to create a fun stairway for your cats.
4. Creative Connectors Invisible Mount Corner Wooden Shelving $24.60 to $60.73
   This corner shelf comes in four different sizes and mounts with invisible hardware. The largest shelf is perfect for creating a destination point along your cat superhighway.

Some of these shelves may not be big enough for cats to curl up on, but they could be used to create the lanes of your cat climbing wall, linking from one destination point to the next.

PLEASE NOTE: You may have to add extra supports to some of these shelves to make them safe for your cats to climb on. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting the shelves securely. It’s always best to drill into the wall studs whenever possible.

Also, make sure to add a non-slip surfaces to the top. 3M Safety-Walk Gray Indoor/Outdoor Treadis a good option, or you could cut pieces of carpet or sisal and attach to the top of the shelves with Velcro. These Non-Skid Sisal Carpet Stair Treadswould also work really well.

Most importantly, watch your cats to see what they like and make changes to accommodate their preferences. And have fun creating something that both you and your cats will love! If you do create a custom cat climbing wall, please send in your photos, we’d love to see it!

The manufacturer of the Designer Cat Box just expanded their product line to include two amazing new cat climbing pieces that I’m sure are going to be a big hit with Moderncat fans! First, we have the Sebastian Modern Cat Tree, available in a black or white finish. It has six levels for climbing and perching, a sisal mat on the first level, carpet on the second and fourth levels, and a cubby hole on the second level. The glossy, non-toxic, lead-free painted finish is durable enough to withstand kitty’s claws as she climbs and plays.

The new Sebastian cat tree measures 67″ tall and normally sells for $339.95, but it is currently available from designerpetproducts.com or from Amazon for just $268.95.

The other new additions are the Sophia Wall-mounted Cat Climbing Shelves. The shelves are sold in a set of two, one with an opening for your cat to climb through and the other with an enclosed space that can be used for decorative items. Both shelves have carpet pads to prevent kitty from sliding off. The shelves attach to the wall with brackets and can hold cats up to 25 lbs. safely.

The Sophia shelves are available in the same black and white finishes to match the Sebastian cat tree. A pair of Sophia shelves normally sells for $149.95, but they are currently available for $115.95 from designerpetproducts.com and they are also on sale at Amazon.

Moderncat reader Brigitte sent in these photos of her cats Cane and Phoebe enjoying the Silhouette Cat shelves she purchased from The Refined Feline. I love how life imitates art in the second photo above!

Do you have photos of your cats enjoying products that you found on Moderncat.net? Please send them to me at kate [at] moderncat [dot] net.

Hopefully you caught the season three premiere of Jackson Galaxy’s show My Cat From Hell last Saturday on Animal Planet. If you missed it, you can watch the whole episode on the Animal Planet website. Yes, that was me, appearing ever so briefly, in the second segment with Olive and Pepper!

I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes peek at what we did to “Catify” Mike and Emilie’s house to help with the issues between Olive and Pepper. This was a particularly tricky environmental design challenge, since Olive, Pepper, Mike and Emilie all live in a small New York City apartment. The apartment landscape includes a couple of deadly areas where Olive was cornering poor Pepper and viciously attacking her. Pepper had nowhere to go and she had completely lost her self confidence. Jackson brought me in to assess the situation and see what we could do to fix it. Here’s what we came up with.

The Kitchen

First, we tackled the kitchen. As you saw on the show, this is where Olive and Pepper had an ugly standoff in front of the camera. We watched as Olive hunkered down and stalked Pepper, who cowered in the corner of the small kitchen with nowhere to go. Once she wedged herself in behind the rolled up carpet in the corner, she was trapped.

Jackson wanted to create what he calls a “revolving door.” Instead of getting trapped, Pepper needed to be able to move up and out of harm’s way. Mike and Emily had already given up the corner to the carpet, so I asked if we could replace it with something that Pepper could actually climb. They agreed, but since Mike and Emilie rent their apartment, they wanted to avoid drilling into the walls, so wall-mounted shelves were out. I’ve always loved the freestanding pole systems and thought this was the perfect place for one, but all the existing shelf designs were too big for such a tiny space. I contacted the folks at Whisker Studio and they made a special set of shelves to fit the space perfectly. There’s even room for the refrigerator door to open!

Now, if Pepper is chased into the kitchen, she has a couple of options. First, she can go up the tree and across the top of a tall, shallow bookshelf we added, then onto the counter and out into the living room. A clean escape! We cleared everything off the counter and added sisal mats with non-slip backing to the top of the bookshelf and the counter, giving Pepper a stable place to land. I like to encourage cat guardians to find existing surfaces that can be designated as “cat only” areas. You don’t always have to add something new, look around at what you already have. And in the photos above, you can see that Pepper is taking advantage of her newly designated areas.

To create an alternate escape route in the kitchen, we added another sisal mat to the top of the refrigerator, which is an easy jump from the upper shelves on the tree. Pepper can now escape to a cozy bed on top of the kitchen cabinets, or she can jump down onto the counter (landing on another sisal mat), and head out the other way.

Emilie and I worked all day assembling and installing the components for the new cat environment, while Olive supervised.

Olive likes to take breaks to play with toys and packing materials!

The Hallway

The second challenge was in the hallway, where there was another dead end. This configuration encouraged Olive to stalk and corner Pepper, so we needed another revolving door here. Ever since they moved in, Mike and Emilie had wanted to do something in this space just for the cats, but again they had the issue of drilling into the walls. We saw the potential here for a wonderful vertical environment where Pepper could climb and hang out. Since Mike and Emily had identified that Pepper is a climber, but Olive is not, this was the perfect way to give Pepper a place of her own, while diffusing a potentially threatening situation.

In came two more cat trees from Whisker Studio, this time using their standard step component, paired with two custom cross pieces that allow pepper to traverse the space from one tree to the other.

To complete the revolving door in the hallway, we added a small table across the hall with another sisal mat on top. On the show, there is a great shot of Pepper jumping from the tree to the top of the table, which allows her to head back down the hall, instead of being trapped in the alcove.

Jackson wanted the shelves to be soft and comfy, in case Pepper decided to take a nap in the tree, so I designed some custom cushions for the standard Whisker Studio steps.

As we saw on the show, it seems that our environmental enhancement — along with Jackson’s other behavior suggestions — is really making a difference for Mike, Emilie, Olive and Pepper. Now Mike and Emilie can go on their honeymoon and not worry about the cats!

. . .

The new “Pepper Tree” will be available soon from Whisker Studio! It’s perfect for small spaces!

Modern Cat Designs just released a new limited edition tall cat condo in a gorgeous blue fabric. The tall cat condo was previously available in beige and chocolate. The blue is a lovely addition.

This is one of my favorite modern cat towers on the market. The look is so unique and the fabric used on the pads is virtually indestructible. I have one of these in chocolate and there is almost always someone curled up in either the upper or the lower tube. I also think the way this condo assembles is one of the most ingenious things ever.

The tall cat condo regularly sells for $249.95, but it’s on sale right now at moderncatdesigns.com for just $197.

I love these simple cat climbing shelves posted over at Saucy Dwellings. They used Ikea Lack shelves with a custom made shelf that wraps around the corner and leads to a window shelf over the front door. Brilliant!

Did you ever think you’d see the day when cat trees would be marketed in a similar fashion to luxury cars? Well, that time has come. Behold this new line of luxury cat trees from Austrian company Ruben & Partner. Theses cat trees are definitely in a class by themselves!

Stunning photos and a polished promo video showcase these cat trees in a way I’ve never seen before. And look at those models!

The Ruben cat trees are available in a variety of sizes and two different colorways, dark and light. The trees appear to be made with the finest craftsmanship using natural wood, sisal rope, and luxurious faux fur hammocks and perches. An interesting combination of nature and glamour.

Check out all the exquisite details and pricing at rubencats.com.

There’s a new player in the high-end luxury cat furniture world and they have quite a lineup of beautiful items. Introducing Five Pet Place. More traditional than modern, these designs are made with fancy crown molding and high-quality craftsmanship to create the look and feel of fine furniture.

The founder of Five Pet Place, Michael Ostrofsky, was inspired to design the product line for his five cats. All products are made in the USA, because Five Pet Place refuses to support countries where cats and dogs are thought of as food.

The product line includes a 32.5″ sisal wrapped scratching post that can be easily refilled when worn, and an elegant raised scratch pad, also with replaceable sisal rope.

Litter items include a covered litter cabinet and a stylish open litter tray.

For the kitchen, they offer a 2-bowl or 3-bowl food & water server with raised ceramic dishes.

And finally, a deluxe window bed can be placed under kitty’s favorite lookout to give her a soft spot to rest. It even has an optional electric heater.

All of the Five Pet Place products can be ordered in walnut, white or honey finishes and many have options for designer accents including quartz inlays or painted panels. You can also purchase an engraved nameplate for each piece. Visit their design studio to create your own custom design.

Read all about Five Pet Place and their new products at fivepetplace.com.

You can still pre-order the Wave perches from Urban Pet Haus and take advantage of this special discount! The new shipment will arrive the week of June 25, and if you pre-order before Wed, May 30, 2012 you’ll pay just $110 for the large and $75 for the small. Regular prices will be $164.99 for the large and $114.99 for the small. Don’t miss this great deal! Email marty@urbanpethaus.com to pre-order yours today!

This gorgeous piece of design wasn’t created with cats in mind, but the moment I saw it, I pictured it as the perfect modern cat climbing tower. It’s the Juliette Wall Shelf by French designer Jean-Marc Gady. The staircase design is made from lacquered bent steel and measures 30cm wide by 109cm deep by 150cm tall, or about 12″ x 43″ x 60″. Add some carpet tiles on top of each step, and voilà! Kitty heaven!

Available in red-orange, blue, yellow, white and black, the Juliette Wall Shelf is sold through HartoDesign for 239€, or about $316 US.

via Design-Milk

Here’s a great new cat tower from Whisker Studio! It’s the Cuadro cat tower, standing 4 feet tall, a great height for kitty to get up off the floor, but it’s not so big that it overpowers the room. Simple circle cutouts give it a modern look and four carpeted platforms make it easy for kitty to climb. The footprint is 23″ x 19″ so it could fit easily in any corner.

Cuadro is made from cabinet grade birch plywood and is available with a walnut stain for $299 US or in unfinished birch so you can stain or paint it yourself for $199 US.

Looking to bring a little nature into your modern home? Check out this new line of cat scratchers from Dutch company Royal Woods. These beautiful simplistic cat trees are made with liana wood, a unique natural material that gives them a stunning appearance.

There are currently three sizes of cat scratchers, each with a sturdy base and one or two climbing platforms that are covered in woven coconut. The company also takes custom orders. Prices range from €299 to €499, or about $400 to $650 US.

As you can see above, Ando is quite excited to let you know that the Urban Pet Haus Wave perches will be back in stock very soon! A new shipment is coming from the factory and will be ready to ship the week of June 25. The Wave perches will sell for $164.99 for the large and $114.99 for the small, but if you pre-order now you’ll pay just $110 for the large and $75 for the small. That’s a huge savings!

The Wave perches are truly some of my most favorite modern cat items around. They are sturdy and beautiful and the cats are always on them.

To pre-order, please email marty@urbanpethaus.com and he will take care of you.

Moderncat reader Ashii from Minnesota was looking for a very specific piece of cat furniture to accommodate the needs of her family. Ashii and her partner Ippocratis recently adopted a Siamese kitten named Sasha to keep their little dog Remy company. The two get along beautifully, however, they needed separate places for mealtime, because there was too much sharing going on.

Ashii wanted just the right piece of cat furniture, and it had to have modern style to fit with their decor. Here are her design criteria:

1. A stand which was high enough to place food out of reach from our extremely cat-like, tenacious, food monger dog.
2. ‘Cats only’ area where Sasha can get an aerial view, soak up some sun, or take a cat nap without interruption.
3. Modern design, so our apartment wouldn’t look like you took a wrong turn into animal alley.

After lots of searching, Ashii couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for so she took matters into her own hands. She designed this very unique and modern cat stand and found a local craftsman to build it for her. The stand is made of poplar wood stained espresso with brushed stainless steel bars. The pad on top is covered with sisal weave fabric and is attached with 3M Command Strips so it can be easily changed with the seasons or when it becomes worn.

The stand measures just over 4 feet tall, 13 inches deep, and 2 feet long. The total cost was $300, not bad for a custom design. It meets the family’s needs perfectly and Sasha (who might be the cutest thing ever!) absolutely loves it.

Thank you so much to Ashii for sharing this wonderful project!

Modern cat products are springing up all around the world. The latest offering is from a new company called KittiCraft, located in South Africa. KittiCraft launched with an impressive line of perches, beds, and scratchers all made using CNC laser cut cardboard and MDF. To reduce shipping costs, most items ship flat-packed and are assembled by the customer with no tools or glue required. There are some interesting variations on existing cat products as well as some brilliant new concepts.

First, check out the Universal KittiMount System, two different wall-mounted perches both featuring a replaceable cardboard scratching surface. The perches are being modeled here by KittiCraft’s two Abby mascots, Moon and Kiara.

There are also several very cool looking cat beds, some with hideaways inside and others with perches on top. The beds come with heavy-duty cotton cushions that attach to the frame.

Two styles of cat hammocks each come with a reversible cotton sling that looks quite cozy.

What intrigues me the most are the hanging cat beds. Like beautiful suspended nests, these beds can hang from the ceiling or on a free-standing frame.

KittiCraft is also making some very attractive cardboard scratching posts. These posts are assembled using a similar method as the original Moderncat Studio Scratch Tower, however KittiCraft has developed some nice design variations.

In addition to the scratching posts, there is a whole line of cardboard scratch furniture. Choose from several sleek shapes that look like modern sculptures. Made with double wall corrugated cardboard and non-toxic glue.

Finally, the KittiCraft scratch pads provide a nice wide, flat scratching surface that can go anywhere.

All prices on the KittiCraft website are listed in South African Rand, but you can easily find out the prices in USD by using the currency converter on their site. Prices range from about $50 US for the scratch pads to $400 for the larger beds. It looks like they are only shipping within South Africa at this time, but I will be sure to let you know if these products become available worldwide.

Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy recently moved into a new bungalow outside Los Angeles and he asked me to help “catify” the place with a little Moderncat style. He lives with his three cats, Velouria, Chips, and Caroline, and his little dog, Rudy. Jackson spends his days working with clients, helping them to see the world from a cat’s perspective, so this was his chance to put into practice some of his own advice for his feline family.

The top priority was to create a “cat superhighway” throughout the house. On any good superhighway, you have ample lanes to accommodate the flow of traffic, as well as on and off ramps. In a multi-cat household, sharing a lane of traffic can cause conflict. Cats shouldn’t have to compete for space on a one lane dirt road.

Jackson’s superhighway includes multi-levels: the floor, the ottoman, the bookshelf, and two levels of cat shelves. His cats have all kinds of options for traversing the space without facing a potential traffic jam.

In the living room, there are three perfect cat windows with big beautiful trees right outside, so we placed shelves from Ikea right under each window. Nothing fancy, but the cats love it! To keep the cats from slipping on the shelves, we placed sisal carpet remnants with rubber backing on top of each shelf. A simple solution that’s easy to keep clean and looks great.

To add a little designer touch to the highway, we used a Wave perch from Urban Pet Haus in the center of the wall between two windows. But by watching how the cats used the shelves, we noticed that the cats couldn’t quite get from the Wave to the middle window shelf or over to the bookshelf, so we added a couple of Itch Steps from Square Cat Habitat. These are perfect when you need just a little ledge for kitty to cross from one place to another, plus they have replaceable carpet tiles on top to prevent slipping. Now there’s a clear path along the entire wall that is used quite frequently.

We continued the highway in the bedroom with more shelves from Ikea leading from a low table up to the top of the dresser. Strategically placed cat beds and scratch lounges make for nice destinations along the highway for happy cats to stop for a nap.

In the office nook, again by watching the cats’ behavior, we found that the cats were using the desk surface as part of the highway, moving from the middle window shelf to the shelf above the desk by jumping on and off the desk. Instead of discouraging this, we accommodated the cats by placing sisal pieces with no-slip backing on the corners of the slippery desk surface. This is a great example of modifying an existing surface to accommodate the cats behavior.

As any of you who have both dogs and cats know, sometimes it’s necessary to separate them at feeding time (greedy dogs!) In order to address this issue, Jackson decided to use the top of the low bookshelf in the living room for the cat’s feeding station. To make it easier for the older kitties to reach the raised surface, we added a set of modern pet stairs from Urban Pet Haus. Now the cats can easily access their food while Rudy dines on the lower level.

Of course we had to showcase Jackson’s guitar collection, along with other personal touches. Overall, everyone is quite pleased with their new digs!

Someone pick me up off the floor, I’m completely blown away by these exquisite new cat trees from German design firm Wohnblock! Now this is Moderncat design! From what I can surmise via Google Translate, Wohnblock was created by designer Oliver Kriege with the intention of synthesizing function and aesthetics to make both cats and their guardians happy. I think he’s achieved his goal because these gorgeous cat trees make me very happy and the beautiful kitties seem to be enjoying them, too.

Of course these beautiful and functional objects come with a hefty price tag (in the $2000+ price range), but we can all dream about owning one. Each piece is handcrafted in the Wohnblock studio in Essen, Germany.

There are two styles of cat tree currently available, the Retro and the Reading Cat. Both have replaceable carpet pads that come in a variety of colors to match your decor. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing when else this company does in the future.