DECORATING WITH FIDO IN MIND Fabric, Flooring and More

When you share your home with an animal, you have to be prepared to put up with a certain amount of dirt and chaos that’s part of the fun of being a pet parent But just because you have a dog doesn’t mean you have to settle for a home that’s chewed up, dug into, or dirtied In fact, with a little creativity and some thought about your pet’s comfort and safety, you can have a home that not only showcases your love for your dog but your decorating smarts as well

Start with Your Furniture

One of the biggest fashion statements in your home is your furniture, but keeping furniture beautiful in a home with a dog can be a challenge Start by eliminating any chewing behaviors before they start with a firm direction and a good supply of chew toys If you enjoy doggy cuddles on the sofa, you can still keep it from becoming a dirty, ragged mess by choosing a fabric that can stand up to wear and be easily spot-cleaned Avoid plush fabrics that will serve as a magnet

MORE FURNITURE TIPS:

To reduce the appearance of pet hair on your furniture or carpeting, select a color that matches your dog Seriously

Be consistent in your training to let your dog know that “digging” on the furniture is strictly verboten That goes for chewing, too

Accidents happen Keep a supply of paper towels or rags and a reliable stain remover handy, perhaps stashed in a table drawer or in an attractive fabric box or covered basket on a shelf

Coordinate your dog’s bed with your furniture with a removable pet cover in a great fabric

If your dog is aging and has difficulty getting up on the furniture, place an attractive footstool near his favorite couch or chair to give him a boost A great decorative piece will give your room a boost as well

By Joyce Becker Lee

for dog hair and look for heavy-duty denim or canvas, or a good microfiber that will repel dirt, stains, and liquids One name to look for is Crypton (see sidebar), a virtually indestructible fabric that comes in whimsical patterns and gorgeous colors and is specially designed for stylish dogs and their owners

Of course leather is a practical covering for dog-centric sofas, but choose the best top-grain leather you can afford, dyed through to help mask scratches. And remember, even the toughest material can be punctured and scratched by canine claws One solution is to add a slipcover in a great color or pattern that will add punch to your everyday décor while protecting your furniture Even a single colorful throw on your dog’s favorite spot will cushion the claw and catch the dirt. Either is easily whisked away when you have company Extend the “ cover up ” into your bedroom with a pet-friendly duvet protecting your quilt or bedspread

Crypton is a practically indestructible fabric originally created for industrial and corporate applications. At the company website, www.cr ypton.com, you’ll find not only fabric, but a variety of attractive pet products, from pet beds to throws (called “throvers”) to mess mats

According to Randy Rubin, Chairman of Cr ypton Fabric, the fabrics are designed to not only last through years of dogs and kids but to accent your décor She says, “Because we ’ re in the home furnishings business with our performance fabrics, we know how people are decorating their homes. The pet products we create, while incredibly durable and protective, are ver y on trend with color, design, and fashion. Our philosophy is to let the pet bed and the ‘throver’ become decorative objects instead of just being ugly, utilitarian, ordinar y-looking pet products that stick out ”

To that end, Cr ypton has partnered with renowned dog photographer and artist William Wegman to create a delightfully doggy, yet fashion-for ward, line of pet accessories

Cr ypton products can be purchased online or found in over 3,000 furniture and fabric stores around the world, including Potter y Barn

Factor in Flooring

A home with a dog needs flooring that will stand up to the punishment of claws and roughhousing. Tough, easy-to-clean hard surfaces such as tile, laminate and hardwood are popular choices, but these materials do have their negatives: all run the risk of scratches, chips and gouges; woods and laminates risk warping if subjected to standing water If you choose wood, consider bamboo and cork both tough, sustainable materials that stand up well to claws. Another solution might be an engineered floor, such as Hardwoof from Nydree Flooring (see sidebar), which offers the beauty of real wood toughened up for dogs

If carpeting is your decorating choice, know that while it is warm and elegant, it can be a nightmare where pets are concerned. To minimize headaches select a flat-weave that won’t get caught on claws and pull or unravel, and be prepared to vacuum often You should also invest in a good spot cleaner and carpet shampooer One great alternative is removable carpet tiles, such as those by Flor (www.flor.com), which come in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes Maintenance couldn’t be easier a stained square can be simply taken out and replaced durable wood flooring for high-traffic commercial products and is proud to extend its exper tise into the area of home flooring with Hardwoof, a layered wood flooring product designed just for dog owners. With a wood surface infused with a tough acr ylic, Hardwoof is 300% harder than traditional wood floors The wood is then topped with a special urethane called Pedestrian 2 0, creating a practically indestructible finish

Company owner Jason Brubaker saw the need for a dog-centric product: “A lot of folks want real wood flooring but they’re afraid of how it will perform with their dogs,” he says. “Our product was developed specifically to stand up to the abuse of dogs, which allows people to use real wood with their pets ” He adds that the company works with homeowners, contractors, and designers for a custom look that will stand up to your pet

MORE FLOORING TIPS:

To reduce sliding accidents by exuberant pets, make slippery floors safer with attractive accent carpets or throw rugs, securely anchored by furniture or set on a non-skid pad

Avoid those basted chews that leave stains on carpeting. Opt instead for clean chew toys and edible treats

Even sand can scratch and pit floors, so clean paws after every outdoor trip Keep cleanup materials such as pop-up cleaning wipes near the entrance door

Cr ypton’s “Throver” blanket gives pooch a spot to call home anywhere - in the home, the car, hotel, or anywhere you want to protect. Lightweight, soft, stain, liquid and odor resistant, Throvers are so stylish, you may decide to borrow one for your next picnic, tailgate, beach day or just to curl up in Available exclusively at cr ypton com by artist William Wegman does just that You’d never know this soft and super cool chair throw and and pillow are extra durable, stain, moisture and odor resistant The company has a performance pedigree: They’ve been a leader in fabrics for hotels, spas and restaurants and health care for decades, and now have developed new technologies for home and pet use Available exclusively at cr ypton com

Throughout the Home

By incorporating your dog’s needs, you can add architectural interest and decorative savvy while maintaining a comfortable environment for your pet. For example, consider the natural instinct of dogs to find a cave-like area where they can feel safe and secure You can make such a cozy spot into a decorating statement by opening the front of a window seat to create a stylish (and comfortable) space underneath Make a cozy den beneath your kitchen planning desk, giving your pup a comforting place to adore you while you cook Ditto under your office desk. (My dog enjoys the occasional bare foot massage under my desk while I’m working )

Add a touch of fun doggy decor near your entrance with an interesting grouping of decorative hooks for leashes or doggydesigner clothes. If you have a spacious entryway, add a cute storage cube or bench for your pet’s outdoor toys and clothes (It can do double-duty as a place to sit and put on or take off boots ) Finally, consider the ultimate luxury: a dog bathing area (either outside or your pup ’ s own little “bathroom” complete with a spray shower A good site may be by the back door or inside the laundry room or garage

With a little creative thought, your home can shine with a love that says “ a dog with a very savvy owner lives here ”

To a dog, the next best to being to being outdoors is comfy, sunny spot to curl up and look outdoors. The stylish pet owners in this home have outfitted their custom window seats with cushions upholstered in Cr ypton Home Fabric. Soft, richly textured and offered in fashion colors and patterns, it is indistinguishable from luxur y upholster y except that Cr ypton high tech performance technology, incorporated at the molecular level, will keep this seat looking new for years to come, without worr y of stains, spills or odor It is offered through design showrooms and fine fabric and furniture retailers nationwide More: cr ypton com

MORE DECORATING TIPS:

Rethink that delicate silk wallpaper and opt instead for a washable paint in eggshell, satin or semi-gloss the shinier the finish, the easier to clean

Keep your window treatments simple and easy to clean or dust

Place breakables out of reach of swooshing tails Set them on shelves or tall furniture, or display behind glass doors

Keep dishes of candy or nuts well out of reach to avoid poisoning your pet

When selecting coffee or side tables, consider the height in relation to your pet, and choose rounded edges to avoid bumps and injuries

Use storage as a decorating element: keep treats and grooming items in cute ceramic jars, toys and chewies in cheery print fabric baskets

Set a bright washable rug under water and food dishes to sop up messes.

Have a “safe area ” inside for when your dog can’t run around outside An empty spare room or long hallway works great for playing fetch or “hunting” without fear of breaking things

Have dog beds made up of the same upholstery fabric you select for your furniture, or pick bed colors to coordinate

Have a pet door? Why not add a touch of whimsy with fun trim painted a cheery (coordinating or contrasting) color?

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Caption:

Caption: Andrea doing direct energy healing and communication work with Cherokee, an elder cougar with crippling arthritis at PrideRock Wildlife Refuge Cherokee has had little to no tolerance for women However from the beginning, she would not only accept Andrea's presence, she would crawl to get closer to Andrea for energy healing treatments. Cherokee is now somewhat tolerant of the women staff and volunteers