Our kitten/cat never messes with my machines (once she got past the curiosity state) - and will always take a bath or snooze on the lightest colored fabric she can find - - - which ususally necessitates a rewash of the fabric before I can use it - but she loves velour (sp?) and I have a piece of it stretched over one of my fabric piles and she is content with that - it is soft and squishy and perfect for a nap!
For furniture - we just started from day one with a "No, you know better than that" when she thinks about sinking a couple claws into it - or even a stern "don't even think about it!!) when she is eyeing the furniture and that has been quite successful with us.
Also if she is sitting in my lap, I will wrap my arms completely around her (like hugging a human) and give her a gentle squeeze, and she loves it. Of course she won't turn down a loose roll of toilet paper laying around - to chase it around the house (unrolling all the way).
Yes, you are "staff" and one of the cutest sayings I saw about it is when you are calling her and she walks away with her ears half turned back - - she is telling you to "leave a message!"
We love our little girl and wouldn't trade her for anything. We get a little concerned when she is gone for a full day but she comes through her little cat door and wawlks in like "Hi, guys, whatcha been doing?" and we forgive her.
Marysewfun