Kitty Canvas

Kitty Canvas is an interactive system that transforms natural feline scratching into a work of art. The product uses a solid wood frame and modular, refillable panels made with designer upholstery-grade fabric to promote a refill-not-replace model. It was created for the Non-human Furniture Design studio at RISD.

As the cat sharpens its claws, the top layer wears away, revealing the different colors and patterns beneath.

My research focused on identifying a textile with the ideal failure point, balancing visual appeal with intentional fray. I selected a high-denier furniture-grade upholstery fabric for its tensile strength and abrasion resistance, making sure it could withstand intense mechanical stress. I looked for materials that fray into a deliberate fringe rather than pilling, which lets the bold colors and patterns underneath emerge gradually.

Once the cat has finished its canvas, it can be replaced with a new one. These slide-in panels feature designer upholstery fabrics chosen for a furniture-grade look that fits a modern home. I selected these textiles so the reveal would be visually striking as the cat engages with the surface.

I engineered a solid-wood frame with an integrated slide-in track system, shifting the product toward a circular refill-not-replace model. The frame is the part you keep; the panel is the part that wears.