Meet Otis. Here he is fresh from the groomer, perched on our flannel suede (a stain resistant microfibre) Gus Modern sofa, beside a felt Bev Hisey cushion. You wouldn’t know it but that cushion is indestructible. Otis attacks it nearly every day and it’s held up beautifully.
Living with an animal, I’ve come to realize that for him to be happy he’s going to dig, devour, rip open, knock over, run away with, or cover in muddy paw prints. And (breathe) it’s okay. It’s still possible to live stylishly with pets. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks and I thought I’d share them with you.
Skip the broadloom – Shedding, scratching, and visible stains are hazards in a home with wall-to-wall carpeting. On the other hand, areas rugs can protect hardwood floors and warm up a space. If you’re looking for a rug, opt for a flokati (durable, easy to clean wool), or a natural fibre like jute or sisal. Another affordable option is having a low pile remnant cut and bound for you.
Avoid flat finish paint – Flat finish paint is nearly impossible to clean; try to wipe off a dirty spot and some of the paint comes off as well. Semi-gloss is the easiest to wipe down, but its sheen will call attention to every irregularity on the wall. Satin or eggshell finishes are more elegant, and easy to clean.
Groom your pet – Regular brushing and bathing reduces the amount of hair and allergens in your home. Clean paws and short nails prevents walls and furniture from being marked up.
Colour match your pet – Still finding furballs everywhere? Your pet can be a source of inspiration when choosing colors for your room. Paint a concrete floor the same shade of gray as your cat. Cover your sofa in a honey microfiber that matches your golden retriever. This isn’t just an aesthetic shout-out to your pet; it’s also a practical choice because the hair they leave behind won’t be as visible.
Use stain resistant fabrics – When looking for easy to care for fabrics, many people think of leather, but there are other interesting options. Consider microfibres, denim (in white or a dark rinse for slipcovers), linens made with bamboo, or new options like cork.
Safety-proof your home - Move breakables from low tabletops and shelves. Remove poisonous plants, lock up chemicals, and organise your wires and cables. You might also want to install locks on low cabinets and add baby gates to cordon off any off-limits areas. You can learn more about pet-proofing here.
Treat your pet – It’s important to give your dog something to chew on, or he might go after a table leg. Rubber toys like the Kong are a good bet. Bark & Fitz carries Bodhi toys; including nontoxic doggie chews in organic shapes and fresh colours. For cats, Everyday Studio offers an array of items that are a chic alternative to homely carpet-covered scratching posts and plywood climbing trees. Another option that will allow your cat to get out her inner panther stylishly: shelves to perch on.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Great post Laura! When I was first adjusting to life with two Scottie dogs I was told that I could have an immaculate home OR I could have dogs. Sadly, it’s true.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for a great post Laura. Joey & I are the overlord and overlady of our two humans and thankfully, when we said “slipcover everything”, they listened.
Slipcovers, of course, do not solve all of life’s conundrums (conundra?) but they are a step in the right direction … especially with two humans lurching around on 2 legs.
Absurd!
August 10th, 2008 at 3:51 am
A couple of years ago, I found myself in the position of having 4 new *YOUNG* dogs ranging in size from 30 lbs to 124 lbs. It was clear we had to redecorate to accommodate the family. We tore out all the carpeting and acid washed the cement floors (actually, it is the foundation) with 4 different colors from Kemeko. It took a long time to dry with that many coats on it, but it looks great (like a huge slab of natural smooth stone)and unlike every other product on the market, it doesn’t scratch nor does it require grout lines that need cleaning. Clean ups are so easy. And we have a roomba that does daily cleaning to pick up the chunks of things that stick to dogs. We started out with microfiber furniture, but have recently returned to leather couches – they are just easier to maintain. The dining room chairs we selected are from Ikea, as they have a variety of different colors and styles which are easily available. When the pups were young and still having the occasional accidents, we had sisal area rugs. We could haul them out into the driveway and give them a good scrub down and air dry. Now that that we have dog doors installed, we have replaced the sisal with lovely wool and oriental rugs. The dog door going first into the garage and then into the house from the garage has cut down on the quantity of dust, dirt and debris that gets tracked into the house too) despite uber-short summer haircuts for the 4 footed members of the family. Now the only issue, is keeping the nose prints off the glass. Otherwise, I think we finally figured out how to live in style with furries.