apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Look!: John's Alcove Construction for Cats

1-29-alcove1.jpgMonths after we first saw it, John's alcove construction project still leaves us speechless. We love that it not only increased wall space for the bed and provided space for a windowseat, it gave his cat a cool catwalk/perch that's not overly obvious.

 
 
1-29-alcove2.jpg
1-29-alcove4.jpg
1-29-alcove3.jpg
Display shelves double as steps to access the high shelf

More photos - DesignIt

Via: moderncat

(Also posted on AT:LA in 11.07)

(Edited from a post originally published 01.29.08)

Tags

pets - dogs, cats, snakes, etc.

Related Links

Share

Comments (32)

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 January 29th 2008 at 6:14pm
view kdkaboom's profile

Absolutely excellent!

posted by Doug on January 29th 2008 at 6:26pm
view Doug's profile

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 January 29th 2008 at 6:27pm
view JulianH's profile

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 January 29th 2008 at 6:34pm
view olga's profile

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 January 29th 2008 at 7:16pm
view Pteetsa's profile

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 January 29th 2008 at 11:26pm
view Comicgeek's profile

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 January 29th 2008 at 11:31pm
view southof290's profile

The cover of that Walker book is great - kitties running overhead in every direction.

posted by Pixie on January 30th 2008 at 2:40am
view Pixie's profile

southof290 - wow, that's very clever and fun. The cat sitting on top looks like, what, this old thing?

posted by Pixie on January 30th 2008 at 2:43am
view Pixie's profile

that kitty is living the good life!

posted by SD913 on January 30th 2008 at 3:53am
view SD913's profile

That's wonderful. Really nice.

posted by orangejuce on January 30th 2008 at 4:14am
view orangejuce's profile

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 January 30th 2008 at 4:45am
view Aulaire's profile

love it!

posted by suziegoombs on January 30th 2008 at 4:53am
view suziegoombs's profile

Re: SD: In fact, that kitty is living the high life!

posted by KarenH on January 30th 2008 at 5:04am
view KarenH's profile

this is a great space, for both humans and animals alike...really great work...

posted by Jess2nola on January 30th 2008 at 5:26am
view Jess2nola's profile

Lucky cat.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on January 30th 2008 at 6:04am
view hrhprincessfiona's profile

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 the twin cities on January 30th 2008 at 6:37am
view wende in the twin cities's profile

KarenH,

yeah high life is even better, hahaha.

posted by SD913 on January 30th 2008 at 7:16am
view SD913's profile

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 January 30th 2008 at 8:38am
view Luisa in Dallas's profile

Great job...

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

posted by noarch on January 30th 2008 at 8:55am
view noarch's profile

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 January 30th 2008 at 1:02pm
view pdxbyers's profile

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 January 30th 2008 at 1:09pm
view pdxbyers's profile

what a great idea ,,,lucky cat ..majeral512

posted by majeral512 on January 31st 2008 at 4:26pm
view majeral512's profile

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 February 1st 2008 at 5:26pm
view Sassy in SF's profile

southof290 - I just checked out your cat scatch post and it's awesome. Your cat must love it.

posted by Sassy in SF on February 1st 2008 at 5:27pm
view Sassy in SF's profile

This is inspired!

posted by Usbek de Perse on February 2nd 2008 at 8:26am
view Usbek de Perse's profile

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 February 2nd 2008 at 11:40am
view olya's profile

MONGO love cat. Cat cool.

posted by Weasel Dearest on February 3rd 2008 at 4:18pm
view Weasel Dearest's profile

that is the coolest thing ever! it totally makes me want kitties

posted by hanako66 on September 10th 2008 at 7:24am
view hanako66's profile

I have to echo other posters who say this is a great post. I'd argue one of the best AT posts in a while. Great, innovative design idea. This is the sort of post that made me start coming to AT in the first place. I echo Aulaire, Take note. Forget beating us into Green-submission and give us great design ideas to make our living spaces wonderful.

posted by Jen C on September 10th 2008 at 8:15am
view Jen C's profile

It's a neat idea, but doesn't it block some of the light coming in from the bay window?

posted by jooly on September 10th 2008 at 8:31am
view jooly's profile

GREAT GREAT GREAT

posted by poptart on September 10th 2008 at 3:28pm
view poptart's profile

Feeds

RSS icon San Francisco

+ City Feeds