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Look!: John's Alcove Construction for Cats

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OK, all you pet lovers, (see the amazing response to our SF Survey: Do You Have Pets?), check out John's (aka, DesignIt) alcove construction project. Not only did it increase wall space for the bed and provide space for a windowseat...it gave his cat a cool catwalk/perch that, while cat-friendly, is not overly obvious.

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Display shelves double as steps to access the high shelf

See more photos here.

Via: moderncat

(Update: Drat, we searched the AT archives but didn't find it -- it turns out this was posted on AT:LA in November)

Comments (28)

i would LOVE to see a LOT more like this on AT. this is so superb and adorable and thoughtful....and cozy looking! great job, dang!

posted by kdkaboom on 2008-01-29 23:14:18
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Absolutely excellent!

posted by Doug on 2008-01-29 23:26:53
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Anyone interest in cat-oriented interior design MUST check out Bob Walker's The Cats' House. I saw the book, really awesome ideas although certain elements may not fit a strict modernist diet.

Some pictures can be found at:
http://www.amazon.com/Cats-House-Bob-Walker/dp/0836221834

posted by JulianH on 2008-01-29 23:27:00
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that is just too cute! love that idea! i wonder if i can discover an alcove somewhere in my apt to do that with?

well done!

posted by olga on 2008-01-29 23:34:54
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This is wonderful! A window seat and a cat perch/hideaway. Everybody/cat wins! I wish I owned my own place to do something like this! Thanks for showing us, AT!

posted by Pteetsa on 2008-01-30 00:16:30
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That window seat looks like the perfect spot to take a nap! I love it! But with my cat, I'd be a little wary of putting a perch over my bed. A cat jumping on you is no way to wake up on a Sunday morning.

posted by Comicgeek on 2008-01-30 04:26:22
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I LOVE this post, thanks so much Leslie!

and JulianH, thanks for that link, I added the book to my wishlist.

and for you DIY cat folks, here's a first attempt at a scratching post, has anyone else attempted this? done it way better?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/southof290/sets/72157603822221605/

posted by southof290 on 2008-01-30 04:31:35
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The cover of that Walker book is great - kitties running overhead in every direction.

posted by Pixie on 2008-01-30 07:40:34
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southof290 - wow, that's very clever and fun. The cat sitting on top looks like, what, this old thing?

posted by Pixie on 2008-01-30 07:43:40
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that kitty is living the good life!

posted by SD913 on 2008-01-30 08:53:59
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That's wonderful. Really nice.

posted by orangejuce on 2008-01-30 09:14:53
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I hope you're taking note of the enthusiasm here, AT! This is a beautifully designed and executed thing, and it expands the concept of a home to embrace the nature of another species of resident animal. None of that ugly or cutesy carpet-covered scratching crap but a real, architectural element. John's a genius.

posted by Aulaire on 2008-01-30 09:45:19
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love it!

posted by suziegoombs on 2008-01-30 09:53:41
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Re: SD: In fact, that kitty is living the high life!

posted by KarenH on 2008-01-30 10:04:29
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this is a great space, for both humans and animals alike...really great work...

posted by Jess2nola on 2008-01-30 10:26:10
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Lucky cat.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on 2008-01-30 11:04:11
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That is cat nirvana -- carpet for comfort and scratching, cut-outs for a view, lights for extra warmth, and height for feline superiority.

posted by wende in phoenix on 2008-01-30 11:37:39
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KarenH,

yeah high life is even better, hahaha.

posted by SD913 on 2008-01-30 12:16:41
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Wow, very impressive. This set-up is sensational for cat and humans, both.

I am particularly interested in the placement of the cat steps, as I thought a lot more wall space would be needed in my living room to get our three cats up the to top of the entertainment center.

posted by Luisa in Dallas on 2008-01-30 13:38:10
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Great job...

off topic, what's the great silvery grey wall color you used in the bedroom?

posted by noarch on 2008-01-30 13:55:52
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Great post AT!! And great job John - Wow!

I love a good chair, kitchen, remodel, etc. post as much as the next person, but giving us ways to keep our furry friends happy AND do so in a remotely (in this case, very) style-friendly way - Fabulous!

posted by pdxbyers on 2008-01-30 18:02:43
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For those of you interested in Bob Walker's book mentioned above, Powells has it (albeit curently backordered) for a much better price than Amazon.

http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=HARDCOVER:NEW:9780836221831:18.95#synopses_and_reviews

posted by pdxbyers on 2008-01-30 18:09:48
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what a great idea ,,,lucky cat ..majeral512

posted by majeral512 on 2008-01-31 21:26:13
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This post is so timely for me. I've been thinking of building a perch for my cat but wanted something that integrated into my apartment. That first picture helps me visualize what I might want to make.

posted by Sassy in SF on 2008-02-01 22:26:11
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southof290 - I just checked out your cat scatch post and it's awesome. Your cat must love it.

posted by Sassy in SF on 2008-02-01 22:27:57
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This is inspired!

posted by Usbek de Perse on 2008-02-02 13:26:58
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southof290 - that is AWESOME! thank you for posting the instructions, that's totally doable (and is a great idea to put near the couch...)

posted by olya on 2008-02-02 16:40:46
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MONGO love cat. Cat cool.

posted by Weasel Dearest on 2008-02-03 21:18:28
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