The Rural Modernist himself became an animal convert as an adult and actually penned a piece on this very subject with pets ensconced in George Nelson-esque pieces and other modernist delights. Modernica, fabulous purveyors of modernist furnishings, is seeking submissions of pets on modern furniture. Here's a chance for your pet to go to a place where they're not supposed to go and you may be handsomely rewarded. Now, really, are you sure you still want them off the furniture?

Please welcome our latest columnist to The Rural Modernist team: Carol VanderKloot of cvk ink. This childhood chum of mine specializes in media relations and communications for the design community, so she will surely be sharing scoops and insider information long before you read about it anywhere else.

I guarantee they won't go out of style after a couple of years like that lame Hollywood Regency knock-off lamp you bought at West Elm. Sure, they might barf on the flokati or poop in your house plants when you're not looking, but you just can't beat that warm/fuzzy/unconditional love ambiance they bring to any interior.

Screw potpourri. Fill your vessels with cats! My über tasteful pals Mark and Paul share their gorgeous Eichler home with a couple of cats (and the occasional uninvited raccoon) in sunny San Raphael, California.

Just say NO to faux fur and use the real thing. My luxuriously pelted Miniature Pinscher, Tino, perfectly compliments (and vanishes into) our new Marimekko Kikku duvet.

Planters are not just for plants. Tino commandeered this vintage fiberglass bullet planter for his own lounging needs until I kicked him out and used it to store kindling for the wood burning stove.

Play with scale for added drama. Our beloved gigantic Rhodesian Ridgeback, Simon, pretty much filled up every space he occupied to eye-popping effect.