Stylish kennels are dog-approved

Canine clients test crates created for home decor,

Sometimes a roomy, comfortable indoor kennel can be a dog’s best friend.

Designer Erman Burak Santana took that to heart in designing a line of modern and highstyle enclosures that are also intended to add to a pet-lover’s decor.

Not a dog owner himself, Satana began designing the dog houses and crates several years ago and relies on his imagination — and input from his canine pals.

“When we finish the prototypes, we invite dog owners to our office. These meetings take on a party mood,” he said. “We watch the reactions of the dogs and I think we’ve managed to create a safe, elegant and comfortable space since they quickly start laying in the crate happily.”

Each kennel is offered in four different sizes suited to pooches ranging from small terriers to Bernese mountain dogs. They include design elements and materials that incorporate light and air.

“Since I didn’t want the dogs to feel confined, in the design process I included acrylic windows and ventilation gaps. This touch created a rich visual by itself,” said Santana. “According to our data, the dogs do not feel alienated and they consider this space as their own possession in no time.” Owners seem to enjoy the spaces, as well. Satana says, “From some of the pictures we’ve seen, there are customers who get in the crate with their dogs for play time and snuggling.”

Santana, based in Turkey, founded his company WLO in 2019, offering four designs and delivers worldwide from the area of Burhaniye, a coastal town on the Aegean Sea. His firm is now branching out in the U.S.

All crates are constructed of marine plywood panels and are flea, mould and mildew resistant. Water-based series colourants give the wood an extra smooth surface. Customers can choose from five colours for the crates: black, white, walnut, rosewood, grey, natural, rosewood.

There are also four cushion colours: black, ivory, grey and navy.

Customers assemble the crates with the help of a digital instruction manual. Satana says assembly usually takes 2050 minutes.

Santana said his company, at wlowood.com, does about 10 per cent of its business with Canadian customers. WLO’s dog kennels are also on Etsy.