Pro Tips for Living in Style with Pets
Living in Style with Pet
I found this wonderful book this week, At Home with Dogs and Their Designers, Sharing a Stylish Life by Susanna Salk. Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler, and many other top-notch designers are featured living in style with pets. It was validating to see these design icons who pride themselves on creating gorgeous spaces make plenty of accommodations for their pups. Cats seem to have been left out, but I’m sure that’s the next book, or at least it should be.
Most of them share their posh couches and lavish beds with their fur-kids. It’s satisfying to hear that these fancy-pants designers let their dogs sleep on their high-end sheets with them. It’s like when a celebrity reveals their go-to leggings are from Target.
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Don’t get it twisted, these designers take living with their pets to the next level. There are zero bright pink paw-pattern dog beds in this book. Their taste may be high end, but they have some great tips for the average design lover. I also found a few brilliant surprises (like Alex Papachristidis has a niche inside his home for wee-wee pads. It has fancy molding and everything. Wha?)
Pro Tips on Living in Style with Pets
Here are eight of my favorite tips from the book.
Swap Baby Gates for Antique Doors
Brooke Giannetti uses antique cabinet doors instead of baby gates. What a great idea. Attach them to the wall with hinges or create an accordion version that stands up on its own by connecting a few together.
Outdoor Shower
Jeffery Alan Marks created an outdoor shower for his pup before he enters the home. You could put something simple together for your home with a bench, storage for soap, towels, and a garden hose. Go the extra mile and get a hose in a color that coordinates with the soap and towels. Going too far?
Stair Runner
He also suggests adding a runner for your stairs for added safety for your pups, especially for older dogs. Obviously, his is custom made and totally gorgeous. I found a nice selection of off-the-shelf versions at rugs.com. It is a great opportunity to add a little flair to your entryway.
Pet Portraits
Schuyler Samperton uses black and white photography of her pup around the house as art. It is a simple idea, but it can be a real statement piece.
Mudroom Floor Mats
Robert Couturier covers their mudroom from wall to wall with floor mats. I did some research to try to find something similar. There are industrial ones for garages at the hardware store, but they were kinda meh. Another option could be mats used in nurseries. They come in some hip patterns like this one and this one. Is that’s crazy? Let me know in the comments.
Antique Chairs as Dog Stairs
Alex Papachristidis recommended using mini antique chairs next to your bed to help the dogs get up and down. This is a very classy way for small dogs to get up on the bed.
Bring Outdoor Fabric In
Many of the designers suggested using outdoor fabrics for indoor furnishings. If you are doing something custom, one designer suggested buying additional material to create matching square covers you can put on top of the couch or chair. You can remove and wash them. It’s kind of like a pet placemat for the sofa. Many of them also suggested hiding pet hair with faux fur and patterned fabric.
Dining in Style
All of these pups eat in style. You have to check out this book to see the range in luxe dining arrangements. My favorite was Betsy Burnham’s Chinoiserie Toile bowls. I found something similar (and more affordable) on Etsy. I love these!!
If that’s not enough Jonathan Adler has his own pet accessory line on Amazon. Check it out here. I especially love these Terrazzo Dog bowls.
Kelly Wearstler also has her own line of pet accessories. I found a beautiful marble dog bowl for just $395 and a few dog houses for 4K. Okay, so maybe this line is more for inspo. If you are not ready to drop that kinds cash I found a similar marble bowl from Amazon
Grab the book and take a little inspiration from theses design pros. It would make a great coffee table book or gift.
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