A Romp Through Materials

A Romp Through Materials

World, meet Chewie. Chewie is my preferred chow chow–German shepherd mix in the world. However, as much as I really like my rescued best friend, having him around generally means continuous shedding, some drooling and more than a few lost pillows. Sound familiar?

Having Chewie has forced me to contemplate how to make coexisting under precisely the same roof more of a nice experience than a dreadful chore. And all it took was picking some clever materials for our townhome. Below is some advice I wish I had had before committing to my long-term relationship with my puppy. Let us dig.

Katya Popova

Hello, Chewie!

WA Design Architects

Let us begin at the bottom: the flooring. Our townhome has hardwood flooring, and I’ve wanted on more than 1 occasion that they were concrete rather. This is especially true for homeowners who are thinking about a pup, because many messes come along with potty training.

Cornerstone Architects

Another great floor substance for puppy training? Natural stone — though be aware that porous materials, like marble, can stain. So choose wisely what kind of stone you install.

BROWN DAVIS INTERIORS, INC..

Porcelain tile is a wonderful alternative to natural stone. To achieve this complicated and clean appearance, make sure the grout lines are minimal. Additionally, be prepared for countless hours of entertainment offered by your pet’s inability.

MW|Works Architecture+Design

Hardwood flooring can work. Just know that if your pet reaches maturity, you may have to refinish those beautiful boards. Luckily, with hardwood flooring, you can always depend on intact wood under the scratched surface.

Laminate is a practical way to escape the extensive care of hardwood. It maintains the appearance when offering a virtually indestructible play surface for your best friend.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

For a softer option, you can always choose carpeting. Only be prepared — it will take some vacuuming to maintain that freshly installed appearance.

Supon Phornirunlit / Nude Decor

If you want a more practical option for carpeting, then you can choose carpet tiles. Minor accidents (bound to happen) can be remedied by replacing individual tiles instead of an whole floor of carpets. I talk from experience.

maison21

I’d have thought a cowhide would be one of the final options for floor treatments in a home with pets. In me, the cowhide within my home is just one of the very practical decisions I have ever made. Its texture naturally repels dog and cat hair. This interior takes complete benefit of the cowhide’s beauty and durability.

When it comes to furniture, my advice would be to go for a low-maintenance fabric. I have not found a powerful way of keeping my dogs away from the couch (have you?) , and every day I’m grateful for my lucky decision to purchase a microfiber sofa. Microfiber is one of the most forgiving upholstery fabrics; it cleans up with fantastic ease.

Robert Granoff

Perhaps an even better option for furniture is leather, especially for dogs. You can simply wash it clean and be done.

Tell us What materials have you used in your home to assist you with your own pet-related chores? How does owning pets affect your choice of decor and furniture? Please share below!

More:
The Dog Days of Interior Design?
Pets: 50 Design-Loving Dogs
Doghouses Worth a Wag: Report from Barkitecture 2011

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