The downside of sharing our homes with pets, of course, is dirt, hair and odors. How to keep things chic and clean and still have room for Spot?
Designers and manufacturers offer some ideas.
Liz Levin's experience with her own kids and pets led her to launch a design service, Liz Levin Nesting. Her advice? Color-coordinate with your pets.
"Flying fur's a reality. Unless you're prepared to stand guard with your vacuum 24/7, choose a color that blends with your pet. If you have a black Lab, for the sake of your sanity, don't pick a cream-colored sofa," she says.
Cats are difficult to train; better to just work around them. "Floor lamps with heavy bases. Glass tops for fragile finishes. And a good scratching post!" she counsels.
Pets sleep a lot — dogs about 13 hours, cats several more — so bedding is key.
"Most dogs like to stretch out on rectangular beds that keep their shape, with defined edges for hanging one's head over," says Julia Szabo, author of "Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot's Digs Stylish and Spotless" (Howell, 2009).
She recommends a polar-fleece, futon-style bed by Bowser "that's tufted, so the insides don't shift. Burrowing dogs, such as dachshunds, should have a small blanket they can snuggle under. Cats prefer a
Advertisement
round concave nest."
Beds should be away from drafty, high-traffic zones, which can disrupt rest and lead to health problems.
William Wegman, the photographer known for Weimaraner portraits, has designed a fun line of illustrated fabrics for pet beds.
The Crypton material is resistant to stains and odor.
Cool Bed III is a waterbed for dogs. Bowser's Buttercup cat nest has a drawstring to close it up snugly.
Want your pet's bed to blend into your décor?
Consider the Hardwood Hideaway, a side table with a door that opens to a sleeping spot.
Place it next to your bed or the living-room sofa; the door can be adjusted to allow pets independent access, and the piece is available in several finishes.
Bowser's Moderno chair is an upholstered chair that looks like a miniature Corbusier. Max Comfort's Gustavo pet sofa is a lounger with memory foam mattress.
Szabo says floor maintenance is another priority. Elevate your pets' food dishes if you can, for easier eating and less mess.
Moderntails.com has contemporary and classic dish styles.
Cats tend to prefer a wide, shallow dish that accommodates sensitive whiskers; OnlyNaturalPet.com has a smart recycled glass one.
Moppable surfaces like wood, bamboo and tile work best.
Carpet is necessary if you live in an apartment where the clicking of claws may disturb neighbors.
Flor's carpet tiles are easy to vacuum, lift up to wash and won't damage the floor.
Szabo, who writes a Pets column for The New York Post, notes several new technologies to help keep pets safe. General Motors is developing an alarm that will sound if you leave a pet or child in the car, she says.
No comments:
Post a Comment