We asked our product designer and founder what he pays attention to when developing new products, what matters most to him, and where his love of cat furniture comes from. He also reveals his three favourite products.

The magic of high-quality cat products
Cat furniture didn't always have the best reputation! Cheap materials and disposable items. The time is ripe for beautiful, high-quality cat furniture! That's exactly what Sebastian, our founder and chief designer at LucyBalu, thought too. Today we stand for high-quality, beautiful and species-appropriate cat furniture and accessories. After all, who says a beautiful home and life with cats have to be mutually exclusive? With the right approach and premium cat products, your interior becomes a paradise for our furry companions – without compromising on style and design. The scratching post, for example, often seen as a necessary evil, can become a true highlight in your home with high-quality materials and an appealing design.

"I actually had no connection whatsoever to cat furniture and accessories, until the day two cats moved in with me" – Founder and Chief Designer, Sebastian Frank.

1. How would you describe LucyBalu's design philosophy? Are there certain principles you follow?

We don't have principles or rigid rules in product development, and I actually don't think that would be a good idea – it would hold us back or limit us from the start, and we want to create something new and move forward. Capturing ideas and bringing them together into a consistent "look and feel" is, in my view, the real art. Building the entire portfolio so that the LucyBalu design language and quality come through in every product – even though the products themselves are so different and hard to compare – that's the biggest challenge for me as the person responsible for our products.

2. Was there a particular moment that changed your view of cat furniture and sparked your passion for high-quality design?

I've always had a passion for beautiful, refined things, and above all an interest and curiosity in materials and surfaces. So it was only natural that I went on to study product design. That passion hasn't faded – I love walking through shops or trade fairs, touching products, and experiencing quality not just visually but also through touch. I actually had no connection whatsoever to cat furniture and accessories, until the day two cats moved in with me.

3. How do you find the balance between design and functionality in the design process?

In my opinion, good, timeless products – so-called "iconic pieces" – combine both qualities perfectly and in a completely natural way. And the more naturally that happens, the simpler the whole design process becomes. I make a conscious effort not to overthink it, but instead to listen to my gut and my intuition.

LucyBalu and Westwing share a common philosophy when it comes to beautifying the home with carefully chosen, high-quality products. The elegant Lennon sofa and the bouclé stool Alto from the Westwing Collection are outstanding examples of how basics and trend highlights can blend together seamlessly. In both worlds, timeless elegance takes centre stage, turning the home into a place of beauty and comfort.

4. Are there specific rituals or habits you follow during the design process to make sure every piece of furniture reaches the desired level of quality and aesthetics?

As with many creative people, my best ideas come when I'm not consciously thinking about them, and ideally, when not much else is going on. The classic example: the best ideas come on holiday or while doing nothing… Unfortunately it's not quite that simple, but it's certainly a factor. Of course, there are also techniques you pick up over the years. For instance, I like visiting exhibitions, letting myself be inspired by completely different products, and trying to arrive at new shapes or product ideas through association. Almost anything can become a scratching post, a feeding bowl, or the new cat bed…

5. What are your three favourite LucyBalu products, and why? What design elements make them so special?

I have many favourite products and have built an individual relationship with almost every one of them. Each product has its own story, and each one stirs up quite different emotions in me.

I'd like to highlight our ZENPAD lick mat – developing this product was so much fun, and that fun carried over into the product itself.

Then there's our SCRATCHPAD scratching board – we've had the Scratchpad in our range for a long time, but I still find our magnetic mounting solution almost genius, because it's so simple and logical – small ideas like that just make me happy.

And third, I'd say our wall-mounted cat tree MAISONETTE – the product perfectly combines our wall furniture with the classic, freestanding scratching post. That's what LucyBalu stands for – rethinking the familiar while always keeping the cat and the human in focus.