CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Kitty Washroom

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:30:54 -0700

Most of my kitty-owning friends are looking for a decor-appropriate solution to the litterbox. Maybe this Kitty Washroom ($99.95) is the answer to their prayers?

via Outblush

Designer Spotlight: Toss Designs

FabSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 09:30:33 -0700

I know I'm not the only one with travel on the mind now with Summer upon us. Toss Designs is a one-stop shop for uplifting travel gear, home goodies and pet stuff. The designs are intended for a "life-on-the-go" gal with its innovative styles, quality materials and updated basics. With sassy prints like animal print, polka dots and cotton candy stripes these designs are also very well priced! This Moc Croc Domino Set, $40, makes me want to take up dominos for the sheer cuteness of it. Enjoy!

For more fun stuff, read more

View 8 Photos ›

Do You Let Your Pets on Your Sofa?

CasaSugar — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:30:18 -0700

Many of us allow our pets up on the sofa, but all that pet hair can add up to a lot of cleaning. Do you let your pets on your sofa, or do they stay on ground level?

Source: Photo by ansik

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

Open House: How Do You Deal With Pets in Your Garden?

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:30:00 -0700

My mother-in-law has amazing flower and edible gardens at her cabin on Whidbey Island, off the coast of Washington. She also has a very exuberant ball-fetching standard poodle named Zoe. When I visited the cabin last weekend, I walked around her property, stunned by the bursts of color from her rhododendrons, peonies, roses, lilacs, honeysuckle, and numerous other flowering plants. And then there was Zoe, who diligently followed me and dropped her ball at my feet whenever I'd pause.
Even though Zoe is a big, active dog, her damage to my mother-in-law's fabulous garden seems minimal at worst. There are several gravel paths, upon which Zoe usually travels when outside. Two grassy patches seem to be her preferred outdoor lounging spots, and she's well-trained enough not to tramp around in the surrounding flowering gardens or strawberry patches.

Do you negotiate the issue of shared garden and pet space? How do you deal with pets in your flower garden? Do you train Fido to stay out? Do you use fencing or natural deterrents to keep your pets away from your favorite plants? Tell me all about it!

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

How-To: Remove Contact Paper Adhesive

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:12 -0800

Remember how I covered my hideous linoleum floors with woodgrain contact paper? Well, while they looked fabulous, it came time to take them off. The contact paper itself was easy to remove, but as expected, a very tough adhesive residue was left. I tried literally everything to get rid of the sticky mess - WD40, Goo Gone, vinegar, Oops!, you name it - and searched far and wide on the Internet for tips to no avail. In the end, thanks to a tip from a friend, I was able to remove the residue. Want to know what the magic potion was?

Open House: What Are Your Design Pet Peeves?

CasaSugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:30:00 -0700

In my slideshow of the top 10 worst decorating mistakes, I covered design failures that are simply inexcusable - no ifs, ands, or buts. But seeing as decorating is all about taste, it's a very subjective field. There are plenty of design choices that I certainly wouldn't recommend or that even make me cringe, but at the same time I wouldn't call them mistakes. It's sort of a "to each his own" kind of thing.
For instance, I think the color maroon is absolutely foul, regardless of how it is used - but a color really can't be wrong. I also would never, ever put fake flowers in my house, although I will admit I have seen some that could pass for pretty. What are your design pet peeves? Do you hate stripes? Are you anti all-white rooms? Tell me by commenting below!

Love It or Hate It? Pets in Shelter Photos

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:00:08 -0700

I've been inspired by a lot of the Apartment Therapy Fall Colors 2008 Contest entries, and it seems like my favorites involve homes with pets in the photos. Of course, this is a reflection of my pet love in general. However, I really do believe that a cute pup or kitty in a photo makes an appealing home look 10 times better. Are you with me, or do animals in shelter shots leave you cold?

Source

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.