One of my favorite design blogs, Remodelista, recently posted a collection of natural fiber “poufs” which are meant to be used as footstools or low seating, but you better believe that any moderncat would take a liking to these great forms and natural materials. I actually have the banana leaf stool from IKEA, which I purchased just for the cats. I assumed they would scratch on it and that I would have to throw it out eventually, but they actually treat it like their most prized possession! They all take turns sitting on it, occasionally knocking each other off for a turn. It’s the perfect size and shape and they seem to love the texture. We call it “the tuffet.”

Shown above (clockwise from top left)

• Rattan pouf from Urban Outfitters $88.00
• Alseda banana fiber stool from IKEA $29.99
• Cotton & jute stripe rope floor cushion from West Elm
  regularly $79.00, now on sale for $39.99
• Rattan pouf from Pier 1 $99.95

Here are some of my kids enjoying their precious IKEA stool.

via Remodelista | Thanks to Moderncat reader Maia Cybelle for the tip

Simple, natural materials make the best cat trees, and that’s exactly what the folks at Mountain Cat Trees use to create their products. Made from real trees with the bark removed and natural sisal rope, these are some of the most eco-friendly cat trees and scratchers I’ve ever seen.

All products are handmade in the North Quabbin region of Central Massachusetts. The trees used for production are locally harvested from downed trees or timber cutting and forest management. Absolutely no carpet is used on any of the Mountain Cat Trees scratchers or cat trees.

If your aesthetic is more treehugger-modern, then make sure you check out these beautiful, earth-friendly and cat-friendly products.

We’ve got a fabulous giveaway this month from DKcat! One lucky winner will receive a handmade, eco-friendly Platform C cat tower! The winner will get to choose either the Platform C or the new Platform C2 with a larger rectangular top perch in a choice of chocolate wood with tan carpet, blonde wood with grey carpet, or blonde wood with multi-colored carpet (all three options shown above.) All DKcat towers are made in San Francisco. Read more about the DKcat towers here.

Make sure you sign-up to receive Moderncat email updates so you’ll be entered to win the monthly giveaway. This giveaway is open to international readers who are willing to pay the extra shipping. Thanks DKcat!

This just showed-up in my in-box (thanks, Elbereth!) and I haven’t seen it before. It’s the Tall Egg Cat Climber Tower Condo from WhiskerStudio. It’s made of solid birch plywood finished with non-toxic water-based stain and clear lacquer. The shelves and the vertical scratchers (located above the first and second shelves) are covered with 100% natural woven sisal attached with non-toxic adhesive. The whole thing measures 72″ tall by 23″ wide by 18″ deep. It ships flat and you have to put it together, which they say will only take 30 minutes, but I guess that depends on how much IKEA assembly experience you have.

Available at Amazon.

This beautiful modern cat tower from DKcat is handmade using eco-friendly materials and reclaimed wood, perfect for your eco-conscious moderncat. The bamboo plywood structure is formaldehyde-free and the platforms are covered with low-VOC, recycled content carpet. The posts are made from reclaimed wood elegantly wrapped in natural sisal rope for scratching. The Platform C tower comes with either a square or rectangular upper platform and is available in chocolate or blonde wood with tan, grey, or multi-color carpet.

Platform C is the first product from DKcat. Additional eco-friendly modern cat products are in the works.

These two beautiful new climbing towers are the latest designs from The Refined Feline. The first is The Everest, made from bent plywood with FLOR carpet tiles covering the shelves and large sisal scratching pads on the sides. Standing 7 feet tall, this gorgeous tower will make quite a statement in any modern interior. The second contemporary tower fits in the corner, taking up minimal floor space. Matching wall shelves can be added to extend the climbing area. Both will be available from The Refined Feline soon.

Brand new and beautiful, this sleek modern scratcher is the latest design from one of my favorite companies, Cat Livin’. This scratcher is so new that it’s not even on their website yet. It’s being debuted at the SuperZoo pet expo in Las Vegas this week and this is the first peek that anyone is getting. The Wedge scratcher features a durable sisal scratching pad paired with one of a variety of wood veneers. American plantation grown walnut is shown above.

Stay tuned this week for more exciting new finds from the SuperZoo show.

Finally, the major pet product retailers are starting to stock some more stylish options, like the Dream Curl from Petlinks System. The Dream Curl is a stylish scratcher that provides a variety of surfaces for scratching, playing, and lounging. It incorporates both carpet and sisal, allowing kitty to choose her favorite. The curved form creates areas for napping and perching, plus there is even a little toy that hangs underneath the curve for a fun surprise every time kitty walks by.

I purchased one of these the very first time I saw it and I have to say, it is one of the cats’ most favorite objects. Everyone takes turns lounging, jumping, and scratching on it. (At this very moment, Dazzler and Flora are both kicking the heck out of it.) The little toy came off right away, but it was a good idea. The cats absolutely love their Dream Curl, plus it is quite durable (except for the toy). There is almost always someone playing in it, on it, or under it. This is an extremely well-designed product with a very affordable price tag.

Available at PetSmart

New from the U.K. comes a unique approach to indoor climbing — the Hicat climbing system. Designed with a cat’s natural climbing instincts in mind, this system of products includes vertical climbing elements that extend from floor to ceiling.

The clean contemporary forms are available in a variety of configurations and textures. The larger vertical element can include access holes and internal shelves, kind of like a tree hole for napping or surveying the living room.

Hicat is not yet available, but it can be pre-ordered now and is expected to ship in the U.K. sometime around August 2008. The manufacturer is currently seeking U.S. distribution.

Have you ever wished for furniture that is both beautiful and durable — durable enough for kitty? Your wish has been granted! Introducing a new line of living room furniture from Cat Livin’. Covered in high-quality sisal, these pieces are designed to withstand feline abuse while maintaining their good looks. In collaboration with furniture manufacturer Viesso, Cat Livin’ has created a completely customizable collection, starting with this attractive ottoman. Available in 17 colors with a variety of leg designs, you can create one to match your decor perfectly. And you won’t have to wait a lifetime to receive your custom order, you will have it just three weeks after you place an order.

Beauty and creativity come together in this incredible line of products for living with cats by Dutch designer Marly Gommans. The collection, called ‘Cats in Style,’ includes a scratching post, a covered litter box, a pillow bed, and a concept for a cat door.

Made using natural materials like wool felt and sisal rope, these pieces are eco-conscious in addition to being beautiful and functional.

Another Moderncat favorite from the Global Pet Expo was the streamlined and stylish CatVantage modular cat tree system. There are lots of great things to call-out about this product. First, it’s designed to take up very little floor space by extending between the floor and ceiling with a unique, modular design that can fit ceilings up to 10 feet. Also, the products used in the CatVantage are earth-friendly, using 100% recycled PVC for the components of the central column with carpet-covered birch steps.

The pieces of the tree fit together to form a sturdy staircase leading to a large loft at the top. An optional sisal scratching pad can be attached to the tree and the company is currently working on other add-on components.

The PVC and birch model (shown to the right above) is currently available by calling the folks at CatVantage. They are also developing an all-wood version (pictured in the video above) that will be out later this year.

This month, we are thrilled to be giving away the newly designed cat tree from the folks at TrendyCat. This beautiful and practical cat tree is like nothing you’ve seen before. It has two levels with large 16″ by 18″ cushioned perching shelves. The shelf supports are sisal covered scratching posts, with the tallest one measuring 30″ for maximum kitty stretching. It has a solid base for stability and is constructed with high quality bolts–no staples!

Like all the other TrendyCat products, the new cat tree is made of sustainable bamboo and birch hardwoods, and is finished with a durable, non-toxic satin finish. TrendyCat products never contain particle board or MDF and each one is handcrafted in the USA.

The winner will get to choose either the natural or the caramel finish. Sign-up now for your chance to win this terrific giveaway! (This giveaway can only be shipped to the US or Canada.)

I made it through 240,000 square feet of pet products at the Global Pet Expo in San Diego this week and I found several brand new items that I am very excited to share with you. First, we have the new Craftsman Series Feline Furniture from Mr. Herzher’s. These pieces caught my eye because of the simple, clean lines inspired by the American Craftsman style. Not necessarily modern, but definitely a style that can be incorporated into a modern or contemporary interior.

Made of solid wood construction, this line of quality cat furniture will come in two finishes, the brown shown above and also a more contemporary ebony finish. There are three styles, the single seat, the double seat, and the deluxe double seat that includes a premium sisal scratching surface. The seating areas are upholstered in durable, soft micro-suede.

The Craftsman Series Feline Furniture will be available this spring. I will be posting more great finds from the Pet Expo throughout the week.

If you’re looking for eco-friendly options in cat towers as well as clean, contemporary design, then these models from TrendyCat may be just the thing for you. Handmade in the USA from solid bamboo with absolutely no particle board or MDF, the TrendyCat towers are some of the greenest cat furniture I’ve come across. The towers are available in three sizes ranging from 3 feet to 5 feet tall, and come in two finishes, the lighter natural color and a darker caramel color, which is actually produced by caramelizing the bamboo during the manufacturing process, not simply by staining it. The bamboo is finished with non-toxic satin polyurethane.

The medium and tall towers shown above both include two cantilevered sisal-covered shelves, perfect for perching or scratching. Replacement shelves can be purchased separately if the sisal becomes worn over time. All three models, including the small tower, have padded cushions, which are also replaceable.

These towers are a bit of an investment, but they offer the kind of quality that is sure to last for many years.

Available directly from TrendyCat.

This sleek reinterpretation of the cat tower from The Refined Feline brings a touch of Zen into the modern home while satisfying several of kitty’s needs–all in one piece of furniture. The Lotus Cat Tower stands almost six feet tall and includes multiple surfaces for climbing and lounging, a vertical sisal panel for scratching, a padded cushion for sitting, and a cubby for napping or hiding the litter box. With so many features it is sure to become a popular hangout.

Available at Amazon

The light-carrying properties of acrylic make it one of the most spectacular materials for use in modern furniture and interiors. One of the first companies to design modern pet furniture using acrylic was London-based Wowbow. Their elegant Loulie Cat Tower is a cube made of 10 mm thick acrylic, that supports a memory foam cushion covered in faux suede and topped with 3 inch sheepskin. Could you ask for a more perfect perch?

To accompany the cat tower, Wowbow designed Skritch, a beautifully simple scratching post. The sisal tube mounts to the wall with an acrylic frame that practically disappears, transforming the scratching post from an eyesore into a streamlined sculpture.

Wowbow’s Mija bed and Mija dining table also make excellent use of this stunning material. Both are available in smaller sizes, suitable for cats.

All of Wowbow’s products are handmade in the UK and the company donates a percentage of profits to benefit animal welfare organizations.