Design for the dogs

14 APRIL 28 • 2013 CATHY LEE
Design for the dogs
Want to protect your home and provide comfort for your pet? Try these canine-friendly
design ideas that will have your fuzzy sidekick feeling more at home
ogs are people too, of course.
They’re part of our family. Never
mind that sometimes they track
dirt in, drool on the furniture and make
mistakes. Why not give them the space
they rightfully deserve?
Here are some tips on how you can
make your home beautiful and pet-friendly
at the same time. Yes, I am talking about
doggie décor!
D
Flooring
If you’re going to build or remodel, take
your four-legged friend into consideration.
Carpet, especially looped carpet, is the
worst for dogs. It catches their nails and
retains odor and stains. If you need or want
to go with carpet, consider a low-pile one
that has a pattern to hide stains, or carpet
tiles that you can swap out.
Marble and travertine, no matter how
well they’re sealed, are porous and will
stain. Real hardwood flooring is beautiful,
but can be easily scratched by claws.
The most common-sense approach?
Ceramic tile, vinyl sheet or plank flooring.
They’re super-easy to clean and maintain.
14 • APRIL 28, 2013
Furniture
Have you considered slipcovers? There
are so many options out there. I’m not talking your grandma’s slipcovers. There are
modern and sleek looks, with geometric
prints. You can throw them in the wash.
If that’s not the route you want to go,
then opt for stain-resistant upholstery.
Leather and faux leather can work well. If
the choice is yours, look for Crypton, a synthetic fabric used in commercial spaces. I’ve
used this in beach houses and doctors’
offices.
There are great looks out there, and
Rover will be happy that you’re not yelling
at him to get off the couch all the time.
Paint
Although I am a huge fan of flat paint for
its sophisticated finish, if you have a large
dog who’s always running into walls, you
may want to consider semi-gloss. Yes, it will
have a little sheen, but it will be much easier to wipe down and you won’t feel a
need to repaint in a few months.
Finally, it’s important for dogs to have
their own sanctuary. A quiet corner with
their doggie bed and toys will let them
know they certainly are part of the family.
Recently we broke down and got my
daughter a puppy. Eight-month-old Raffles
is a poogle (poodle-beagle). And with me
as his mom, you know he has his own little
assortment of furniture, including a leopard
chaise lounge that he absolutely loves!
Raffles’s pal Mika, who’s always dressed
up, has lots of doggie beds as well.
If you want your dog to have his own
special place outside, there are options
beyond the typical doghouse. Architect
Geoffrey Lewis designed this masterpiece
as an auction item for Hanahauoli School. It
has metal roofing with a vent, and you can
pick it up and hose it down for easy maintenance. The frame is made of Douglas fir,
the sides are reclaimed fir and the roofing
is corrugated metal.
Geoff designed it with the pet in mind.
He wanted to give him a different perspective. So this doghouse has cool architectural details including a window — another
view from which to keep an eye on the
house.
There’s even a sign inside that reads,
“Man is a dog’s best friend.” It ended up
auctioning off for $1,700 — that’s no dog
kibble.
So I’ve given you little ideas and big ideas
on how to make your best friend feel right
at home. If you’re not quite ready to go
there, don’t forget their favorite spot of all
— right in your own bed with you!
Cathy Lee is president and designer of
Cathy Lee Style and Cathy's Marketplace, a
furniture and accessories showroom with
design services at 1110 University Ave. She
recently opened reStyle Hawaii, an affordable,
style-conscious consignment warehouse with
upholstering and repurposing services at 420
Keawe St. To find out more, go to
www.cathyleestyle.com.
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