A Cat’s Domain – Where They Purr by Paul Barbera

Words by Olivia Hides
Photography by Paul Barbera

Notorious for ruling their homes and having a taste for extravagance, cats and luxurious interiors seem to go hand-in-hand. Paul Barbera puts these felines and the opulent lifestyles they have grown accustomed to, on display in his new book Where They Purr, exploring the relationships between homes and their cat occupants.

Where They Purr: Inspirational Interiors and the Cats Who Call Them Home is a hardback illustrated book, showcasing 28 homes and their interior spaces, along with the fierce felines that accompany them. Through this unique perspective, Paul manages to capture the allure of cats in an attempt to uncover what sensibilities felines can divulge of their owners’ personal charm and design choices.

(Left) P. 132 – Tom, Interior Curation: Simone Haag and Sarah Shinners / Simone Haag. (Right) PP. 141, 142 – Raphael and Fellini, Designer: Tamsin Johnson / Tamsin Johnson Interior Design

The book features interiors ranging from a contemporary farmhouse with unrivalled views to an art-filled inner-city warehouse and a heritage-listed Victorian terrace. Each space is brought to life by the cats that reside within, as readers can peek into their internal world of sunlit nooks and scenic window views.

Melbourne-born Paul currently resides in New York City and is a lifestyle and interiors photographer, known globally for shooting interiors, homes and studios. Favouring a minimalistic style in his photography, Paul uses natural light to expose raw and authentic moments. Where They Purr is a parody of Paul’s own original work Where They Create – a visual journey through studios and creative working spaces of architects, designers, artists, art directors and stylists from all around the world.

With the ability to command any room, cats have an undeniable presence. Paul’s photography captures the true essence of the beloved house pet and the luxurious homes that they reside within. Where They Purr is available through Thames and Hudson Australia and will be released this October.