House Things

When I was growing up my dog just slept on the floor. Then as an adult, I’ve had dogs who have slept in a variety of places: pre-husband, my two golden retrievers shared part of my bed with me; then they were relegated to outside the bedroom, where one of them, much to my husband’s irritation, slept on the couch. Our last two dogs had their own beds.

My point is that pet world has evolved and with it the accoutrements. I discovered this kittypod by Elizabeth Paige Smith on Design Public. It’s made from industrial strength corrogated cardboard is on a maple base. What I love about it is that it would certainly add to a room; no one is going to walk just past it without taking note, regardless of whether a cat is sleeping in it or not. What I’m a little less in love with is the price, which is $356. Seems a bit much for a cat bed? What do you think?

It’s been a crazy week so I’m a little behind in my weekly Etsy lovefest for Top Three Thursdays. I like to have it live by 9 a.m. for all of you who like to troll the web while before working. My apologies.

Anyway first up is this unusual chair from Shiner International. The ribs are apparently not permanently affixed so the user can take them out and put them back in whatever order he thinks best fits his particular contour. While it’s kind of cosmic looking and obviously would only work in a modern, contemporary setting, it’s still a cool idea, don’t you think? Even if you don’t like this, you should check out Joe’s shop because he has a number of interesting pieces of wooden furniture Size of this chair is 34.5″ wide X 32″ D X 33″ H. Price is $425.

Next up are these unusual side tables made from part of an old pick-up truck Ben Gatski’s family used to haul metal from farmers and dealers in rural Pennsylvania where he lives. This particular table was from the truck’s bed. The top features a new piece of US-made 10 gauge steel. You can view a video of how he made these tables here. Each table is $575 and is 22.5” H x 16.5” W x 16.5” D. Ben’s shop is The Steel Fork if you want to check this out more closely or see his other cool steelworks.

And finally, for the cat fancier with some cash to spend, a cat litter box cover. Available in Modernist Cat‘s shop, this box apparently helps prevent tracking by giving the cat room to wipe its feet before exiting (assuming the cat is that smart). It also obviously makes the litter box invisible (dealing with any odor is up to you) while giving you an instant table. Dimensions are 28″W x 21″D x 19″H. You can choose from four hand-rubbed finishes: natural, golden, walnut and ebony. The top is hinged for easy cleaning. It fits litter pans up to 26″ W X 19″ D X 7″ H. Price is $449.

This ingenious use of discarded tension rods caught my eye to kick off Top Three Thursdays on Etsy this week. I have no idea what tension rods are — can someone please fill us in? — but I think it would make a unique bowl for storing fruit or perhaps decorative balls or something to make an unusual centerpiece. This little wonder is available for $80 in Brian Mock‘s shop.

Continuing the upcycling theme is this adorable pet bed made from a vintage suitcase. Brilliant, don’t you think? It comes with a removable, triple stitched, machine washable, fluffy cushion for easy cleaning. The cat, of course, you have to supply yourself. Atomic Attic, where this is sold, has other colors available too, as well as a ton of other upcycled, vintage and handmade goodies. the suitcase can be yours for $79 plus shipping.

And, finally, this touch of whimsy from Seequin‘s shop: a painted cardboard chandelier. Why go with flimsy paper balls for party decorations when you could have a conversation piece like this? Each chandelier is laser cut and can be painted to order. Price is $46. Some assembly is required.

If money is no object, this cat bed could be just what your princess needs. This Elizabeth Paige Smith kittypod — how great is that name? — is eco-friendly, made mostly from  recycled materials. The curved egg-shaped pod creates an interior form-fitting bed for cats of all sizes. The texture of the corrugation provides a surface that is soft and breathes and is durable for scratching. What do you think? A little too much or just what every cat needs? $350 at Velocity Art and Design.

Up first today in Etsy Top Three Thursdays is something for the wall. The cyclist (or gearhead) in your life will love these unique clocks in 1 by Liz’s shop made from recycled bicycle parts. Liz uses  a black recycled bicycle chain guard and reclaimed textile. The clocks, which come in a variety of colors, take one AA battery to operate and are about 8″ in diameter. Price is $45.

The cat in your life, or maybe catlover if you prefer to give gifts to humans, will love this perch. No more scratched furniture. No more cat boredom. A cat tree with perches to spare, this is made with reclaimed wood and materials. The overall height  is 26″ and the overall width is 15.5″. Price is $180, but Kitty is worth every cent isn’t she? It comes in other sizes too. Check them out at DK Cat’s shop, who lives, by the way, in San Franciso.

I’m a sucker and always have been for brightly woven rug runners. We only have one room in our house that is wall-to-wall carpeting. The rest is wood floors….with lots of options for different rugs, depending on the room and my mood. This number from Finnish Weaver’s shop caught my eye immediately. It’s hand woven and is 66″ long and 29.5″ wide, perfect for a dark hallway don’t you think? Price is $98.

I’ve been trying to figure out out felting for a while so I’m always interested when I see a cool felting project. I thought these felted coasters on Etsy were a colorful solution to cup stains and I love the little bowl holder. $72 at Papaververt‘s shop for a set of six. They come in lots of colors.

She also makes a ton of different color bowls and I will admit that I REALLY want a set. NOW. This one is $54.

This next Etsy shop just made me laugh. It’s called Hot Digital Dog and features photos of your pet digitalized into one of those fake sepia photos from the Victorian era. You know sort of like those photo shops at resorts where you and your friends/family can get dressed up and look as if you’re in a an 1880s saloon or whatever. Here’s a sample shot. For $15 who can resist?

The last shop on Top Three Thursdays is Kari796‘s shop. An artist, Kari, who hails from the Northwest, uses encaustic paint to create her latest art. I had never heard of that paint, which is a mixture of beeswax, resin and pigment applied to wood boards with a heated iron, torch and brushes, but I just love the vibrancy of her work and so here it is. She has other paintings on her site as well. Enjoy. 18″X18″, $450.

An Indiana husband and wife duo creating unique furniture caught my eye first on Etsy this week. Their work, featured at the Dust Furniture shop, has sort of an Alice in Wonderland feel to it, I mean Alice after she’s done some eating and drinking if you remember the tale. Their things, which include tables, clocks and other items, are all a little off kilter and yet so clean and unusual. Take this wine cabinet….did they make it before or after they drank the bottle?

Very cool and at $995 a terrific piece that everyone will notice in your home.

For something  a little more traditional, check out their clocks, which are $75 each and you can pick the color.

I offer up this next one for those pet lovers who will do ANYTHING for their animals. These are custom made dog beds by Jakey. His Etsy shop is a study in over-the-topness but you still have to admire the detail.

This particular one is called Sophie’s Whimsy. The wooden box is made from plywood and hardwood, and then painted. The pillow cover is removable — obviously a necessity as anyone who owns a dog knows. Size is 19″ X 25″ X 10″ High, which means it won’t fit my hulking black lab named Sophie, but then she’d rather be in my lap anyway. Cost is $399.

Finally, this fabulous furniture from Upcycle Design‘s shop. Upcycling, if you’re not familiar with the term, is the creation of something of higher value using a product that’s of lower value. I think we can expect to see a lot more of this as our economy becomes greener and greener. Anyway Michael Yonke, the upcycler here, is based in LA and really makes furniture that doubles as art. This end table is a perfect example.

Made from reclaimed and old growth wood, the table can also be ordered  in other sizes to match. I love the sleek lines. This one is 18″x18″x16″(h) and costs $2500.

I don’t know about you but the news from the real world is getting me down. It’s hard to remain upbeat with the daily drone of bad news in the economy, politics, world view, etc. So I loved these pillows I found Crypton Fabrics. You don’t have to be a dog lover/owner to feel immediately better having this cute face staring up at you. Based on William Wegman‘s dog doodles, the pillows are zippered for easy cleaning and come in a ton of colors. While they wouldn’t work in a fancy living room, I could picture them as accent pillows in a family room or on a child’s bed for sure. Everybody needs a best friend like this and, best of all, no shedding $40.