pamperedpuppy // luxury lifestyles for dogs

Simply Precious

Marie Antoinette
Luxury Dog Bed

Marie Antoinette? Louis XVI? Not merely famous figures from history! They're also part of the beautiful line of custom pet palaces created by interior designer Betsy Boggs. Handcrafted in the US, Precious Palaces are created with the highest quality designer fabrics and trimmings and are truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Betsy's journey of creating Precious Palaces started one rainy night when she and a friend rescued an injured dog in the middle of a superhighway. "When no one claimed her," Betsy said, "I brought her home. I had two other dogs at the time, a black and tan, long-haired dachshund named Luvy and Contesssa, a blonde, wire-haired, soft coated dachshund, neither of whom were very happy about having another dog."

Years before, Betsy had made a pet house, inspired by the 18th century kennels that Queen Marie Antoinette had in her rooms in Versailles. Precious came to think of it as her own little palace and would sit inside during the day waiting for Betsy to return home.

Ottoman Luxury Dog Bed

With her interior design background, it was only natural that Betsy's friends encouraged her to start making her luxurious, unique dog furniture for others, especially given how strongly Precious felt about her own. Although she hesitated (these are not easy pieces to manufacture!) eventually her friends won and she decided to start her own company. But she had no idea what to call her new venture. Sadly, four and a half years after she was saved from the rainy highway, Precious passed away from an auto immune disease. Betsy decided to name the company in memory of that little rescued dog.

Each and every Precious Palace is custom-made by hand. Betsy chooses top-quality designer fabrics and high-end materials. The workmanship on these little pieces of furniture is superb. For example, the gold detail on the Marie Antoinette style palace is actually gold leaf paper, which must be applied by hand. The gorgeous cushions are made of down and feather.

The Louis XVI is her most popular style. With her love of canopy beds, Betsy was inspired to create this formal four-poster palace by the original designed by the King himself. Draped in reams of gorgeous fabric, this palace features curtains and skirt which are completely removable for dry-cleaning. Betsy is no stranger to French furniture design. "I used to spend every fall in France, spending lots of time at Versailles and I love French furniture," she said. "Louis XVI had his cabinetmaker create kennels for the palace in Versailles. They were upholstered in blue or lavender velvet and satin, which were two of the Queen's favorite colors."

Louis XVI Four Poster
Luxury Pet Bed

When speaking of her design style she says, "I think that I could say that many of the things I do are very whimsical, I kind of dream them up; part of my design world, like the pagoda, speaks of my love of oriental things." The Pagoda is a "little Chinese and a little Balinese" according to Betsy.

She tries to design the beds for the specific needs of her clients. "The Marie Antoinette looks beautiful in an entrance hall. As well, I have one client who placed two pagodas in their entrance hall on either side of a grand staircase." The Ottoman is a very tongue-in-cheek design, perfect for the ultra-modern library or office. Made of sleek faux leather, it's detailed with pewter studs and chain and a spiked collar! Comes complete with a zebra striped ultrasuede cushion. The USS Precious comes in a gorgeous marine blue ultrasuede trimmed with white rope. The original was 42" in diameter with two porthole-like openings and was used a coffee table in the client's yacht.

Because each palace is custom-made to order, all of Betsy's designs can be customized for the client and their precious pooch. Betsy believes her palaces are most suitable for small dogs as little as 2lbs to medium sized dogs, like pugs, bichons and poodles up to 25 lbs. For each order, she works closely with the client, choosing a style and fabric that will coordinate with their existing decor and create a focal point in their home.

Asian Pagoda
Luxury Pet Bed

Which is important, since our furkids are VIPs these days. "Especially since 9-11, people have invested more in their homes and feel that their pets are like their children. Years ago, dogs used to be dogs. Now dogs are the new focal point of the family. They are like little people," said Betsy.

Betsy is mom to both Luvy, her black and tan long-haired dauschund, and Elizabeth, a long-haired chihuahua, who both said hello to me while Betsy and I chatted on the phone.

Owned by both royalty (the Princess of Dubai bought two Louis XVI style palaces for her two Pekinese) and Hollywood celebrities, these gorgeous pet palaces are all about pampering, giving your pet a room of their own. Whether decked out in tapestry, velvet, brocade, silk, faux leather or ultrasuede, they are, quite simply, precious.

You can find out more about Precious Palaces from their web site at www.preciouspalaces.com