CasaSugar

Pet Beds For Modern Interiors

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:28:35 -0700

For the past few years I've scoured catalogs, flea markets, and boutiques to find the coolest and loveliest decor that matches my personality and home. But you know what was in the corner, next to my Danish modern teak table? A sheepskin-and-plaid-flannel dog bed.

If, like me, you're looking for something a little more compatible with your home's interior design, check out these awesome cat and dog beds. And since we recently had to retire my dog's fashion-backyard bed after a visiting puppy took chewing liberties with it (thank you puppy!), I might have to order one of these as well.

Ask Casa: Decorating With a Puppy in Mind

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:34 -0700

Hi Casa,

We've just recently adopted an adorable puppy, and we're having a great time with her. The only problem is she's taken over the house! We had to move and hide anything she might eat or chew, so our living room and bookcases look empty.

Our kitchen is overwhelmed by her dog bed, and her doggy toys are scattered all over. Plus there's always that dog "smell." I know we need to just find the right system of organization and storage that will be safe for her and attractive to us, but I don't even know where to start! Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks!
Alex

To see my suggestions, read more.

Hi Alex,

As it happens, I'm pretty well-versed on this one, since my husband and I adopted a puppy back in June (that's him lounging on a friend's sofa a few months ago). It's been eight years since I dealt with a puppy, and I'd forgotten how much work it is! Here are the most helpful things that I've gleaned from my experience of living with, and decorating around, a puppy.

During the day, the puppy is crated, so I usually air out his dog bed on our deck, to keep it smelling fresh. This helps cut the doggy smell.
To organize his toys, I placed a blue tin bucket in one corner. It's actually a really cute container in itself. While Haiko, our puppy, will take his toys out (and won't return them, sigh), it's easier to just toss them all in this bucket once he's abandoned one. This keeps us from tripping over bones and balls, and also keeps the house tidier.
Try to teach your puppy to enjoy one place in common areas as her spot. You can do this by placing her bed in that area, and then rewarding her with praise and treats when she stays there. Eventually, she'll settle in that spot.
I sympathize with you and your empty bookshelves, but don't worry, your puppy will grow out of the chewing stage. I'd try replacing your books little by little. Make sure to sternly tell your pup "No!" if she tries to chew on them, and give her a Kong or bone when she approaches your books. Our puppy went through a long chewing phase, but with simple reprimands and redirecting, he's now left our books and records alone.
To cut down on the doggy smell further, air out your house by opening windows. You can also try a natural air freshener or Nature's Miracle to eliminate odors.
Since doggy smells tend to stick to upholstery, keeping your pets off of furniture will reduce doggy smells as well. If you can't bear to keep your pup off the sofa or bed, you can try laying down a fleece blanket where your puppy usually rests. Make sure to regularly wash the blanket to cut down on smells.
You might also want to look into investing in a dog bed that will fit into your decorating scheme easier. Check out these dog beds on PetSugar for more ideas.

Anyone else have a great puppy strategy? Tell Alex about it when you leave a comment.

Hope this helps!
Casa

Open House: What's Your Home's Pet Policy?

CasaSugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:30:02 -0700

My husband and I share our house with two dogs, which means a lot more vacuuming and dusting than nonpet people experience in their homes. We try to keep things tidier by keeping the pups off of furniture. However, they have full run of the house, hang out in every room, and even keep us company while we're cooking in the kitchen.

Since they have good manners, I don't mind having them underfoot, but I know that some families keep their dogs relegated to certain areas of the house or even crate them for much of the time that they're home.

So tell me, do you have dogs, cats, or other indoor pets? Do you let them up on your sofa or bed? What's your house's pet policy?

Source: Flickr User Emery_Way

Do You Allow Pets on Your Bed?

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:00:56 -0800

As much as I try to resist letting my pup on the bed at night, I always seem to allow her up for a little bit. If I could resist, I'd definitely have an easier time keeping my duvet cover dog-hair free. What do you do at your home?

Source

Home Away From Home: The Maidstone in East Hampton

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:33 -0700

If you live in the New York metro area, you know very well of the Hamptons' reputation as THE place to be in the summertime. If not, you've probably caught a glimpse of the glory of the Long Island townships in movies like Something's Gotta Give and Grey Gardens. Unless you're a lucky dog who owns a home in the popular seaside locale, most visitors rent a Summer share or score a bed with a friend, as hotels in the area tend to be overpriced and lacking in looks (and personal BBQ grills). But room and maid service does have its perks, so if you are looking to stay in a Hamptons hotel, might I offer one that gets my seal of approval? The iconic Maidstone hotel was reinvented by Swedish hotelier Jenny Ljungberg who has mixed the free-spirited design of her native Scandinavia with the timeless sophistication of the Hamptons, and thrown in some arresting artwork and photography - all with a bit of a bohemian twist. One of the guest rooms is furnished with pieces designed or inspired by seminal designer Josef Frank (a favorite of mine), and features white oak flooring typical of midcentury Scandinavia, as well as modern wallpaper by up-and-coming Swedish designer Hanna Werning. Another, the Kurbits Cottage, takes a note from traditional Sweden with a wooden Jantze Brogård Asshoff table, hand-painted wall motifs, a wood-burning fireplace, and water-lily light fixtures, as well wooden clogs as décor. Hear about the hotel's eco-friendly features and see plenty of photos when you read more.

Beyond its refreshing design philosophy, the hotel has also taken every conceivable step to be the Hamptons' most eco-friendly hotel, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral. Some of its eco-friendly features include an on-site Natura water filtration system in place of bottled water; high-efficiency furnaces; state-of-the-art central a/c units; Low-E double-paned windows with insulating argon gas; organic cotton linens; water-based paints; and low-flush toilets. They also use refillable toileterie containers, recyclable carry-out containers, organic produce, organic cleaning products, and compost all of their restaurant's organic waste and donate it to local farmers. And, guests are encouraged to use their collection of Kronan bicycles as green transport free of charge.

If you arrive in a car, you'll be happy to note that each room comes with a much-coveted beach parking permit. Pets are also welcome, and WiFi throughout the hotel is free. And after a tiring afternoon at the beach, you can cozy up with a book from the library stocked with volumes about art, design, photography and the Hamptons' history, or watch a DVD from their large collection, also free. Summer rates range from $450-$995.
To see interior photos, read more.

View 17 Photos ›

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:00:25 -0700

This bedroom makes a color change.- Making It Lovely
I love the idea of a cake vase.- Shelterrific
Make a patchwork pet bed.- AT:LA
Fix a leaky bathtub faucet.- Charles and Hudson
Whip up some handmade paper.- Craft
Check out this wild and crazy kitchen.- AT:LA
Does clearing clutter make you feel better? - Simply Stated
Create a balcony vegetable garden.- LA Times

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.

How-To: Prepare Your House For Vacation

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:44 -0800

After you've done your shopping and packing, if you're leaving town for the holidays, there are a few things you should check off your list to keep your digs in tip-top shape. If you'll be gone for a couple weeks or more, I suggest following all of my steps. If it's a short trip, you may choose to omit some.

To start, you'll want to purge your refrigerator and pantry of any perishables. You'll likely have household staples (sugar, flour, etc.) that you won't want to toss; store those in tightly sealed containers, like Le Parfait Storage Jars.
If you're going to be gone for a few weeks, once you've emptied your refrigerator/freezer, unplug it and open the doors to defrost. Leave a box of Fridge-N-Freezer to absorb any odors that may be lingering.
Round up all of your trash bags and take them out to your garbage bin. Make sure you bring your garbage bin to the curb so the garbage crew can access your trash.
Scan your yard, patio, or deck for any outdoor items and furnishings you might have left there and bring them indoors.

To read the rest of my vacation preparation list, read more.

Water your plants, or hire someone to come by and water them while you're gone. And don't forget to feed your pets and hire a caretaker for them if they're not coming with!
Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check on your house while you're gone.
Suspend your mail service, or ask a trustworthy friend or neighbor to pick up your mail daily.
Turn the thermostat down to about 55 degrees.
Turn off the water.
Put a few lights in the front of the house on timers so that they go on at night, and turn the rest off.
Close your windows, blinds, and curtains to prevent sun damage and to keep your house private.
Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and wipe down your counters.
Wash and dry your bed sheets. Fold them, and put them in your linen closet. Make your bed when you return from vacation to prevent your linens from getting dusty while you're gone.
Make sure to do any other laundry.
Shovel snow and ice off of any walkways at your home, if there is any.
If you're leaving a car at home, remove valuables and bring them indoors. Lock your car doors, and leave it in the garage, if you have one.
Obviously, lock all of your doors (including the garage). But, leave your interior doors open to keep closets and small rooms from getting stuffy.
Do a run down to make sure you haven't forgotten anything (passport!) and take a walk through your house.
Set your alarm system. Bon voyage!

Source

Pets in the House: Kitty Loves the Tube

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:00:28 -0800

Sweetpeabrina shared some cute photos of her kitties in the Pets in the House TeamSugar group. I love this photo of Penny, especially because Sweetpeabrina notes that Penny's always up to no good. She explains this shot by saying,

We were watching some celebrity gossip show like TMZ on TV or E! News one Saturday morning. She adores celebrity gossip. I think it's impossible to keep kitties off of furniture. Well, maybe not everyone's kitties, just Penny. She's on the bed, on the ironing board, on the top of the kitchen cabinets, on top of the TV, on the couches, inside the wine rack, in my basket of fabric, behind the washing machine, and under the bathroom sink. She's everywhere but in her bed!

Do you have a television-gazing pet who needs to be featured on Casa? Send your posts, photographs, and blog entries in! Feel free also to post questions about pet-friendly furniture and other pet and interior questions here as well. Join now!

How Would You . . .

CasaSugar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:30:04 -0700

This set of four, brass-studded, Leather Bound Trunks ($15,000) likely once served as travel storage for a sophisticated lady on a worldly voyage like Angelina Jolie in Changeling. But, as these How Would Yous tend to go, I'm not interested in offering up suitcases to you. I want to know how you'd use these elegant antique suitcases in your home as décor. Would you use one as a coffee table? Stack them beside a reading chair as a side table? Turn them into planters? Hang them on the wall? Turn them into pet beds? Paint them? Fill them with old love letters? I know you can come up with a creative use for these ancient beauties. Tell me by commenting below!

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