If you have a choice between using a completely mundane piece of furniture and having fun with a cute animal-like home accessory, which would you choose? Designer Hanna Ernsting definitely chooses the latter with her line of adorable footstools that look like playful animals.

The Petstools series consists of four animals: an elephant, a pig, a sheep, and something which may be an anteater or perhaps a goat. Ernsting imbues a cuddly sense of personality into each of the stools, making them look almost like pets just begging to play. Besides being completely adorable, the Petstools fold over your feet to keep them warm.

Perfect for kids or fun-loving adults, the Petstools all come with removable, washable wool covers. The designs turn a boring utilitarian home accessory into a cute and playful companion that can bring a smile to your face every time you kick back and put up your feet.

“The desire to relax at home, to cuddle up on the couch and put your feet up serves as a constant inspiration for the designs of Hanna Emelie Ernsting.”

“With Pets she transforms the purely functional, everyday footstool into a delightfully cozy companion enhanced with new aspects. You can put your feet up…or plunge them into the soft material to warm them. Pets are true eye-catchers and can add a humorous and playful contrast to more conventionally furnished living spaces.”

With few details enhancing the minimalist shapes, Pets evoke associations with animals and irresistibly invite you to ‘pet’ them and be amused. The many different animal forms offer creative combination possibilities and will spark the collector’s passion.”

“Hanna Emelie Ernsting is a German-American designer. From 2004 to 2010 she studied product design at the HfG in Karlsruhe and at the ENSAD in Paris. During her studies she worked with the Dutch designer Ineke Hans in Arnhem, with the architects ISAR in San Francisco, as well as with the Vitra Design Museum. Hanna started her own design studio in 2011.”