Lazy Bonezz - Exclusive Interview with the Makers of Luxe Pet Furnishings

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Jun 2nd 2010 at 11:01AM

When I heard the brand name "Lazy Bonezz," I wasn't sure what kind of company it was. Curiosity got the better of me, and I was pleased to discover luxury pet furnishings made with an eye toward sleek, modern interior fashion as well as smart functionality. The attractive, unobtrusive items for dogs and cats include an adjustable-height food/water dish, a scratching pad for cats that's not an eyesore and an impressive set of pet bunk beds. Finally, pet products that don't insult the integrity of your home design (see The Modern, $399, above, available in small or large).

Intrigued, I inquired about an interview with Lazy Bonezz designer Lorraine Shamie. My wish was granted and what follows is a surprising conversation about this unusual, mother-daughter company.

Luxist: So, are you a cat person or a dog person?

Lorraine Shamie: I love both cats and dogs. When we [Lorraine and her mother] started designing products we designed for both.

L: How did you get the idea for Lazy Bonezz?

LS: About two years ago, my mom and I were shopping for a gift for a close relative. She had a new baby Yorkie and just moved into a beautiful apartment in Manhattan. We wanted to buy her a stylish and comfortable pet-bed, but could not find anything that we felt she would want in her new apartment. We realized that there was a need for this type of product, and with our style and my father's manufacturing capabilities -- he runs Simmons Juvenile, a leader in the baby furniture world for 87 years -- we could solve this problem.

Gallery: Attractive Pet Products from Lazy Bonezz

L: Why the ZZ's?

LS: ZZ's represent sleep, which is a main component of our product, so we felt it fit. We also liked that it added character to our brand name. We fell in love with it immediately and received a lot of positive feedback.

L: What's your design philosophy?

LS: My mom and I spent over a year designing and perfecting each piece. Our standard has always been that if we didn't want it in our own home it was not acceptable. We set out to create beautiful pieces of furniture that compliment the home, and are able to be used by the most active pet. We feel that many pet owners hide their pet's products when they have guests over; LazyBonezz eliminates this problem. The mix of wood, stainless, and timeless fabrics, make our products beautiful and unique. Our designs are contemporary, but can fit with classic as well as modern homes.

L: What are your materials like?

LS: LazyBonezz products are composed of top-quality materials; solid rich woods, touches of gleaming stainless steel, and beautiful plush fabrics are the basis of our design. We only accept the best for our products.

L: How do you find out whether or not cats and dogs will like the products?

LS: During our design stages we tested all of our products with cats and dogs and adjusted them to their needs and comfort level. We also asked many owners their opinion of the product and what we could do to make it better. The style and design of our products are very important to us, but more important is the functionality, comfort and durability.

L: Have the cats and dogs ever sent you back to the drawing board?

LS: We have spent time adjusting the product to perfect it, especially as the samples came in, but we never totally redesigned a product.

L: What's coming next from Lazy Bonezz?

LS: At the Architectural Digest Show we had a great consumer reaction. We had many requests for more products. We are currently working on making a bed for larger dogs as well as a line of leashes and collars in the same design. LazyBonezz has always been about pleasing the pet as well as its owner. All of our products are built to be enjoyed by the most active pet, while allowing the owner to maintain a beautiful home. We plan to continue developing products with this principle.

As someone who regularly hides her cat's accouterments, I look forward to seeing what LazyBonezz comes up with next!

Tags: cats, dogs, home, lazy bonezz, pet, pets