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Palaces for Pooches

Being in the dog house actually might not be a bad thing…

Merging hand craftsmanship and high-end technology with years of expertise, British design firm Hecate Verona has pushed engineering, craft and design further than any other architect or manufacturer before, culminating in the creation of truly unique and exclusive outdoor dog mansions.

At Hecate Verona Dog Manors, it all starts with an idea, a new groundbreaking thought, the intention of taking high-end architecture and playing with perspective and dimensions, the perfect harmony of lines and curves that the designer sketches out as he or she defines an exclusive and loving environment for your pet.

The team’s architects and product designers have gathered inspiration for their luxury doghouses from all over the world, and from many different classical architectural periods. The architectural styles that have been carefully chosen have stood the test of time and today are recognized as some of the greatest achievements in human history.

The second important source of Hecate Verona’s inspiration is the pets themselves. To ensure that the overall quality of the product and the well-being of your pet is paramount, the firm conducted extensive research and consulted with pet psychologists. As dog breeds can be sensitive to their surroundings, materials are ecologically sourced and allergy-free wherever possible. Luxurious materials like oak, marble and Swarovski crystals are incorporated to enhance the glamour and exclusivity of the already premium products.

Creative Director Alice Williams said the sky is the limit when it comes to the fulfillment of special orders. “Our objective is to create a majestic and royal-looking dog manor that complements the garden and the surroundings in which it stands,” she said. Our customers and their dogs typically live indoors, so we see our dog manor as an extra that gives a pet more comfort.

“It is a dog’s own house with all the comforts of an indoor living room, making the whole experience of staying outdoors more fun and enjoyable,” she added. “This leads to the dog enjoying the outdoors even more and staying more active, which is highly recommended by veterinarians.”

Each dog manor is bespoke, exclusively designed and handcrafted by Hecate Verona’s skilled architects and designers. Beginning with the structural framework right through to the finishing elements like windows, pylons and roof tiles, all the elements are miniaturized originals that ensure the authenticity and proportions of all the details of the dog mansions.

Crafting an architecturally designed dog manor is a complex art. Even before the thousands of components are fitted together, the master craftspeople must carry out a crucial preassembly procedure that is vital to ensuring that all the pieces will fit together flawlessly. The walls and framework of each doggie mansion is crafted from solid wood elements and a steel frame. The completed exterior is not only an attractive architectural form but also serves as a protective shield against the weather.

All doghouses are equipped with automated lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the ultimate comfort of pooches. Each manor house has a separate lounge and bedroom, giving your pet space to move around, eat and sleep. And there are built-in internet-connected cameras and a screen to remotely interact with pets at any time.

Hecate Verona currently offers four types of luxury doghouses, and others are on the drawing board. But luxury does come at a price: for an original Hecate Verona dog manor expect to spend between $38,000 and $215,000.

Colonial Villa Doghouse

The Colonial style started in the 1600s. Americans wanted to build homes and government buildings that expressed the ideals of their new country and also conveyed elegance and prosperity. This luxury dog mansion is designed to look like an 18th-century well-to-do Colonial American home. A total of 1,803 handcrafted pieces were needed to finish the masterpiece in 1,197 hours. It is available in two sizes: 8’6” wide x 5’3” long; large: 11’7” wide x 9’4” long*.

Colonial Villa Grand Doghouse

This larger version of the Colonial Villa required 2,316 hours to assemble 3,052 precisely handcrafted pieces.

Roman Imperial Mansion Doghouse

The Romans created a lasting legacy of architecture, providing some of the finest and most distinctive buildings in the ancient world. Their concern with simplicity, proportion, perspective and harmony are seen even today.

Roman influences may be found in government buildings across the U.S. In Washington, D.C., we see them in the Capitol Building, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and other government buildings. The seats of still-existing regional governments were built in the grand traditions of Rome, with vast flights of stone steps sweeping up to towering pillared porticoes and huge domes gilded or decorated inside with themes that were popular in Rome.

The architectural style and bold colors, such as cobalt blue, vermilion and bright yellow used in painting the Roman Imperial Mansion Doghouse, is influenced by those ancient Roman houses. It takes about 863 hours to assemble the dog manor from a total of 1,492 handcrafted pieces. 7’2” wide x 9’3” long*

Spanish Palacio Doghouse

Spanish eclectic style is well constructed and has lots of character. The style started in California and Florida, which have the ideal climate for Mediterranean-inspired homes that remain popular today.

Spanish, African, Latin American and Native American influences are combined to provide a diverse and rich history on which the style is built. The orange and red terra-cotta roofing defines the local architecture, reflecting the abundant sunshine in these regions. Flexible stucco, intricate tiles and more have kept this multicultural style going strong for a century. The Spanish Palacio Doghouse is constructed from 3,708 handcrafted pieces in about 2,694 hours. 10’2” wide x 7’2” long*

For more information about Hecate Verona Ltd. visit www.hecateverona.com.

* All sizes are approximate conversions

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