Cats can be notoriously aloof, yet they have a special knack for commanding a room. But what can these curious creatures reveal about their owners’ personal style and design sensibilities? Paul Barbera’s new book, Where They Purr showcases twenty-eight inspirational houses and their creative interiors, along with the charismatic felines who call these places home.
Today, you can take a look inside Where They Purr and meet Malcolm, a friendly rescue cat with a penchant for drinking paint water. Read on …
Where They Purr
Malcolm, AKA Moogi
Architect: Simon Knott / BKK Architects
As soon as this family saw Malcolm, aka Moogi, sitting quietly in the corner at the adoption centre, they knew he was the rescue cat for them. And it was as if Moogi knew they would see him, without him having to do anything special to get their attention. Moogi is four years old and (possibly) part-Russian blue. His relaxed and unfussy manner has proved indispensable for living with this bustling family of four. He is perfectly happy to be stuffed into a kid’s bed every night, and unlike many felines, he doesn’t mind going along on family holidays. Moogi manages to snatch moments of peace amid the chaos, curling up on the home’s heated floors or in a warm patch of sun.
Moogi lives with a creative family – an architect, an artist and their two children. The home features artisanal touches like a Danish woodfired interior brick wall, black porcelain floor tiles, and kitchen wall tiles hand-glazed by the artist.
The front of the house – a Californian bungalow built a hundred years ago – includes the original floorboards, leadlight windows and cornices. The artist’s studio is here, at the heart of the home. Sometimes she catches Moogi drinking the painting water.
Read a Q&A about Malcolm!
DIVA OR DEVOTED FRIEND?
Devoted friend.
EXTROVERT OR INTROVERT?
Extrovert.
LAP CAT OR NOT?
Sometimes – more like a bedfellow.
OLD SOUL OR KITTEN AT HEART?
Kitten at heart.
EXPLORER OR HOMEBODY?
A bit of both, but it is doubtful he has ever killed anything … maybe a mouse, or a lizard or two.
LAZY OR ACTIVE?
Closer to the lazier end of the scale.
DOGS – FRIEND OR FOE?
Best friends with the family’s rescue dog, Wally. Moogi is the boss: a few swipes to Wally’s nose sorted that out very quickly. Nowadays, the two are very comfortable with each other – every now and then you can catch them sharing the outdoor beanbag in the sun or rubbing up against each other affectionately around dinnertime. They have a very sweet friendship.
—Where They Purr by Paul Barbera (Thames & Hudson Australia) is out now.
Where They Purr
Cats can be notoriously aloof, yet they have a special knack for commanding a room. But what can these curious creatures reveal about their owners’ personal style and design sensibilities?
Where They Purr showcases twenty-eight inspirational houses and their creative interiors, along with the charismatic felines who call these places home. From a heritage-listed Victorian terrace to a modern farmhouse with panoramic vistas, an art-filled inner-city warehouse to a cosy rental...
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