As inspiration for this month's AT Pet Décor Contest, we wanted to share two books that might spark your creative kibbles into motion.

Although not a practical how-to guide, Fred Albert's Barkitecture is an entertaining book of canine architecture. From quaint thatch roofed cottages to harsh Bauhaus-inspired (Bowhaus?) structures for Rover, Barkitecture reveals the great lengths we pet owners will go to to make our pooch pals happy (although in reality, dogs seem content with the simplest of creature comforts, so perhaps these structures are really for their owner's sake).

Doggie Homes: Barkitecture for Your Best Friend is brought to you by Matthew Klarich and Jeff Woods, hosts of DIY Network’s Barkitecture TV show. A 128 pages of instructional plans, photos and tips, this seems like the perfect companions to Albert's more fanciful inspiration book above. Available August 15.