Once upon a time, I had a clean home free of fur, muddy paw prints and de-stuffed toys.

Let’s face it: Dogs don’t really compliment the decor. Felix loves his giant BARNSLIG FLODHAST Ikea Hippopotamus, but that orange and red polka dot freak of nature goes with nothing I own. It does not bring a sense of whimsy to the room – it just makes us look crazy. Ditto that for the Angry Birds scattered all over the place and it only takes one accidental kick of the Screaming Monkey to bring a dinner party to an awkward crashing halt.

I needed a toy box, but I wanted something a bit more stylish than a wicker basket.