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Wednesday, May 16th, 2018
Rachael Ray Home by Legacy Classic Furniture Accessories Dog Bed with Cushion
Have you ever given a thought as to why your family owns a dog, cat, rabbit or caged lovebirds? If you’re a parent, then you can attest to the love that children show to their pets. Large or small, these animals offer companionship to everyone in the family, hence, they deserve to share your home with you.
When you’re just about to buy a pet, then you know that there are many things to consider before you take home that fur baby. First you need to ask yourself whether you’re ready for the daily exercise, cleaning routines, and feeding schedules that you’re about to sign up to.
If you believe that you have these all figured out, then it’s time to consider how the pet(s) will affect your habitat. Would you like to share your home to a furry friend and make this experience a harmonious one?
Learn to Customize
You’re about to add some Day-Glo beds and some paw print designs. Whatever theme you end up choosing for your furry one, be sure to prioritize its comfort. A blanket box can be easily converted to the new cat bed while kitchen drawers can become the feeding station. You can get creative as you welcome your home’s newest member.
Be Sure to Match
Match what, you might ask. Take a very careful look throughout your home then find out what needs to be changed. If you want to take home a black dog then you should not dwell with the pale surroundings. It’s time to shop around for the color that will match or at least best conceal the fur of your incoming family member.
Pick a Flexible Sofa
Remember that dogs and cats love to get up to their master’s couch. These furry creatures will surely keep trying to go up your seat. You may want to rethink that leather couch decision and go for the distressed look for now.
Many pet owners can attest to the durability of micro fiber textiles and Sunbrella. Such textiles are a lot easier to clean and they also wear so well.
Feature ‘Em
Fish tanks are now a pretty addition to a living area. They’re not just the home for your pet fish but also an amazing decorative element that does not even try so hard to be noticed. The right size and style of aquarium could even become the focal point in a room.
Be Mindful
You are taking home a family friend or a family member so it is best to pick a spot where the bird or the cat can dwell without having to suffer from scented candle aromas, cooking fumes, and such. Even cigarette smoke can be fatal to many birds so be careful in setting up the cage.
The Importance of Vacuum
You would soon regard the vacuum as your new best friend. This is best used for feathers and fur that are sticking onto the carpet, area rug and the couch. There are now pet vacuums that come with modified accessories. These come with extra suction power as well as filtration systems that are made especially for fur or feather cleanup.
If the vacuum comes with a bag, be sure to pop in a moth ball or a wool ball that’s infused with a drop or two of essential oils.
Expect Scratches
If you have hardwood flooring, then you cannot expect your life to be sublime. You will see scratching as the months and years pass so it is best to cover the areas that you wouldn’t want to be damaged. Use porcelain tiles that come in a wooden style so that you’d still have the ingrained effect minus the skids and scratches.
Tags: interior design for pets, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pet interior design, pet-friendly home
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Decorative Elements, Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Is Your Home Pet-friendly?
Tuesday, February 20th, 2018
This cat is surely lounging peacefully on the Hooker Furniture Dining Room True Vintage Upholstered Arm Chair.
Have you ever wondered whether your home will ever look stylish again? You could be wondering this because you have your furry friends in mind. But there are a lot of stylish folks out there who did not have to sacrifice style, even comfort, just because they have a pet dog or cat, or even both.
You, too, can now remodel your space to accommodate your pets as well as make it look so stylish that you will be a trendsetter. Yes, a beautiful, stylish home is possible even with a pet lounging around.
The key to a pet-friendly home is to pick the right kinds of materials that will accommodate both your needs as well as your pet’s. This home must not be comfortable for pets only but also for humans. If a house does not work well with humans, then this will transcend to your pets as well as your family members and guests.
Even when you do get a set of furniture that matches your pet’s fur, be sure to clean up regularly. This is no excuse to skip on vacuuming and your pet’s grooming essentials.
Keep in mind, too, that pet fur has odor. It contains oil that tends to attract dirt so better follow these suggestions to maintain your pet-friendly home –
Groom Your Furry Friend
Keep the cat and dog clean so that your home will stay cleaner a lot longer. Be sure to trim their nails so they won’t be able to scratch the upholstery and floors. Bathe and regularly brush them so that loose hairs are removed before they even become a problem on your floor.
The rugs and furniture should also be cleaned, if their materials are washable, then that would be more awesome.
Use Only Stain-resistant Fabric
Don’t go for chintz or silk, of course. These are pet fur magnets. Their cousin, velvet, is also not a good material to use when you have pets in your home. Crypton is one such synthetic fabric that is almost indestructible. It is also stain and mud resistant, odor-resistant, and bacteria-resistant.
Find furnishings that come with this amazing fabric or others like it.
Leather is also another amazing choice since it is easy to clean and is also durable. Many leather grades can be scratched but these scratches can eventually add to the patina. Pleather is the more inexpensive option and it also has a timeless appeal.
Yet another kind of fabric that you can use for your pet-friendly home is the Ultrasuede microfiber and machine-washable fabric. It is seductively smooth just like the real deal. Even your pet beds can be upholstered with this beautiful fabric.
Use Washable Sheets on the Bed
If your dog or cat loves to sleep with you, then you simply have to deal with accidents especially with the latter. Cats tend to barf – a lot. You can protect the mattress from permanent damage by covering your bed with a thick pad.
Use a cotton bed sheet in medium color. You can also use patterns to hide some of the inevitable fur and stains. For your bed spread, be sure to use duvet which you can take off when your furry friend does the mishap.
No to Wall-to-wall Carpet
Carpets tend to absorb odors as well as trap loose pet fur. Carpets are quite difficult to clean up but if you really have to have a carpet, then use a low pile. This type is much easier to clean after your pet has an accident.
Install Durable Flooring Materials
Bare floors will always be the way to go but they could be boring. You can paint your concrete flooring with a color that matches your pet’s fur. Brick and terrazzo are also lovely and durable choices. Nothing beats ceramic tiles, though, when it comes to stain resistance and cleanup.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pet-friendly home, pet-friendly house
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Pet-friendly Interior Design
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017
Rachael Ray Home by Legacy Classic Furniture Accessories Dog Bed w reversible Cushion 6020-600
If you are interested in reading this article, then you are probably a fur parent (the term that is now used to describe a pet owner). Of course, you cannot imagine a life without your fur baby but nor should you compromise your home’s interior design. So, how do you actually design a pet-friendly home?
Durable Floors
It always begins with durable flooring. Pets have paw prints and nails. For both these, you will need a hard-surface material that will not be affected by your pets’ activities and vice versa.
Options like stone, ceramic or laminates are a lot easier to maintain compared to carpets. Such materials also keep the coolness on the floor during the hottest weathers. This is also a consideration for fur parents who take care of pets with long and thick fur.
While ceramics and laminates are okay, just make sure that they are not polished or your dogs and cats would slip. The addition of rubber mats or area rugs might become a necessity when the floors become too slippery.
You might be thinking of hardwood floors, too, but since you’re dealing with wood versus slobber, dents, and scratches, it is better to stay with the laminates and porcelain choices.
If you really have to use hardwood flooring, then pick the hardest varieties such as mahogany or oak. Stay away from fir or pine. Also, if you want to preserve the beauty of your traditional hardwood floors, then trim your pets’ nails regularly.
Protect the Walls
One of the most affordable way to protect your walls from your pet friend is to paint it. Pets tend to rub against walls so reserve those beautiful wallpapers for rooms that don’t get visited by your furry family member.
Pet Area
You should be able to designate a specific area for your pet. Sea grass or sisal mats are durable enough to withstand pet traffic. And when they’re too used up, all you have to do is to toss them away and buy a new one.
It’s mess-free, easy neutral territory for your pet.
Furnishings and Your Pet
When it comes to fabric upholstery, make it a point to pick those that are easy to maintain. Consider carefully the sofas and chairs that you will buy for the rooms in your home. Chenille and velvet are major no-nos since they highlight fallen pet hair.
If you have to use silk, then be sure to put them on areas that your pet cannot reach such as the windows. Tweed is also not a great material to use.
If you want stain-resistant materials, then opt for canvas, denim, or synthetics. Fabrics such as Crypton® are better able to resist moisture, germs, and odors which are all a part of pet ownership. You can also choose to have fur-toned fabrics. This is a technical way of decorating around your furry family member.
For best results, dress up the fur-colored sectional with fun accent pillows (also with easy-to-clean covers).
Of course, you also need to veer away from white fabrics. Instead, pick woven fabrics with textures, darker colors, and patterns. These should be able to camouflage pet hair and stains.
If designer fabrics are what your heart truly desires, then invest in washable covers, the slip-type. A lot of designers also say that there are white slipcovers that you can now wash and bleach before visitors arrive.
If your pet really loves to sit with you, then make a mental note of where he usually lounges. Put a throw on the chair backs and cushions where your pet loves to sit. This way, the furniture itself will be from stains.
Or you can also train your pet to steer clear of your furniture.
Tags: home with pets, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pet-friendly home
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Interior Design for Pet Lovers’ Homes
Friday, January 20th, 2017
The Drexel Heritage 80169-72 comes with Crypton finish.
All pets require attention, time and a safe environment where they can live. The sad news is that some animals do not get this attention, or worse, they are just an afterthought for people who are building or remodeling homes. Think of your pets as important beings, too, so it is crucial that you attend to their particular needs. Don’t think of them as mere possessions or even disposable stuff.
There are many ways that you can turn your home into a pet-friendly zone. What you need is ample know-how and the desire to make the living space better for the pet and not just for you. Your pet, after all, is also a part of your family.
Best Flooring Choices
One of the first questions that would probably pop into your mind is what sort of flooring you could use that would be pet-friendly. Weigh aspects like comfort, style, and durability.
The best flooring choices include hard surface floors like painted concrete, bricks or terrazzo.
Bamboo is also an awesome choice as flooring for homes with pets. This kind of grass won’t wear and tear as it also effectively stands up to foot traffic. This spells fewer repairs for you during the year. It is also a renewable material and one that is stain resistant.
Stone is also a durable flooring material for homes of pet owners. It does not easily scratch and it is also able to hold up against accident. This is a hard material though it can be cold and uncomfortable to your pets, too. See what sort of workaround you can do to make the stone flooring a bit warmer for your pets.
Tiles – especially ceramic tiles – are the best flooring materials for pets. This is best for wear and tear as it does not easily scratch. The hard surface is toenail-proof which is an effective way to keep the look of the flooring. Tiles also provide a cooler place for your pets to take a nap during the summer months.
Luxury vinyl is a better material than regular vinyl. It is thicker and is a lot more comfortable for you and your pets to walk on.
Worst Flooring Options
Hardwood is at the very top of this list. A lot of homeowners prefer to install hardwood in their homes. If you have pets, though, this can easily get stains as well as scratches brought about by your pet’s long nails.
If you really have to use hardwood flooring, be extra careful in using it in the area where your pet feeds. Be sure to clean up the spills right away.
Laminate flooring is a slippery material to use. This is a hard surface for the house pets to walk on.
Carpet is also one of the worst kinds of flooring material that you can use if you have a pet. Carpet does not just absorb odor, it also soaks up stains and it traps pet hair.
Optimal Pet-Friendly Furniture
Furniture is a form of investment. Since this is so, you need to be selective as you pick the ones that you will use daily. Optimal furniture materials for pet-friendly homes include Crypton, ultrasuede and leather.
Crypton is a synthetic fiber that easily resists odors, stains, germs as well as muddy paws. Now isn’t this amazing?
Ultrasuede, on the other hand, has microfiber that is machine-washable. It is a material that’s smooth to the touch though it can easily resist discoloration and stains. This can also be machine-washed as well as dry-cleaned.
Leather is also a good choice because it is durable and easy to clean. If you are really concerned about scratches, then just opt for pleather.
Tags: home for you and your pet, home with pets, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, pet-friendly home
Posted in Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on A Home Loved by Your Pets: The Best and Worst Building Material Choices
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