SITTING PRETTY PETS ENJOY LUXURIOUS DIGS TO MATCH OWNERS' POSH DECOR.

Byline: Diana McKeon Charkalis Lifestyle Editor

When 6-year-old Roscoe Roller of Beverlywood lays himself down to sleep, he has his choice of several luxurious beds throughout the house. Each one stylishly complements the room it inhabits and was chosen just for him.

Although Roscoe may sound like a pampered child, he's not. He's a pampered puppy - a 100-pound chocolate Lab, in fact. And his owner is one of a growing cadre of ``pet parents'' with discerning taste who want their pet furniture and accessories to be as well-designed and stylish as everything else in their homes.

``It has to be coordinated,'' says Jillian Roller of Roscoe's cozy ultra-suede bedding. ``To have something ugly on the floor is just not an option. He may not care, but I do.''

Roller runs Maxwell Dog, a boutique for canines in Studio City that carries chic beds starting at about $60. It also offers a canopy bed for pooches for $180 and ultra-high-end tinted acrylic dog beds made in England. These go for between $800 and $1,200 and are ``great for someone who has a really modern house,'' Roller says, adding that the boutique has sold more than a few.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Americans spent $36 billion on their pets last year, and about $6.8 billion was lavished on cat and dog accessories.

``It's a huge and growing industry,'' says Janet McCulley, one of the owners of Muttropolis, an upscale San Diego-based pet products chain with its nearest store in Newport Beach. ``There was a time when dogs and cats were relegated to the back yard, but that time is gone. Pets are family members now. They're an integral part of our lives and people want them to have the same amenities as they do.''

Delayed marriages and baby boomers with empty nests are driving a trend toward people showering more affection and funds on their pets, McCulley speculates. And with more people than ever becoming design-conscious, there just may be a ripple effect.

``These days, people want their pets to be an extension of their own personal style,'' she says.

This translates into dogs lapping water from $75 striped ceramic bowls made by celebrity potter Jonathan Adler. And cats taking up residence in stacked ``kitty condos'' made of wood and cotton fabric, which come in mix-and-match shades and can retail for as much as $229. Even fish can be trendsetters. The U.K.-based company Reef-One offers a to-die-for minimalist fishbowl (about $120 for an 8-gallon tank). It comes in a variety of colors with a ``swappable'' top and base that can be switched out to match any decor.

Designed by an engineer specializing in product design who is also an avid fish keeper, the BiOrb bowl was made to look great while keeping fish healthy. ``It has to work, but it's also very design-driven,'' says company president Paul Stevenson. He says the company is currently working with designers to create ``interior furniture'' to enhance the design options inside each bowl as well.

As people become more knowledgeable about design and decor, aided by the slew of house-related books, magazines and cable programming, they've also become more confident. This has created a need for better and more varied options for themselves and their pets.

``It used to be that people bought a dog bed and it lasted the life of the dog,'' says Robert Moritz, who owns Puppies and Babies in L.A with his wife, designer Hannah Brand. ``Now they like to redecorate and upgrade them more often. It seems like they're feeling a lot more comfortable being their own interior decorators.''

At the shop - which, as the name implies, caters to tots and dogs - Brand has designed cushion-style dog beds that come in three sizes with more than 15 different pattern options with coordinating piping. Prices range from $89 to $159. ``As (upscale, stylish) dog beds go,'' Moritz notes, ``ours are actually pretty cheap.''

Even retailers who don't traditionally offer furnishings for pets are now beginning to do so. On the affordable end of the spectrum, that includes IKEA, which now has a trendy black and white dog bed ($24.99-$49.99) and a wicker cat bed with a platform for $49.99.

``Our customers do view pets as part of the family, and we like to offer things that look good in the home for all (family) members,'' says IKEA design spokesperson Janice Simonsen. For those with bigger budgets, there are also plenty of options, says Angie McKaig of Toronto, whose pamperedpets.com Web site reviews the latest products for dogs. ``What we're seeing is high-end furniture makers going after this market. Some beds are in the $1,000-plus range. If you're going to spend $10,000 redecorating your living room, you're not going to get a cheap dog bed. More upscale designers are being asked to provide something for pets that matches or is comparable in quality.''

One local example of this is Modern Living, a furniture store in Los Angeles that features established and emerging European design. It recently began offering the dog sofa, a luxury dog bed reminiscent of a Le Corbusier couch. It comes in four sizes and starts at $325.

``It's fun and beautiful,'' says designer and co-owner Roberta Marino as she explains her decision to offer the high-end pet pleaser in her shop. ``It's a stylish option for people and dogs who want to live the luxe life.''

Diana McKeon Charkalis, [phone]

diana.charkalis(at)dailynews.com

FOR YOUR TOP DOG

These are area stores that carry some of the products featured. For a more extensive list, including Web sites, please visit dailynews.com.

Maxwell Dog: 12332 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; [phone].

IKEA: Locations include 600 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank; [phone].

Puppies and Babies: 8363 W. Third St., Los Angeles; [phone].

Modern Living: 8775 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood; [phone].

Muttropolis: Locations include Fashion Island Mall, 865 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; [phone].

CAPTION(S):

12 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Yorkshire terrier Milos belongs to Kristian and Bernadette Bumpus of Playa Del Rey. The bed, based on Le Corbusier designs, comes in four sizes and is sold at Modern Living in L.A. Prices start at $325.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) The nylon Fat Boy Doggie Lounger comes in an array of colors. Prices range from $110 to $150.

(3 -- color) Muttropolis' Luxe Kiki Throw features luxurious faux-shearling. Washable. $135.

(4 -- color) The Climb Condo for Cats gives kitties something to dig their claws into. Available at stores including Muttropolis, where it retails for $229.

(5 -- color) The Bow Haus is a hip, alternative crate. It's available at locations including Muttropolis, where it ranges from $419 to $549.

(6 -- 7 -- color) The Furry Beetle Sofa, fit for dog or cat, comes in in five chic colors including orange, left, and pink, below. Available at Muttropolis for $135.

(8 -- 10 -- color) IKEA's creature comforts include the cat/dog bed ($24.99-$49.99), the cat bed with platform ($49.99), below, and the tent ($6.99) for kitties and small dogs, upper right.

(11 -- color) The Fishies Cat Buffet features stoneware bowls in a wooden stand. Available at Muttropolis; $39.

(12 -- color) The biOrb fishbowl by Reef-One (www.biorbusa.com) comes in 8- and 16- gallon sizes. A 4-gallon version will be introduced in March for about $60.

Box:

FOR YOUR TOP DOG (see text)