About Us
Poppy & Rufus
Lifelong friends since university, founders Sue and Louise share a mutual passion for gorgeous colour combinations, creative designs, inspirational interior dcor and getting a big buzz out of what’s new in the shops!
We both took ownership of our beloved pups back in 2011, Poppy (a working cocker spaniel) and Rufus (a Jack Russell, Yorkie, Shi-tzu cross). Sue soon wondered why it was so hard to find a proper, functional dog bed that wasn’t dull, predictable or kitsch. Phoning Louise with an idea for producing practical beds but in really lovely colours to show off in your home, we realised we had both noticed the exact same gap in the market and so it all began! We wanted highly functional products that were absolutely gorgeous too! Just how designers have transformed everyday household products from kitchen utensils to cake tins into a shopaholic’s delight, we set about creating the same experience for dog owners.
Our Concept
The key to our unique concept was finding the exact colour palettes and fabric designs that would give us the right look and feel. We would then be able to carry this across everything we made, from beds to storage boxes to pottery bowls, so everything would go together beautifully! We loved the idea of a matching range, just like a sofa with complementary cushions and throws!
Hunting high and low, we realised we would just have to come up with our very own fabric designs if we were to get exactly what we wanted (we’re very fussy!). Finding textile designer Jenny Lee-Katz, both extremely talented and a pleasure to work with, led to the creation of our 3 fabric designs (Poppy, Rufus and Leaf). Taking inspiration from the pure, clean elegance of Scandinavian chic, treasured possessions and favourite things, our first colour palette was born. Deliberately neutral, like a blank canvas, so we can gradually add in exciting contrasting or complementary colours as we build and grow.
Our Products
Having created our own colour palette and fabric designs, we then carried this across our entire range to produce a uniquely co-ordinating line of products that look great individually or as a complete set. No more clashing colours or random collections of doggy stuff lying around the house!
We took all the products you would normally use with a dog in the house and re-designed everything with owner and dog equally in mind, to function just as you would need it to. Washable, wipeable, cosy and comfy, un-chewable and portable all sprang to mind. If pockets and clips were needed, we added them, increased and decreased sizes as required and of course, kept everything looking good!
We are also proud to have sourced some of the best British manufacturers and craftsmen to produce all our products here in the UK.