From design concept to creation:
The history of the first fully customizable raised dog bed for your beloved pet.
How the Liebling got its name
Pronounced "Leeb-ling,” the name is a nod to Britta’s background and first language, German, where Liebling is used as a term of endearment for the one you love.
Growing up, her family used “Liebling” as a nickname to address their dog Linus, who was dearly cherished, so when it came time to decide on a name for the pet bed, it was the perfect choice.
In a wonderful linguistic twist, the Liebling also fortuitously combines the English words “lie” (i.e. to rest, sleep) and “bling” (popular vernacular for luxury).
The need that inspired the Liebling
A Harvard and MIT-educated award-winning interior designer, Britta Butler worked with many pet owners over the years. She often needed to source dog beds for their homes, but came to realize that finding a bed that complemented her design, was well-constructed, and a piece that dogs actually loved to use was nearly impossible.
She searched far and wide with little success, and eventually become so frustrated that she decided to design the bed that she couldn’t find on the market. Britta spent over a year drawing, fabricating and testing concepts for a fully customizable bed, designed to fit into any high-end interior, as comfortable as it is beautiful, and durable enough to withstand daily, real-life use.
The end result of all this work was The Liebling-a true labor of love!
Crafted by artisans
In the course of the product development, Britta collaborated with a family-owned workshop that has been making bespoke furniture for over 25 years. This family of artisans was able to bring The Liebling from concept to reality, with the luxury craftsmanship and quality Britta had been searching for.
Tested by discerning dogs
As an animal lover and dog mom, Britta knew that it was key for her clients’ pets to love the Liebling as much as they did. She called upon numerous dogs (including her own Simba & Nala) to try the bed in order to get the coveted “doggy seal of approval.” Qualities of the Liebling that the testers especially loved:
the comfy cushion (filled with hypoallergenic & hygenic shredded latex) - especially good for senior dogs with creaky joints!
the smooth solid curved frame that provides a generous backrest for a sense of envelopment and protection
the luxuriously soft ultra-suede washable cover (with owners also giving high marks for the waterproof inner lining that protects the cushion and makes cleaning easy)
the raised bed that keeps the occupant cool and elevated
The final design passed with flying colors, with each dog happily spending hours in their custom Liebling – even choosing it over their owners’ beds!