our story
Kista began with a simple frustration. So many dog beds felt either disposable, overly soft or just not very nice to live with. I wanted to make something different. Something genuinely comfortable for dogs, but also calm, solid and well made enough to feel at home in the room.
I started Kista in Lancashire to make dog beds that feel more like real furniture than pet products. Not loud, not gimmicky and not mass produced. Just thoughtfully made pieces, built by hand from materials I trust, with the kind of weight, finish and longevity that make them feel good to live with every day.
For me, that means making things properly, keeping the materials honest and designing pieces that can be maintained and repaired rather than quickly replaced.
made by hand in lancashire
Every Kista bed is made by hand in Lancashire using traditional furniture making techniques and carefully chosen materials. I make in small batches, paying attention to the details that are easy to miss and hard to fake. Clean joinery, a proper finish and a reassuring sense of weight and quality.
I do not use screws or nails in the frames. Instead, I rely on carefully cut joints and glue to keep the construction strong, simple and clean lined. It is a straightforward way of making things, but it gives the beds a solidity that feels very different from most mass produced alternatives.
Each frame is made from selected European oak with FSC certification, sourced from responsibly managed forests. The timber is then hand finished with my own blend of 100 percent natural tung oil and beeswax. It is completely pet safe and food safe, and gives the wood a soft matte finish that brings out the grain without making it look glossy or overworked.
To make caring for the bed easy, I include a small bottle of the same oil and wax blend with every order, along with a microfibre cloth. A light recoat now and then helps the timber age beautifully and keeps the bed looking its best.
The materials matter just as much as the making.
Alongside oak, I use British made wool textiles from Abraham Moon for the mattress covers. Wool is beautiful, but it is also practical. It is naturally insulating, breathable and comfortable, helping dogs settle in through warmer days and colder nights. It is also naturally odour resistant and slow to take on dirt, which makes it a very good choice for everyday life.
I am drawn to materials that wear in well, feel honest and do not rely on synthetic finishes or short lived trends. The aim is always the same. To make something that feels considered, useful and lasting.
materials chosen for real life
built to last and built to be repaired
Dogs are hard on furniture in the best way. They scratch, they sprawl and they bring the outside in. Kista beds are made with that in mind.
I want these pieces to be lived with properly, not treated as delicate things, and that is why they are designed to be maintained and repaired where needed. If something gets damaged over time, I would much rather repair it or replace a part than see the whole bed written off.
That way of thinking is central to Kista. Good things should last, and they should stay useful and beautiful for as long as possible.
here if you need us
If you have questions about sizing, materials, care or lead times, I am always happy to help. And if you would like to ask about alternative textiles, timber options or a custom piece, just get in touch and I will talk you through what is possible.
Kista is still a small business, and I think that should be a good thing. It means the process stays personal, the making stays careful and questions are always welcome.
a dog bed is just the beginning
Dog beds are the first Kista collection because they sit right at the intersection of comfort, craft and everyday living. Over time, I hope to expand into a wider range of handmade furniture built with the same materials, values and traditional techniques.
If you like the feel of solid timber, natural finishes and considered design, I hope you will feel at home with what Kista becomes.
If you have any questions about sizing, materials, care, delivery or lead times, you may find the answer on our FAQ page, or you are very welcome to get in touch.