does anyone know the artists of the two pieces hanging on the wall in the 2nd picture, re: storing dogs toys in wicker baskets...re: Ashley Darryl, interior designer? Any insight would be appreciated!!!!
A cowhide rug? Ugh! It was a mitzvah for your dog to cause it to be taken out of circulation. It’s pretty much the same as one of those dried pig’s ears, only with hair left on and rolled out thinner. Ugh....
Oh yes I have a rug that exactly matches my cats fur no matter that one is a Lynx-point Siamese and the other a long-haired oriental tortoise shell with a touch of smoke.
A few years ago, we went from a big old farmhouse to a new, much smaller house. New houses should be quite air tight, with mechanical ventilation. Typically, clean air from outside is delivered to living rooms and bedrooms, and stale air is exhausted from bathrooms and kitchens. Our solution to the cat litter issue was to design in a 4' wide by 2' high and 2' deep cubbyhole inset into a wall in the utility room with a dedicated exhaust port. No litter odor!
1
As someone with 3 dogs and 4 cats, I have fallen in love with FLOR carpet tiles. They're attractive, don't budge when the terriers are running around the house, and they are incredibly easy to clean after mishaps. I just take it to the sink and use soap and water. And, if the mishap is really bad, that square can just be replaced. We still have a few antique Persian rugs in the house, but all the high traffic areas are covered in FLOR. They're just brilliant.
After our cat peed on the microfiber couch cushions (that couch went to the curb immediately) we have stuck with leather couches. I can live with some inevitable scratches, but I cannot handle lying down for a nice nap only to find a wet cushion.
The dogs have toy baskets on all three levels of the house. They have too many toys bought by an indulgent mother. But I switch the toys around every so often, so they'll find Lambie and Froggie on different floors than when they left them. They seem to become more interested in the toys when I do that (and less interested in destroyed my things).
5
I couldn't live here without my Corgis. They're a bit of work as they shed copiously twice a year. That means vacuuming at least every other day at those times. They pretty much sleep where they want. One likes the corner in a "L" couch arrangement covered with a faux fur blanket. The other likes to sleep on the tiles in the kitchen (two places) the downstairs bathroom and in front of the window in the den. Corgis are weird, most of them sleep upside down on their backs.
Toys are in two boxes but you can see them almost everywhere.
I guess you could say we cater to them. The house could be neater but considering that they live here too it's OK. They have a big fenced back yard that I clean up every week (they have to "go" somewhere)
The pleasure we get from them makes the work easy. They "check in" several times a day just to have us pet and play with them. Belly rubs are demanded.
There's a sign on the door about hair. If it bothers you don't come in. The dogs live here you don't.
10
We recently adopted a rescue dog after two years without a pet. We were lucky to get a sweet 8 year old chihuahua mix. We don't allow our pets on the furniture, but he has a soft, comfy dog bed in almost every room of our house. When we go from one room into another, he will follow and jump straight into the bed with a chew toy happy as a clam.
We are lucky to have found him.
8
Why on earth did the title of this article include cats? Except for the odd throw away suggestion it has no useful advice for cat owners. Bummer.
21
I’d love to know who the artist is who painted that gorgeous painting of Mr Espinoza’s dog—that’s the best dog portrait I’ve ever seen...
4
A dog crate in the kitchen? Do you also lock your kids in a closet when you go out? I've had dogs and cats my entire 60 years and have never locked up a pet when not home.
25
In general I agree. I've shared my life with many dogs and they've never been crated. The one exception was my newest dog, Badger, an Australian cattle dog. I crated her at night right from the start, and in retrospect it was the best decision I could ever have made. It meant nights of disturbed sleep initially because she was only 8 weeks old when I got her. At the first whimper I would get up and take her outside to relieve herself. The first night I think I got up four times. After that it was two or three times, until within a few weeks we were both sleeping right through. And she only once had an "accident" inside the house. It was when she was very young. She was running around and got over-excited. Badger is hyperactive. None of us would get any sleep if she was allowed to wander around at night at will. It's just her nature. My other Australian cattle dog was different. But Badger loves her crate. It's covered in hessian, there's a large and very gorgeous purple-leafed oxalis sitting on top, not too much of an eyesore. For her it's her safe place, her dog cave, and she adores it. She knows there's always a treat waiting for her when she goes inside. It gives her the rest that her otherwise restless nature wouldn't allow and, when my other dogs were still alive, stopped her from bothering them. So I don't think there's a blanket answer. She's outside during the day, but if there's a violent thunderstorm I put her in her crate and she feels safe.
3
For CATS: On couch use velvets or microfibers. Leather/Faux leather can work, but some cats are attracted to the smell of real leather & faux is hard to fix if damaged. Think smooth if you want wovens: I used a tight acrylic linen by Sunbrella for chairs with success. For rugs or throws, avoid loose, looped or ‘turkish’ knots. Get samples when possible and test by dragging small nail scissors across the surface - if you can catch a thread, know a cat claw can do the same. Note that new, cheap wool rugs can still have an animal smell that is very attractive to marking/scratching. Think high knots per inch and low/thin piles. Buy some offset rug scissors so you can trim loose threads before they become holes. Chilewich rugs and some kinds of FLOR tiles are also great options, cats can't dig into them and they are easy to clean if marked. Cats have a physical need to reach up and scratch/stretch so you must give them alternatives. Get a tall scratching post and cover it in catnip spray. Reward with treats when you catch them using it. On wood surfaces, avoid high gloss finishes — when cats jump, they can accidentally scratch the finish with their back legs. Think about glass tops for protection. Secure items on bookshelves with museum putty. Wicker or grass baskets are too appealing to scratching- try wire, felt or woven leather. Don’t install real grasscloth or sisal wallpaper - the faux alternatives are getting better all the time!
7
Nice for people who have enough money to decorate in the first place. I gave up on having anything really nice years ago. Everything in the house is essentially a cat bed, even tho there's only two of them! I use lots of inexpensive but pretty (and washable!) blankets, fitted sofa covers that can be tossed after a while, and—ugly, but it works— aluminum foil on the corners of chairs and sofas, which they don't like to claw, that you can remove when company comes.
I like the comment about training kittens. Good idea. Even if you get animals from the shelter that are a bit older, you can still usually get them to alter destructive behavior to some degree. If you're lucky. . .
8
Cat condos are great for entertaining all the indoor kitties!
1
When I got my cat as a kitten I had already bought a scratching post. The moment she began to scratch anything else I brought her to the post. It only took a few times to train her. Five years later I still have beautiful furniture. Yes, she sheds. But that's easy. TRAIN your cat. It's possible.
10
We have two cats who use scratching boxes, and with one exception, leave the furniture alone. But they are both resistant to having their nails trimmed, and so chasing each other across our leather sofa has left scratch marks. The male gets excited during play and holds onto the leather ottoman as he drags himself around the floor. We are contemplating concrete further in the future.
3
Good God!...all these "decorators" telling you how to decorate w/animals in the house....they all lock up their dogs in crates when they leave their homes?!!! That's how they REALLY keep things in order?...most normal & caring dog owners don't lock up their dogs for the day! It causes tremendous stress both psychological & physical to the animal. My pets have freedom to go wherever, & so what if when I get home something happened. So what?! It's not the end of life as we know it. Decorators, do animals a favor, let carefree, normal humans adopt & just stick to your "perfect" world all by yourselves!
34
Some dogs get to like their crates. Some of our friends leave the door open and the dog goes in there to nap. The doors are never closed even when they go out. You have to start with the crating when they are puppies. You can close the door until they are house trained.
If you live in a house and have a fenced back yard consider putting a pet door. My dogs can go in and out freely so we don't have to play doorman all the time.
2
Choose a color that matches the color of the dogs coat! Now I’ve heard it all.
Just enjoy the dog and know that matching your dog to your furnishings is just plain crazy. If this is important to you, consider getting a life.
14
Sorta like having small, active, ambulatory small children, 'tho cats (missing in is article...) are easier, IMHO...
5
I saw a story on dog owners on Remodelista and have ordered a similar pet-proof carpet from Home Depot - Follow Up Carpet by Traffic Masters in "Chelsea." Creative director Matthew Axe carpeted his whole house in this stuff and it looks great. See "Quite Please, A Stylish Apartment in Bustling Jackson Heights, Queens" at remodelista.com.
3
Ultrasuede is a miracle fabric as far as I'm concerned. It's 100% polyester but it looks like suede. It washes with soap and water and once a year I have cleaned professionally. I have two sofas covered in it that I've had for 15 years and they still look as new as the day I purchased them. My dog sleeps on all of our furniture. I also swear by Sunbrella indoor outdoor fabric. It is come along way in the past 10 years. And of course if you have a pet a big supply of Natures Miracle is a must. Spray it on a stain and it gets rid of almost anything.
11
Before you adopt your dog, pick a breed or type that will work with your requirements. My Newfoundland would pretty much leave everthing alone - and not that much hair if groomed. However, my young Aussie would have lots of fun with the easy to reach decorations and books. Not all breeds are ideal apartment pets regardless of exercise and training.
7
That paisley rug camouflages "stains"? Do those basset hounds poop in pastels?
15
Bedsheets dedicated to my cats, cover all my furniture. These sheets get washed weekly, in their own separate wash.
A Modko litter box is not just elegant, but a work of art unto itself. Keeps litter box odors in, greatly cuts down on loose/tracked litter on the floor nearby, and guests don't have to 'see' your litter box or its contents. (Guests often ask at a certain point '...where do you keep your litter box?', not realizing it's right there out in the open!
A tasteful simple sisal scratching post helps keeps cats away from furniture.
Electronic 'scat mats' (kept on the Low battery option) work wonders as well, at keeping cats off of certain furniture. I tested the scat mats on myself first, to ensure and understand that it does not 'hurt' the cats..it just feels like static electricity...like when you take a blanket out from the dryer etc.
I run a Vornado air purifier 24/7, and it most definitely reduces stray pet hair in the air. (The filter is always visibly covered with cat hair...)
7
Good ideas for people who spend money on their home decor and live with dogs. As someone who lives with cats, I find many of the suggestions work in my house as well. Using outdoor fabrics for upholstered furniture pieces is a wonderful solution for living with animals, children and adults prone to dropping wine glasses; there are terrific fabric patterns available these days. For the budget minded, it is easy to use chairs and sofas made for the outdoors as indoor furniture; the cushions are nearly impossible for a cat to scratch and can be replaced if they are damaged or you just want a change of color or design. Many styles of outdoor chairs mimic the style of traditional indoor chairs in brightly colored metal finishes which are wonderful for those who love modern design.
Cats love to sleep on high places, but the tops of bookcases or china cabinets work as well as the carpeted cat condo and can be reached by stacking cubes or using vintage step stools.
I do cover my leather couches with water-proof (hairball and urine) Mambe blankets, the only truly liquid proof pet cover I have found.
Litter boxes are an issue for many reasons. Investing in excellent odor controlling air cleaners is worth every penny when one has cats or any pet. The only automated litter box I have found which actually minimizes odor among other benefits is the Litter Robot which is expensive and too big to hide. Indoor cats require indoor plumbing so no apologies for keeping them in sight.
9
Lynda: THANK YOU for mentioning Mambe blankets; I'd never heard of them before but have looked at their website & their products seem like exactly what I need to cover my bed & sofa to keep pet hair OUT of my bedding & upholstery.
Once again, the comment section comes to the rescue! I got more useful information from your comment than I did from the article!
11
I buy nice furniture and then cover it with old throws. My house always looks like the dogs' den. I guess it is.
7
I have a new sofa a chair, both pieces are nice but with cats covered with cheap stretchable slip covers until guest arrive.
5
Your cats are covered with cheap stretchable slip covers?
4
Don't worry. I live in one too. Just tell the guest to wear old clothes when they come over.
1
I can only speak for cats, but can assure you, there is no greater fun than living with them in a house with a large garden, surrounded by vineyards and forest.
Cats own the house, they are the real proprietors. Humans have to arrange themselves with them. And they are sharpening their claws. This happens sometimes so fast that there is no time to intervene. They are the boss.
When the weather turns nice in summer it is time to sleep outside, either in the garden or, more preferred, at the border of the forest. To come back then at 2 a. m. in the night and meowing so loud outside your sleeping room window that you are standing straight in your bed is also a normal feature you have to get accustomed too. Also to stay away for up to three days is normal. But keep always food in their trays. This is very important for cats. You are being judged for keeping up this permanent service. Be respectful to choose the correct cat food because not every stuff will be eaten. And they are fond of fresh water.
15
@Peter Germany:
Sounds ideal for any "Black Forest Feline" to romp around and explore.
2
I do indeed feel that my cat judges me, daily.
5
Your cats have cousins in California
2
I walk my Great Dane twice a day, and I'm healthier and fully entertained while sharing him with adults and children of all ages and size. In terms of household damage, the score is 1 to 0, and I've put the score on the board. Returning to exercise, the duster, mop and vacuum add a third "exercise period" for me. There is no solution to fur, foot prints and moisture on the floor (and walls) just a near daily, Sisyphean task-happily performed. Dino is content to supervise.
12
I have four pets and my house is immaculate. My best advice is to be a minimalist, always use washable linens, sofa slipcovers, and rugs, and keep a lint roller/fur remover, floor vacuum, and mop on hand.
15
3 pieces of cat advice: 1. Buy microfiber furniture--for some reason they don't like to sharpen their claws on it; 2. Faux leather is another good material to discourage clawing, though sharp claws may eventually cause little knicks which expose the lining when they walk on it; 3. Keep the house smelling fresher by putting inverted plastic food tub lids on their food dishes. These are light enough that they can push them off with their noses and the food stays fresher and smells stay confined longer.
10
“Consider the color of your pet’s fur when deciding on a color scheme." FFS, who does this? I'd rather see where the fur is so I can vacuum it off rather than have it be "less obvious." I have 4 cats. None of them match my drapes. I guess I'm a terrible decorator.
17
I feel the same way about granite/marble countertops/floors. call me crazy, but to me they just mask the spills and dirt. give me a solid color I can see the mess, and clean it.
1
My cat ruined a leather chair. Used the arms for scratching posts. But, I love the cat more than I love the chair, so c'est la vie. That's why God made throws.
49
I only use "recycled leather" to reupholster my couches as my yellow lab, golden retriever and Bichon cannot destroy or dirty things as they play merrily throughout my house!!! Just a wipe with a damp cloth! No pillows as retrievers love to carry them around in their mouths like trophies and then of course they end up with holes from those canines!
5
That's how dog toys get replaced. Corgis will patiently chew out the stitches one at a time to get at the squeakers. They don't play with toys without them. Then they like to rip out all the stuffing. When they get too torn up to hold the stuffing I stop pushing it in and throw it away. Time to go to Chewy.com and get new ones. We also get all the food for the Corgis and my adopted cats that were my mother in law's before her Alzheimers got too bad. Free shipping and a great selection.
Cats can get Diabetes and it causes rear hip displasia. I give them insulin shots twice a day. Unlike humans Neuropathy in cats can be healed by eliminating their sugar intake, no grain content food is a must.
Another plug for Chewy.com: When I canceled a standing order for my own cat I explained that she had passed away. They sent us flowers the same day and a card. Very nice people and a pleasure to do business with.
Slipcovers are the answer. My ivory colored sofa slipcovers are so well made that if one did not search for zippers, they would never appear to be slipcovers. The sofas get vacumned once a week and then the slipcovers can be washed whenever needed. This idea has worked perfectly through two dogs and now a cat and just regular living with light colored sofas.
19
I agree-there's no other way to go!
6
@Anne: Brava, but that is a huge amount of work!
1
The washing machine does the work! And vacuuming the sofas only takes ten minutes each. I don't think that is a huge amount of work!
1
So many photos of dogs. As a cat lover I have to ask, what - no felines?
38
No special hints and advice for cat owners? What about photos of cats lounging around on cat-proofed furniture?
33
There is no such thing as cat-proofed furniture!
8
One tip - have a yard if you have dogs or cats, they are meant to be outdoors. Another - have a housecleaner who comes in several times a week. I did like the tip about rugs that can be hosed down, accidents do happen. And finally, a lot of these tips apply to toddlers as well. Pets and toddlers often make good companions.
3
Cats are not meant to be outdoors! Outdoor cats have a significantly shorter lifespan (even if they still have their claws).
27
Wnen cats are allowed outdoors, birds have a significantly shorter lifespan. Keep your cats indoors for the sake of all wildlife.
17
If you can afford, and want the bother of, a housecleaner "several times a week." Is your home really that dirty? And your cat is meant to be outside only if you want him or her dead sooner rather than later -- or have a safe, fenced-in catio.
11
Even the best behaved cat will periodically through up a hairball. No one who has lived with cats would ever buy a sisal rug. Imagine cleaning barf out of all those nooks and crannies.
And those of us who live in the real world (e.g., not on the Upper West side) aren't likely to use a $500 throw to keep cat fur off a chair.
62
My thoughts exactly (as a cat owner). And you need throws (or blankets) that can be easily washed, because they will NEED washing weekly if you have the kind of pet who sheds -- anything dry clean-only is ridiculous, unless you're a Wall Street billionaire.
11
"Performance fabrics"?
Do they sing, dance, or fly through the air with the greatest of ease?
39
Every rug I own is an antique persian rug and they hide all sorts of sins. I suppose most of these rugs were originally the floor of a tent somewhere, so my dogs are not going to destroy them. There is no piece of furniture in my home that means as much to me as my darling rescued English Bull Terriers. Actually since my dogs are glued to me most of the time (I telecommute), they are unlikely to damage anything. Dogs who are left alone are more likely to cause mischief.
29
every rug I own is an antique Persian rug too. But my two cats have decided that one of those carpets is 'theirs' and it must be destroyed. ugh.
1
By the way, forgot to add re: my 'cat sheets' that cover all my furniture... when I am entertaining guests at my home, I simply remove the cat sheets from the furnitrue before my guests arrive, and voila, clean furniture with no pet smells or pet hair. (I really find it rather rude when pet owners allow their pets all over their furniture, and then expect guests to have no problem with it...with sitting on furniture that smells of pets and has hair all over it. Sure, you may consider your pet to be 'family', and have no problem sleeping with them etc. But that doesn't mean I should be fine with your pet slobbering all over me, getting their hair all over my clothes, etc.
13
Sheets or drop clothes or old blankets -- any of these work well, since you can launder them quickly and easily. But then of course, your rooms won't look stylish or chic! except for briefly when guests arrive. The time to think of all this is BEFORE you bring home that pet -- know your limits and your priorities. And I'd like to add: cats are extremely clean (though most shed!) and have no real odor. But dogs have a sort of "doggy smell" that the owner may go nose-blind to, but any visitor will notice immediately. This seems worse in large dogs. The only cure is to keep the dog WASHED, and perhaps with a deodorizing shampoo. Otherwise that doggy odor will be imparted to every upholstered piece of furniture and nothing will get the smell out.
2
You just 'think' there's no pet smell. Those of us with cats and dogs have gone 'nose blind' to them. Come back after a week away and your place smells like you live in a pet store no matter what you do.
2
You choose if the dog is allowed on the furniture. If not, fabric choice is not an issue. My dog is only allowed on a chaise which is covered with a washable throw. He knows he can't go up there unless the throw is in place (such a good boy!). Everything else is off limit, so no issues (we have a white couch). We did make some design choices based on our dog. We designed our kitchen cabinets to hide the dog dishes in a lower cabinet (so there is nothing to trip over), and we did opt for wood look tile floors for our after our first dog marred our wood floors with his claws (just from joyful running around). As for puppies, well...like babies there is a certain period of time where you will need to puppy proof your home. Fortunately, they mature quicker than human children and you can soon put out your nice things (if you have trained your dog well).
7
I wish you well trying to mix dogs with a white sofa.
3
Anyone contemplating getting a puppy should know that for at least until the puppy is one year old, you are going to be living through accidents and misbehaviors that the baby dog can't fully control. Puppies chew, puppies have bathroom accidents, and puppies don't know all the rules. They have lots of energy. After the first birthday, the dog will begin to mellow out and get better at following your rules.
If you can't remain patient with your baby dog until it gets past puppyhood, consider getting an older dog.
50
You lost me with the pic of the dog on the WHITE chair. Sister, please.
54
And a dog with mostly black fur! Good lord! a puppy! that's pretty much a death wish (for the chair). No throw is going to contain the shedding from what appears to be a young border collie or bernese mountain dog pup -- they have dense double coats, and will shed most of the year. And that throw looks like it requires dry cleaning. Oh boy. I hope that owner liked vacuuming, and has their upholsterer on speed dial.
8
We have "tumbleweeds" of Corgi hair that move around when you walk by them. They shed twice a year and you have to vacuum every other day.
I thought it was thier homes and we were the staff?
48
Dogs have owners, cats have staff.
18
Dogs have best friends, cats have staff.
9
Dogs are our best friends, cats are our equals.
4
Not one picture of a cat? A disgrace, I tell you!
78
And no ferrets as well. Wait, are they still illegal pets in NYC? I remember Guiliani had raved against poor ferret owners years ago.
I agree with you Mr. Bolton. To be honest, not one of my many cats would belittle themselves to be included in a photo op much less an article about dogs and decorating. They truly believe that kind of fluff is beneath them.
4
Slightly dog-centric? You might want to remove "Cats" from the title.
Or maybe write another article.
71
IMHO -- as someone who has both cats and a dog -- they present different challenges and need two different sets of recommendations. Cats CLAW things, and my cats have destroyed so much good furniture, I can't hardly talk about it without weeping. You can buy the fanciest scratching posts and toys, and the cat will find pure glee in sharpening its claws on your fine oriental rug or newly upholstered sofa.
Dog are more likely to chew stuff, especially puppies, and have "accidents". I had a young dog once, who (bored alone at home) chewed through the struts on all 6 of my dining room chairs. Some dogs like to chew up pillows. Depending on breed, they can shed heavily and if not washed regularly, dogs have a natural sort of odor that transfers to furniture & bedding. A home that smells "doggy" is very off-putting to guests, and the owner can have gone "nose-blind" to this.
Unless you're a hedge fund billionaire....having throws or blankets that require constant dry cleaning would be an absolute nightmare.
4
Another possibility is to choose friends who understand the pets are actually living things, and don't expect your house to appear as if you only have stuffed animals.
90
"Dogs and Cats and Decorating..."
Come on NYTimes, WHERE ARE THE CATS?
8 photos and not a single feline in sight.... sheesh!
95
They're some place clawing and in complete control of the situation.
11
This article is dumb. What about the cats who scratch the you know what out of everything?
22
The worst -- most costly -- and most damaging destruction done to my home, including precious antiques, has been done by CATS -- not dogs. They have utterly destroyed two antique sofas that I loved, and had reupholstered at significant cost and this despite every imaginable cat toy, scratching post, regular nail trims, throws and those sprays that are supposed to keep kitty away. Also constantly screaming "no! bad! bad kitty!"
With dogs, it's mostly a question of shedding and needing to vacuum, and of course, puppies can chew up anything. But in my experience, the actual destruction is far worse with cats.
2
Cats can wreck your stuff, but dogs can wreck your house. I've been renting out my beautifully-restored old house for ten years now as I work overseas, and the amount of time and money I've spent trying to fix dog damage (destroyed plantings, chewed woodwork, scratched doors and floors, etc.) is horrific. I'll take a cat any day.
3
Furniture and rugs all look better with a dog or cat in/on them.
72
I have two gorgeous 25-lb. tuxedo cats who shed on a daily basis and claw just about everything that doesn't move or claw them first. I would love to get some decorating tips with them in mind. I have bought them cat trees and scratching posts which they mostly ignore except to climb them. I've come to the conclusion that I can always replace a sofa, headboard, or rug, but I can't replace them; however, a tip or two would have been appreciated nevertheless.
34
Velvet and microfiber are the two fabrics cats can't destroy. The weave is too tight to pull. Get a cotton velvet cover for the couch made. Ridge St. Upholstery is good at that.
Also, cats need really tall and sturdy sisal trees to scratch. Ours is 36 inches high with a big base. They won't scratch if it feels flimsy. Use catnip. You can also cut a sisal door mat and wrap around a pole or corner.
10
Your cats sound like pieces of art themselves. ;) We have two Maine Coons at present, had tabbies through the years, and furniture problems consistently. Scratching pads and posts have worked only so so, but one thing that attracts them is carpet remnants. We leave them in strategic places (where they often spend time). Thick pieces seem especially satisfying for them to claw and, as a bonus, are fun props for playing.
There are sprays which are harmless to everyone, and smell innocuous to us, but are off-putting to cats, like bitter apple, with which you can douse spots you really want them to leave be (but you have to do that often).
Our main carpeting is caramel colored, as it helps conceal stains from cat puke. Same with the chair covers.
We put little towels on our beds (they can sleep wherever), which entice the cats and helps keep fur and claws from the comforters.
Plants are either hanging or atop bookcases and cabinets. Otherwise, disaster ensues.
I hope you find something that helps! As you concluded, pets mean more than do furnishings.
22
We have two cats: Tommy scratches, Rabbit does not. We have found success with the Comfort Zone Feliway Cat Calming Diffuser. It's a plug-in that is replaced once a month. It's least expensive at Amazon, but it's in pet stores, too.
In the eight months we've been using it, Tom has completely stopped ripping the house up. He's calmer, and so are we.
Hope this helps!
11
A red and white striped braided rug is effective at hiding messes? Maybe if the mess is red and white striped.
And red felt on a chair? Felt is one of the most clingy fabrics around, where dust and hair is concerned. Again, this may work is the dog has fire engine red fur.
I appreciate most of the suggestions, but some reality would be nice also...
35
a very wise decorator suggested that I purchase additional fabric for my couch to make a loose cover for my sofa. The dry cleaner hemmed it on all for sides. The fabric covered the seat cushions and the sofa back. I could just have it dry cleaned when it needed it, and it was unobtrusive enough that I didn't have to take it off between cleanings.
17
This is a great suggestion, and one I plan to use. I'd have to have mine cover the arms, too, since my basset hound likes to rest his head there. Now I put a fitted queen size sheet over the entire couch when I am not home. It works, but it's not cute.
3
I thought the primary focus of this article was the art of decorating one’s living space without the nuisance of owning a cat or a dog getting in the way. Cats and dogs have always been treated as loving, respected and equal family members. Our house was never a museum, we protected our furniture will various covers, and never had a problem picking up their toys on a daily basis. We knew that loving and caring for a pet required patience, (a lot of patience), and tolerance.
Our house is always clean, neat and lived in. On many an occasion, friends and guests would tell us how much they enjoyed our “warm, inviting and loving home”.
I loved the photos in this article (especially the black and white terrier on the Bunny Williams throw - too adorable) and some of the suggestions given were extremely practical.
Maybe it’s just me, but folks who come to visit us, also come to visit our cats and dog. Our animals are part of the family in every sense of the word. They are part of our “decorating scheme and pattern” – Early American Labrador and Modern American Short Hair Tabby.
54
I wouldn't have any other rug than a Liora Manne Lamontage. They are available in felted wool or polypropylene, totally cleanable/washable. I have bought, used, cleaned and discarded a number of rugs over the years until I decided Lamontage is worth the high cost, for the longest lasting beauty and durability.
I buy cheap but colorful sheets to cover the family room couch and my bed. They get washed each week along with the other laundry. Milk crates store the toys they just can't seem to do without.
14
That works fine, if you are OK with your house looking as if it is continually covered in drop cloths. I am guessing this article is aimed at fashionistas who wish to combine their pets with stylish, new furniture and white upholstery.
3
It was the norm for humans to live with their animals back in the Dark Ages and you didn't want your pig to be stolen.
That was then, this is now.
In my neighborhood the number of dogs being walked is averaging 3 per human. Worse, rather than training their dogs to poop in the back yard and THEN go play in the park, the owners have them poop in the public space as if that is normal.
No. I don't have an animal.
No dogs. No cats.
I love my Turkish and Navajo rugs and I love that my house doesn't smell and that I KNOW it is clean.
All of this is "choice".
I "choose" to live a more uncomplicated life.
Try it.
You might like it.
No plastic bags needed.
9
I have beautiful Persian rugs that do just fine with a dog in the house. He's house-trained, of course, so no worry about that.
I share your chagrin with idiots who leave their dog's poop in the park. We always carry bags and never, never leave it. Sometimes clean up after other people's dogs, but it gets tiresome.
There are loads of ways to complicate our lives. For me, a dog is worth every bit of it -- but then, we live pretty simply otherwise.
31
I have valuable rugs including a large silk one, plus 3 cats. Easy to tell them "No!" if they pluck and scratch when young. They learn fast, and want to please me. I'd rather live in a barn than be without my 3 best friends.
28
Like Rosa, I know what I'm missing: allergies, the noise, messes, smells, the expense. I can sniff out a pet in someone's home as soon as I walk in...no matter how clean it may look. Any one who says their home doesn't have pet smells is , as the saying goes, "nose blind." I worked several year for a real estate agent, visiting hundreds of homes on the market. The nose knows.
2
Cats?
50
Exactly, what about cats? This article might as well have been exclusively written for dog owners with a quick side-mention of cats to be polite.
34
Many years ago, I wrote a quarterly column for our Breed Club's newsletter on just this - decorating with dogs. I mentioned all the ideas in this article plus one more.
One can buy faux sheepskin (dog people call them "fuzzies" by the yard, and have covers made for bottom cushions on sofas and chairs. They can have Velcro closings so they can be taken off quickly when guests are coming or to wash. They wash beautifully and last for years. They're really quite attractive and far easier to keep tidy than a throw, which quickly becomes a wadded up dog or cat bed.
10
Mice and rats may be small, but they suffer and feel pain and fear just as our beloved cats and dogs do. There is no excuse for using torture devices like glue traps. I applaud the many airports that have banned these cruel traps and hope many others follow suit.
29
What the heck does this have to do with decorating with pets (dogs and cats)?
41
I was wondering about that myself.
7