We became the owners of a beautiful Siamese cat about 6 months ago, and I thought it would be nice to get her something that she can climb on and also be able to have a nice high vantage point out the front living room window. We originally were going to get a traditional carpeted cat tree, but it was on back order, so I started looking for something else and found this.
As soon as I saw it I knew this had to be the one due to how beautiful it looks.
I ordered it and it arrived the following day.
I had no trouble with assembly, so the company obviously has resolved the issues that many other customers had with earlier models. It took about an hour to assemble, being very careful to follow the instructions (they are basically just pictures showing what parts go where - no actual written instructions, but I know this is typical with many items these days.) Everything fit as it should and the tree looks gorgeous in our living room - like a piece of art.
The only problem I did have is that the insert in the bottom end of the support strut pulled out of the wood, which made it loose. I took that piece off the tree and used liquid nails to re-attach the insert. After it set, I re-installed the piece on the tree and all seems well now.
One other minor thing I noticed is that all of the wooden dowells fit loosely into the holes. Since these are supposed to be there to add stability, it seems like they should fit snugly into the holes, but they do not. Still, after assembling the entire unit, it is very sturdy. As others mentioned the wooden plugs that cover the screw holes will fall out if not pressed in enough. I light tap with a hammer will set them into the holes and they won't fall out. I was careful not to tap them in too hard, in case I even need to pop them out to tighten screws down the road.
A few differences to note between how the tree looks in the pictures and what you will actually get:
1) The carpet and cushions appear to be a lighter beige color in the pictures, but they are a darker brown color. The cushions are actually very dark brown (similar to the espresso color of the wood, while the carpet is a bit lighter. This did not bother me as the carpet color actually goes very well with my furniture colors and is very nice.
2) The scratching surface shown in the picture is near the bottom of the left side of the tree, between the bottom edge of the base and the first climbing shelf. On the one I got, the bottom of the scratching surface starts at about the level of the first climbing shelf and goes up to just below the second climbing shelf. This seems like it would make this a bit high for the cat to scratch when sitting on the floor. I'm not sure why they put it that high and also not sure if other Lotus trees have it positioned there or it's just mine. However, the diagram in my instruction book shows it positioned where it is on mine.
3) They added a support strut that connects the big, curved piece to the back corner of the cubby, which is not shown in the pictures. This gives the tree more stability and does not take away from the overall look of it. They did a good job on creating that piece to fit into the overal design well.
Overall, we are very pleased with the tree. Our cat is still exploring it very cautiously. She has climbed on it a bit, but never gone to the top on her own yet (but it's only been a day.) We have put her on it a few times so she would know that it's hers and ok to climb on and also put her on the top and she has stayed up there a few hours, looking out the window, grooming herself, and sleeping. She also went into the cubby this morning on her own and layed there a while.
If you're looking for a beautiful cat tree that looks like a piece of art, this is it.
UPDATE 4/10/2015
We still have the tree and still love it. It has survived two moves now without any problems. Since moving to our new home our cat now practically lives in and on the tree. She climbs up the thing with such speed and precision. She sleeps up on the top often in the evenings, and in the little house at the bottom during the day.
We get many compliments on how beautiful it is and people don't even realize it's a cat tree. They ask 'what is that? is it an art sculpture?' It look so nice in our new home and looked nice in our old home too, so I think it would look good anywhere.
Still love it and still highly recommended.
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Product Description
Features
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Ideal for Multiple Cats- Almost 6 feet tall - Has multiple spaces for your cat(s) to perch, and play - Each shelf can hold up to 50 pounds |
Beautiful Look- Crafted in sturdy plywood - Real oak veneer - Complements your home's decor |
Multi-Functional- Secluded cubby at the bottom of the tower - Includes a foam cushion inside and on top of cubby - Stepped carpeted platforms for cats to climb. |
Replaceable Parts- Cushions can be washed and are available for replacement when worn. - Sisal scratch pads and carpets attach to the tower with Velcro-like material and can be replaced |
Photos
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Videos
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Lotus Cat Tower by The Refined Feline
RefinedKind
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Customer Review: BEST cat furniture ever designed!!!
Tiffany
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Kitten Climbs Tower, Plays with Ceiling Fan
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Looks great, and the cats love it
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Lotus Cat Tower Features. A modern cat tree for stylish home
RefinedKind
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| Customer Rating | (746) | (15714) | (174) | (12451) | (1022) |
| Price | Unavailable | $40.46 | $149.99 | $119.99 | $81.38 |
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Aosom Direct | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| Color | Black | Beige | Multicolored | Cat Tree - Double Decker Playground (Gray) | Rustic Brown, White |
| Size | 4 Levels | Large | 108" | One Size | 26" x 15.7" x 33.9" |
Beautiful piece of cat "furniture", but where are the replacement pads/covers?
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020
After many years of buying (and replacing) those hideous carpet covered monstrosities (including making our own), my husband and I decided to purchase the Refined Lotus Cat Tower in Espresso in Jan 2019. It is a fabulous piece of furniture and I do mean "furniture". It sits in the living room with our Ekornes furniture and looks like part of the set.The cushion covers unzip, the carpet pads come off, and you can machine wash the carpet pads (if you have a washing machine with a hand wash cycle). Note: this is my personal experience and I cannot make this claim for any other washing machine. If concerned, always follow what the manufacturer recommends.About a year ago, we brought into our home a Balinese kitten and he recently showed great interest in the tower and started perching on it. In the past, the tower was used by another cat and we had sprinkled catnip on the pads. The Balinese is a bit unusual in that he is very sensitive to catnip. Normally, he is very loving and playful. But if exposed to catnip, he hisses, growls, swats, and attempts to bite. This is when we found you could wash the carpet pads. However, the catnip smell apparently remained after machine washing and sun drying the pads, cushions, and covers. Whether the catnip smell remains permanently in the pads or in the wood, I have yet to find out, as Amazon does not seem to offer the replacement pads. (Turns out I had to go directly to the Refined Feline website to order the pads and they were quite reasonable and shipped quickly - Christmas 2020 hint: check there for sales!)One other comment, the price. When I purchased this 22 months ago, it was $330 and it has since increased to $400. Is it worth $330? definitely and it is still worth $400 (watch who you buy from). In six to seven years, you will spend around that much on decent carpet versions ($50 - $70 each), not be able to clean them, and then throw them away in six to twelve months if you are fastidious. Meanwhile, the Lotus will still be beautiful and functional. It is hard to find any other cat "furniture" out there that is of similar quality and style.So kudos to The Refined Lotus, you made a beautiful and lasting product!Amazon? Please stock those replacement parts!.The price? Your decision.picture 1 - after 22 months - hidden until new pads are foundpicture 2 - only damage to one corner of pad, catnip nibblerpicture 3 - King Rufus on his throne (with a new pad!)
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2020
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 28, 2020
The cushion covers unzip, the carpet pads come off, and you can machine wash the carpet pads (if you have a washing machine with a hand wash cycle). Note: this is my personal experience and I cannot make this claim for any other washing machine. If concerned, always follow what the manufacturer recommends.
About a year ago, we brought into our home a Balinese kitten and he recently showed great interest in the tower and started perching on it. In the past, the tower was used by another cat and we had sprinkled catnip on the pads. The Balinese is a bit unusual in that he is very sensitive to catnip. Normally, he is very loving and playful. But if exposed to catnip, he hisses, growls, swats, and attempts to bite. This is when we found you could wash the carpet pads. However, the catnip smell apparently remained after machine washing and sun drying the pads, cushions, and covers. Whether the catnip smell remains permanently in the pads or in the wood, I have yet to find out, as Amazon does not seem to offer the replacement pads. (Turns out I had to go directly to the Refined Feline website to order the pads and they were quite reasonable and shipped quickly - Christmas 2020 hint: check there for sales!)
One other comment, the price. When I purchased this 22 months ago, it was $330 and it has since increased to $400. Is it worth $330? definitely and it is still worth $400 (watch who you buy from). In six to seven years, you will spend around that much on decent carpet versions ($50 - $70 each), not be able to clean them, and then throw them away in six to twelve months if you are fastidious. Meanwhile, the Lotus will still be beautiful and functional. It is hard to find any other cat "furniture" out there that is of similar quality and style.
So kudos to The Refined Lotus, you made a beautiful and lasting product!
Amazon? Please stock those replacement parts!.
The price? Your decision.
picture 1 - after 22 months - hidden until new pads are found
picture 2 - only damage to one corner of pad, catnip nibbler
picture 3 - King Rufus on his throne (with a new pad!)
Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Beautiful piece of cat "furniture", but where are the replacement pads/covers?
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 28, 2020
After many years of buying (and replacing) those hideous carpet covered monstrosities (including making our own), my husband and I decided to purchase the Refined Lotus Cat Tower in Espresso in Jan 2019. It is a fabulous piece of furniture and I do mean "furniture". It sits in the living room with our Ekornes furniture and looks like part of the set.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 28, 2020
The cushion covers unzip, the carpet pads come off, and you can machine wash the carpet pads (if you have a washing machine with a hand wash cycle). Note: this is my personal experience and I cannot make this claim for any other washing machine. If concerned, always follow what the manufacturer recommends.
About a year ago, we brought into our home a Balinese kitten and he recently showed great interest in the tower and started perching on it. In the past, the tower was used by another cat and we had sprinkled catnip on the pads. The Balinese is a bit unusual in that he is very sensitive to catnip. Normally, he is very loving and playful. But if exposed to catnip, he hisses, growls, swats, and attempts to bite. This is when we found you could wash the carpet pads. However, the catnip smell apparently remained after machine washing and sun drying the pads, cushions, and covers. Whether the catnip smell remains permanently in the pads or in the wood, I have yet to find out, as Amazon does not seem to offer the replacement pads. (Turns out I had to go directly to the Refined Feline website to order the pads and they were quite reasonable and shipped quickly - Christmas 2020 hint: check there for sales!)
One other comment, the price. When I purchased this 22 months ago, it was $330 and it has since increased to $400. Is it worth $330? definitely and it is still worth $400 (watch who you buy from). In six to seven years, you will spend around that much on decent carpet versions ($50 - $70 each), not be able to clean them, and then throw them away in six to twelve months if you are fastidious. Meanwhile, the Lotus will still be beautiful and functional. It is hard to find any other cat "furniture" out there that is of similar quality and style.
So kudos to The Refined Lotus, you made a beautiful and lasting product!
Amazon? Please stock those replacement parts!.
The price? Your decision.
picture 1 - after 22 months - hidden until new pads are found
picture 2 - only damage to one corner of pad, catnip nibbler
picture 3 - King Rufus on his throne (with a new pad!)
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
F. MARTIN
Stylish and Good Quality
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 4, 2020Color: BlackVerified Purchase
THull
Beautiful, and almost perfect
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 21, 2020Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Wonderful cat tree
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 17, 2016Color: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 17, 2016
Overall, this is an excellent piece of furniture and while I would certainly have preferred a lower price, I can't fault the quality of the materials.
Images in this review
Jack
Beautiful and love it absolutely !!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 10, 2019Color: BrownVerified Purchase
Janice
Cats Adore This Tower (We Like It, Too)
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 11, 2015Color: BlackVerified Purchase
