I’ve been fascinated with the Ponoko design service since they launched in 2007, but until now, I hadn’t found anyone using it for cat-related items. If you’re not familiar with Ponoko, it is an online service that allows designers to upload files for furniture, jewelry, gadgets, etc., then anyone can download the designs (some are free, others have a licensing fee), choose your own materials, pay, and Ponoko manufactures the item and ships it to you. Everything is custom made, so there’s no warehousing, plus the Ponoko system uses local manufacturing facilities to reduce shipping. It’s a pretty great way to get something that’s totally custom at a reasonable price. You can read more about how the process works on the Ponoko website.

Enter Catter Wallin’. This Illinois-based company has created two designs for unique cat climbing shelves, the Kitty Climber and the Kitty Cozy. Both designs are available for download for just $1.00 each from Ponoko, then you can choose from a variety of materials to have the shelves made just for you. Options include bamboo, MDF, baltic birch plywood, etc. You may want to contact Catter Wallin’ to find out more about the materials they recommend, but it looks like all the options are quite affordable. I look forward to seeing more cat items on Ponoko soon!

Mountain Cat Trees just released a new line of cat climbing shelves that are absolutely perfect for creating what cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy calls a “highway” for your cats. Jackson emphasizes the need to create multiple lanes of traffic in your home to give cats a way to traverse the space. Most cats like to be up high where they can survey their surroundings. These new shelves are the perfect way to create that extra lane of traffic to keep kitty happy.

Like all the products from Mountain Cat Trees, the new Cat Climbers have a natural look that would work well in most homes. The shelves are made of solid natural cypress wood and trimmed with manila rope. They are available in three sizes: 18″, 24″ and an 18″ x 18″ corner unit. Prices range from $59.99 to $109.99 with packages available that offer excellent savings.

Check out this video to see the new Mountain Cat Trees Cat Climbers in action (if you can’t see the video below in your email, click here to watch it on the site.)

Why can’t a cat tree look like a tree? Or a cat, for that matter? Whisker Studio has a new line of cat trees that flirts with this idea. Each design brings a new twist to the traditional cat tree, one in the form of a stylized cat silhouette and the other an abstract tree. Each has three carpeted shelves for kitty’s perching pleasure. The new cat trees measure 48″ tall and are made of high quality birch plywood. $199 at whiskerstudio.com.

OK, now I’m just torturing everyone with these amazing cat products from Catswall Design, since they are not yet available outside Taiwan! This is their Curvynest cat tree and it might be my new favorite thing. The elegant continuous line creates multiple perching levels for kitty and a beautiful sculpture for your living room. The woven bamboo covering is perfect for scratching, but I hope it’s replaceable.

The structure is apparently slightly flexible and can hold several cats at once. I am incredibly impressed with the designs from this company and I hope they can find a US importer SOON! I must have one of these!

The folks at Catswall Design were very grateful for your comments when I first posted their magnificent modular cat climbing wall and they took many of your suggestions to heart, integrating them into the latest design. They just released the new system and it has some excellent features. The new catboxes have a door in front that is held closed with powerful magnets. All edges are rounded and there is a replaceable a rattan mat on the top. They still have all the cute cutouts, but they are working on creating more basic geometric shapes for different markets.

The system is easy to install. Simply attach the aluminum hanger plates to the wall, then you can purchase colored strips to place over the aluminum to customize the design. The grid can be adjusted to fit any size wall.

Once the grid is in place, hang the boxes and other attachments on the wall in any configuration you like. They have several new pieces including shelves and stairs, which would make it easier for kittens and older cats to access the wall elements.

The Catswall is still selling in Taiwan only, but the company hopes to have international distribution in place next year. Catswall Design has an English website now at catswall.com and you can stay up-to-date on their Facebook page. Complete product specs for readers in Taiwan can be found on the Catswall Design blog.

Italian and French architect Marina Sciarrino is the designer of Petsmood, a new line of ultra-modern European pet furniture. These pieces are much more like architecture than pet beds and they demonstrate how beautifully cat furniture can integrate into a modern home.

There are several cat-specific designs in the collection: Saltato, a multi-level perch with elegant wood grain laminate options;  Intellato, a sleek climbing tower; and Librato, a room divider that is perfect for kitties. I can’t think of a more elegant way to divide a space.

Other designs in the collection include several modern pet beds that integrate human seating or a surface that can be used as a side table. Prices range from 1300 € to 2500 € and it looks like these items are only available in Europe at the moment, but we can all daydream about owning them someday.

via Dog-Milk

Here’s a new line of handcrafted cat furniture from The Vertical Cat. Designed by Kathie Huddleston and built by her craftsman brother Terry Huddleston, these pieces use simple materials and have nice clean lines. The collection includes two cat trees, the Madison Cat Tree and the Alexa Cat Tree, which is designed to fit in a corner. Both have replaceable carpet inserts and come in 3′, 4′ or 5′ variations with clear or dark stain. This is the 4′ Alexa pictured above.

To help kitty get more vertical, they also have some cat shelves and a set of wall-mounted cat stairs. These kitties look like they are really enjoying the products, and you will too when you see the prices. Very affordable! Check out theverticalcat.com for more info and please leave a comment here telling us what you think.

Hollywood Franklin has a new addition to their ultra mod Hollywood Franklin Tower. They’ve added a medium size platform measuring 1′ 6″ x 1′ 3″. This size is right between the small stair riser and the original large platform. Now you can create an intermediate perching spot for kitty on this super sleek climbing tower.

Get 15% off!

All Hollywood Franklin cat furniture products are 15% off now through October 31, 2011!

Here’s a beautiful new wall-mounted cat climbing and perching creation from Griffith Designs. It’s the HabiCat, a handcrafted hexagonal shelf that looks more like a piece of modern sculpture than a cat climber. There are four solid side panels and two open, which can be oriented in a number of different ways. Download the instruction manual to see how easy it is to mount the HabiCat to the wall and check out all the different configuration options. You can create an inner lounging area and a top perching spot, both covered with thick felt pads for extra comfort.

The HabiCat is all handmade in the US and is available in maple, natural, or unfinished. It can be purchased from the HabiCat website for $250 plus shipping.

We have a very fun prize for our October monthly giveaway! It’s the Whisker Studio Contoure Climber DIY Kit! This is the unfinished birch version of the Contoure Climber so you can finish it off any way you like. Stain it, paint it, stencil it — whatever floats your boat! Here are some examples of customized climbers:

If you’re not so much of a DIY person, the winner of this month’s giveaway will have the option of upgrading to one of the finished models of the Contoure Climber if they would like to pay the difference. Also, due to shipping costs, this giveaway only includes free shipping to addresses in the continental US, but other readers are welcome to enter if they would like to pay the extra shipping.

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, 2011 and contacted via email.

The Cat’s Trapeze is now available in the US in two new fabrics — a rich chocolate brown and a crisp snow white. Both are high quality heavy cotton fabrics that are machine washable. The white is available in both the two- and three-pillow versions and the chocolate is currently only available in the three-pillow.

The natural unbleached cotton is also still available in both versions. Visit catstrapeze.us for pricing and ordering info.

Just in time for fall, Hollywood Franklin has added some gorgeous new color options to their product line. The Mulholland Franklin Hideaway now comes in a deep brick red or a neutral sand colored fabric.

There’s also a new flannel gray carpet tile option available for both the Hollywood Franklin Tower and the Santa Monica Franklin Promenade.

This handsome fellow is Olaf and he is one of three product testers at Brat Cat Designs. Olaf and his siblings are very lucky to have a creative and talented person who makes these sleek mod cat beds for them, and apparently, they won’t use any other bed anymore.

Brat Cat started by making a wall-mounted hammock bed for the crew, pictured above. The hammock is made of galvanized steel tubing with a mesh-backed vinyl sleep surface that’s laced in place. Simple and elegant, and apparently quite comfy, too.

The cats liked their wall-mounted hammocks so much, a freestanding model was then developed so they could lounge in comfort in any spot. This version has rubber-dipped legs to prevent slipping and the same suspended sleeping surface.

As you can see, Olaf appreciates this sweet bed, whether on the floor or on the wall, and he prefers it with his favorite mat on top. Both hammock beds measure 15″ by 20″ and are available in the Brat Cat Designs Etsy shop.

You may recognize this sleek cat tower as the previously released Sky Climber. The manufacturer, Whisker Studio, has made a few changes and just re-released it as the Contour Cat Tower. The new design is a bit more open, enhancing the shape and allowing cats to move more freely from shelf to shelf. Measuring 6 feet tall, the Contour Cat Tower has a foot print of just 21″ x 26″, making it suitable for apartments or small spaces.

The new Contour Cat Tower comes in a range of materials and finishes. At the high end, the Contour is available in sustainable bamboo plywood with a carbonized or chocolate finish. These finishes are created with organic vegetable-based oils that do not emit any harmful VOCs. The bamboo plywood is still a relatively under-utilized material and the finishing process is quite time consuming, making the end result quite expensive. The carbonized bamboo Contour is $590 and the chocolate is $640, but these two versions include free shipping.

The Contour is also available in birch veneer plywood finished with a walnut stain for $450 + S&H, or for the DIYers out there, check out the unfinished birch model for just $299 + S&H. The unfinished version lets you stain or paint it yourself to match your decor. This is a great option for people who have a bit more time than money!

The Refined Feline is thinking of redesigning their Lotus Cat Tower and they want to get your opinion. They’ve prepared an online survey that takes just a couple of minutes to complete. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of the designs.

> click here to take the survey

Cat Power Tower just released three new models that are all variations on their popular original design. This cat tower has the most entertainment features you’ve ever seen, and now you can choose just the right combination for your cat.

The original Cat Power Tower includes a Hunting Hole platform, a Power Platform with revolving feather toy atop a sisal scratching post, and a large Lounging Platform. The original model is $399.95.

The Scratch ‘n Hunt Tower is a new 3-tier variation on the original design which eliminates the Power Platform, if that’s not your cat’s thing, and instead has two Lounging Platforms and one Hunting Hole platform. This version sells for $329.95.

The new Little Cat Power Tower is a two-tier version of the Cat Power Tower. This version features the Power Platform and the Hunting Hole platform and sells for $289.95.

And finally the new Hunt ‘n Lounge Tower is another two-tier version with a Hunting Hole platform and one Lounging Platform for $219.95.

All models are made from eco-friendly plantation rubberwood, sustainably harvested sisal, and 100% post-consumer Mohawk EverStrand carpet, which is made from recycled plastic bottles.

10% Off For a Limited Time!

All models are currently 10% off when you order at www.catpowertower.com.

When I saw this on Design-Milk last week, I immediately thought, “This is a cat’s dream come true!” What kitty doesn’t love to sleep in an open drawer? This is part of a project by Sovrappensiero Design Studio for Italian office furniture manufacturer Manerba, taking old office furniture and creating new products from the parts.

Just think of the possibilities here! I want everyone to hit the thrift shops and see what you can come up with. Please send photos of your creations!

Here’s the latest creation from the folks at Hollywood Franklin. It’s the Santa Monica Franklin Promenade, an ingenious solution for allowing cats to climb on existing bookshelves without knocking everything to the floor. These beautiful handcrafted ramps fit onto the edges of standard bookcases, creating a little walkway for kitty to climb. Each ramp is covered with carpet tile to keep kitty from slipping.

The ramps slide onto the edges of the shelves, clamping in place without any adhesive or screws. The ramps are available in three sizes, designed to accommodate common shelf spacing from 8 13/16″ to 11 5/16″. Hollywood Franklin can also create custom Promenade ramps with dimensions to fit your shelves.

The Promenade shelves are recommended for cats up to 18 lbs. Available in three finishes (bleached white, flat black, and dark brown) with six different carpet options for $29.50 per shelf. For more details, visit the Hollywood Franklin website.

Here’s a special discount, just for Moderncat readers! Take 10% off the Cat Power Tower when you order online. Just enter coupon code MODERNCAT at check out.

Visit the Cat Power Tower website to read all about this incredible play center and to take advantage of this discount.

Hold on to your cats! This might be the coolest new concept I’ve seen in a while! I just received photos from the folks at Catswall Design Co, Ltd. of this brilliant new idea for a modular cat climbing wall. It’s a set of beautifully crafted wooden boxes that mount on a wall grid so you can move the boxes around to create a modular configuration of climbing, perching, and napping spots for kitty. Only the grid is attached to the wall and the boxes hang on the grid. Great idea!

The boxes have hinged lids for easy cleaning and they are made of natural wood for a clean contemporary look.

I absolutely love the cat and fish cutouts. The photos of the cats inside the boxes look like “face-in-the-hole” photo booth shots! Hilarious!

This design is just in the concept phase now. This is the prototype, but I’m told the company is working on bringing this to market if it’s something people would be interested in. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Industrial designer Bryan Stone has created some very cool concepts for a new cat furniture line. With names like Mod Pod, Katflat, Gattoman, Catrak and Shelfter, these could be the next big thing in Moderncat design.

From little hideaways to cool climbing towers, these designs definitely show some potential. Leave a comment to let Bryan know what you think of his cat furniture concepts. You can see more in his portfolio over at Coroflot.

All of these products are still in concept phase, but Bryan is looking for a company to work with to manufacture them. Feel free to contact him at idrawrealgood [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Urban Pet Haus is back with two new product ideas and they want your help again! This time we’re showing you two designs for some new wall perches with built-in feeding dishes/planters. They want to hear what you think, and everyone who leaves their feedback will be entered into a drawing for another set of Wave perches, one large and one small.

UPH has been working on two new perches: Flat and Plank. Both measure 24″ wide by 10″ deep by 6″ tall. Flat is made of powder coated steel and Plank has a faux zebrawood finish. Both mount securely to the wall and have a thick felt pad attached on top. I’ve seen the prototypes of both and they are very sturdy and well-made.

Both perches have a really cool feature, a built-in planter/feeder. This special insert can be removed for easy cleaning, plus it can be flipped over. One side creates a shallow reservoir that can be used for food or water. Turn the insert over for a deeper reservoir where you can plant cat grass for kitty to munch on. The Flat insert is zebrawood finish on the outside with a ceramic liner and the Plank insert is solid ceramic.

UPH wants to hear from you! Please leave a comment on this post telling us what you think of the two new perch designs. How much would you pay? Is the size (24″ wide by 10″ deep by 6″ tall) good? What do you think of the finishes? Would you use the feeder/planter feature? Any feedback you’d like to leave that will help the UPH design team refine these concepts will be greatly appreciated.

All comments received through May 15, 2011 will be eligible for the giveaway. Please leave only one comment per person. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and announced on May 16. This giveaway includes free shipping to addresses in the US only. Readers outside the US are welcome to enter if they are willing to pay the extra shipping charges.

In January I introduced the Cat Power Tower and it caused quite a stir, so this month we’re offering one for the May giveaway! Some very lucky cats are going to get their own ultimate play center! The Cat Power Tower is packed with features like a lounging platform, a scratching post and a scratching board, a hunting hole platform, and several motorized features that keep kitty entertained for hours, including a rotating bird carousel and a cat-powered play platform. The Cat Power Tower is the perfect way to keep your cat mentally and physically active.

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

The winner will get his or her choice finish, either Early American or Natural. 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 visit the Cat Power Tower website to see the different finishes and all the features, then come back here and  leave a comment on this post telling us what finish you’d choose and which features you think your cat would enjoy the most. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on May 31, 2011. This giveaway includes free shipping to addresses in the contiguous US only.

I wrote about this awesome cat climbing tower years ago when it first became available. Last year I found out that the manufacturer was changing, so the tower was unavailable for a while, but it’s now back in stock! I’ve seen this in person and it is a very well-made climbing tower. The boxes are sturdy and the fabric looks quite durable, not to mention the cool stacking design and fabulous colors.

It is now on sale at AllModernPet.com for $288.95 including free shipping. Regular price is $412.95 so that’s 30% off.

The Refined Feline has a new concept for a colorful cardboard cat climbing tower, but they need your feedback to finalize the design. They have created an online survey to capture your comments. If you take the survey, you’ll have a chance to win one of the new towers when they are ready.

>> click here to take the survey now