| When I think of a cozy cottage style home, I | | | | litterbox to keep litter from being dragged all over |
| immediately think of the quintessential cottage cat. | | | | your home. |
| You know the kind...sweet and fluffy and all curled up | | | | 5. Shelf Shazaam. Since cats loves high places, why |
| on the seat of your favorite antique rocker. | | | | not provide your cats with a high shelf of their very |
| Here are 7 Decorating Tips from my own two | | | | own? We installed one in our laundry room in a |
| Scottish Fold cats, Beau and Monique, for creating a | | | | former home, padded it with a "cat patterned |
| "cozy cottage cat atmosphere" for your own home. | | | | throw," and put toys on it. At night, Beau & |
| 1. Kitty Condo. What cat doesn't love to climb up and | | | | Monique slept the whole night on their very own |
| down one of those carpet covered kitty condos? By | | | | shelf rather than wandering around our home and |
| providing one for your cats, you'll also reduce the | | | | getting into trouble. |
| claw marks on your furniture and window | | | | 6. Feline Throw. Cats love snuggly blankets and |
| treatments. You can purchase one that matches the | | | | throws. An attractive throw will also protect your |
| colors in your cottage. | | | | sofa or chair from claw damage and an abundance of |
| 2. Beautiful Beds. You can easily buy decorative beds | | | | hair; just toss the throw into the washer and dryer |
| at pet stores and on the internet. My cats have two | | | | for cleaning. A "cat patterned" throw can also add |
| round pink fur "cozy rings" that I bought at Target | | | | color and cozy ambiance to your décor. |
| when I was redecorating my cottage bedroom. Their | | | | 7. Finicky Felines. There are many attractive cat |
| cozy rings look attractive, match my décor, | | | | dishes now available at pet and discount stores. My |
| and Beau & Monique love lounging in them. No | | | | cats' water dish is in the shape of a fish, and their |
| hair on the bed, and the cozy rings have also been a | | | | food dish is a pink crown that says "Cat Princess." |
| conversation piece when friends come to visit. | | | | When I travel, I'm always on the lookout for fun |
| 3. Basket Case. Provide a pretty wicker basket for | | | | stuff for my "fur babies" and since I'm an interior |
| your cats' toys. Wicker is always welcome in a | | | | decorating consultant, I only like to purchase |
| cottage style home, and a basket provides a tidy | | | | attractive things that go with my own style of |
| way to store toys. It's also a fun place for your cats | | | | cottage décor. |
| to play and hide. | | | | Long gone are the days when your cats' "stuff" has |
| 4. Litterbox Luxury. If it's not possible to hide your | | | | to be plain and drab. With the wide array of choices |
| litterbox well, purchase or build a wooden cabinet to | | | | on the internet, you can integrate your cottage cats' |
| slide the litterbox into, or at least buy a covered | | | | décor with your own, and coexist both |
| litterbox in a color that blends with your | | | | happily and beautifully!c2005 Kathryn Bechen. All rights |
| décor. A colorful rug can be placed under the | | | | reserved worldwide. |