CasaSugar

Ask Casa: A Sand-Friendly Vacuum

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:00:59 -0700

Dear Casa,
I have seen posts on pet-friendly vacuums, but my problem is not just dog hair. It is massive amounts of sand that my beautiful Chow Chow drags in from Crissy Field [in San Francisco]. I need a recommendation for a vacuum for wood floors and carpets strong enough to pick up the sand. Any ideas?
Thanks,
MaryBeth

To hear my response to MaryBeth, read more.

Hi MaryBeth,
Funny you should ask . . . literally just two days ago, I spilled a fine-granule cleaning solution that is very much like sand, and used my Dyson DC24 ($399.99) to suck it up with no problems. I didn't even have to run over the sandy solution twice; first time was a charm! If you read Casa regularly, you may remember that I reviewed the Dyson DC24, so you can read about it for more details. If not this particular vacuum, I highly recommend Dysons in general for your dilemma, as they exhibit great suction power. Some other vacuum brands that I highly recommend are Electrolux (vintage ones are best) and Miele. I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Casa

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Love It or Hate It? Dog Hook

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:00:28 -0700

Do you love dogs enough to hang your hat on them? This Restoration Hardware Dog Hook ($14) will let you do just that.

Midday Muse: Kids and Dogs

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:00:44 -0700

While I have ambivalent feelings about this very modern sofa, and very definite feelings about dogs on sofas (it's a don't in our house), I have only good things to say about this adorable photo from eco furniture company Feel More Human. Maybe all furniture companies should try selling their products with the help of a cute kid and a cute dog.

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Open House: Pets and Your Home

CasaSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:30:10 -0700

Although I've only posted a few pet-related posts, your responses to these posts show that you're a pretty pet-oriented group! Who knew that the kitty washroom would inspire so much love?

Those of us who live with pets struggle to varying degrees with how to keep our homes clean, organized, and pretty, even with a sixty-pound dog underfoot or a kitty who likes to use your favorite chaise lounge as a scratching post.

So for this weekend's Open House, I want to hear your best ideas for living happily, healthfully, and beautifully with pets in your home. How do you keep them off the furniture? How do you keep your furniture clean and fur-free if they're allowed on the couch? How do you ensure that your cat's litterbox is smelling fresh? If you're a renter, how have you helped keep the peace between pet-wary landlords and pet-loving you? Just leave your ideas in the comments section below. Then next week, I'll compile our CasaSugar list of smart ideas for living with pets. Let the open house begin!

Source and Source

Love It or Hate It? Foo Dogs

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:08 -0700

Foo dogs seem to be everywhere these days (see brilliant blue ones in Nick Olsen's home here), be it as accents, bookends, or even candles! I like the color of these ones from Mary Kaiser, but beyond that I don't really understand the trend. They frighten me! All I can think is that they must have shown up in an issue of Domino at some point. Yea or nay?

Open House: What Are Your Thanksgiving Plans?

CasaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:30:39 -0800

This Thursday, friends and family will gather to socialize, give thanks, and stuff themselves silly. Whether you're hosting or putting in a guest appearance, there's always a lot of preparation and work that goes into every Thanksgiving gathering.

This year my husband and I are driving from Berkeley to Whidbey Island, off the coast of Washington, to stay with his family. We're driving because we're also traveling with our two dogs (I know, it's going to be quite the road trip). Once there, we'll help prepare the Thanksgiving meal, take lots of walks in the foggy forest and on the shore, and, I'm sure, play many, many rounds of Scrabble with my mom-in-law.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is getting to visit with so many loved ones, and to contribute to a meal, and an experience, that would be impossible without many hands. Tell me: what are your Thanksgiving plans, and what are your favorite parts of the holiday?

Source: Flicker User Lane & Anne

Roundup: Going to the Dogs

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:30:29 -0800

PetSugar will agree that dogs, especially North, can be a girl's best friend. So if you're a fan of furry, four-legged friends, why stop with just a dog bed in your home? Instead, why not populate your pad with some more design-savvy items, like this Avalisa Wool Rug ($310-1360)? Check out more of my finds below.

Casa Shops: Taigan

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:41 -0800

As the list of online designer sample sales grows, a new web shop has opened with a slightly different business plan. Taigan is a community of over 30 (and growing) specialty shops, boutiques, and galleries nationwide for members only. The site offers access to small, upscale shops in cities as far and wide as Chattanooga, TN and Aspen, CO, which may not otherwise have an ecommerce site.

Taigan gets its name from a rare hunting dog which is said to have "a discerning eye and keen sense of awareness," an analogy for the company, which hunt for all things little-known and beautiful around the country. Purveyor of art, antiques, home décor, fashion, and jewelry you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere online, Taigan does seem to have a card up its sleeve. But, after your 14-day trial is complete, membership costs $15 a month or $165 per year. For the average shopper, I'm not sure the cost is justifiable, but it certainly might be worth it for an interior designer.

Would You Let a Dog Swim in Your Swimming Pool?

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:41 -0700

Some friends of mine grew up with two giant Newfoundlands, whose favorite activity was swimming in the family swimming pool. It was pretty darn cute to see the hairy dogs splashing around in the pool, but as you can imagine, the family had to clean the pool a lot! Would you let a dog swim in your pool?
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Nice and New: Stray Dog Designs Finials

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:00:37 -0700

I've written about Stray Dog Designs lamps before, and while some of you loved the designs, you weren't keen on shelling out 400 smackers for a lamp. Granted, the funky fixtures are statement pieces, but that price point isn't in all of our budgets. I just noticed that Stray Dog now sells eye-catching finials for a fraction of the price of their lamps. Something like this Aqua Stalk Finial ($60) could instantly transform a humble lamp into something all of your friends ask about. I'd love to see it on a glass-base lamp like the Crate and Barrel Jack Table Lamp ($179). Prices range from $38 to $110, based on how elaborate they are.

K Studio - Dog Pillow - $98.00	Carved White Nephrite Foo Dog Bowl - $245.00
Magis -puppy by magis me too collection - $71.00	Matte Stephens Dog Ziggity Boom! - $180.00
Koko - Dogs Plastic Floormat 4 x 6 - $51.00	Fu Dog Bookends Set Of Two - $49.95
OFFI - MyPetLamp - Begging Buddy - $59.00	Black Dog Licorice Print - $199.00
Artecnica TranSglass Mirror - $2,200.00	teNeues Elliot Erwitt's Dogs - $95.00
Good Housekeeping Print - $169.00	Ibride Sultan Black Dog Stool - $350.00