My Design Secrets

Dog beds and crates can really put a kink in your home decor.  I have seen my clients try to camouflage them with sheets or blankets, but really it creates even more of an eyesore.  In interior design the trick with any necessary but distracting item is to integrate it into the design.  So I did a little hunting and found a company I’d like to share:  Crate Covers & More.  They make custom-designed crate covers and beds that are so nice, they might inspire you to design your room around them!  They offer a variety of fabrics and styles so you can find something that best suits your room.  For more traditional or feminine rooms they have the Gathered Style which resembles draperies.  If you like to keep it simple or more modern, with a cover that fits like a tailored slipcover then the Stagecoach Cover is for you. 

The gathered style is shown here. I love the little tie-backs!

The designer fabrics and color combinations are really sharp looking plus you can opt for the coordinating bed.  The corners and bottom edge are finished off beautifully with contrasting welt.  The front rolls up, so you can easily open the door.  If your pup prefers some privacy you just unhook the loop from the fabric-covered button.  They really put a lot of thought into the design as you can see from the details.

• They use high-quality upholstery and drapery fabrics including  Ralph Lauren and Laura Ashley brands.
• Each cover is professionally lined and sewn.
• The beds are reversible so you can use both sides plus they are soil and stain resistant.
• Everything is made in the USA.

The quality is really nice with coordinating buttons and contrast linings.

In addition to making covers for standard size crates, they do custom sizes and fabrics.  They also carry organic dog beds and sofa and chair covers.  They may be the answer to a few of your prayers.

Become a member of My Secret Database for more great sources of Pet Furnishings!

* Today’s post was written in memory of our dog, Emma (left) who I have mentioned quite a few times.  I am sorry to say that recently she passed away after 12 wonderful years with us.   She was the first dog I cared for from puppy to parting so it’s been a rough couple of weeks and we miss her dearly. But I am also happy to report that we have been blessed with a new dog named Roxie (right).  She is 6 years old and came to us from Florida Weimaraner Rescue.  So for those of you considering a pet, remember all the adult dogs and cats that need a home.  If you like a specific breed, then contact your local rescue league.  Most of them now list their dogs on  Petfinder.com which allows you to plug in all your preferences and see what animals are waiting for you!

The safest, most effective, pet cleanup system anywhere! An eco-firendly aerosol that is free of harsh chemicals and is both fur friendly and kid safe.

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A few minutes before the guests start to arrive and things could not be going more smoothly.  House, clean, top to bottom.  New decor, tastefully done.  Appetizers, warm in the oven.  Drinks, chilling.  Hair, fierce.  Little black dress, ooh laa laa.  Fido and Miss Kitty, misbehaving!

They have decided to greet your guests in their own special way.  Miss Kitty has coughed up a furball on the newly upholstered sofa and Fido has releived himself in the foyer.  Not exactly the first impression you had in mind, huh?

Fear not, you have Clean + Green by SeaYu to save the day.  Non- toxic, non-carcogenic, and eco-friendly, these are the most powerful and effective pet cleanup products on the market.  With an assortment of products for dogs, cats, birds and even small animals like ferrets, you can be confident that if your pet has an accident anywhere in your home that you will be able to eliminate the stain and odor with Clean + Green, quickly and easily.   

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Cleans and permanently removes stain and odor due to dog and cat clean up problems, such as urine, feces, vomit, cat spray, hairballs and more.

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Clean + Green is all natural, works instantly, easy-to-use, safe for pets, people, and the environment.  I like that!

Ready to Win Six Cans of Clean + Green for Your Home?

Step 1:  Visit SeaYu and choose six Clean + Green products.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which 6 products you want.  You win, you get all six!  And if you would like to add a story about your pet, we would love to hear it!  If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

Step 3:  You must follow directions accordingly to be entered into the giveaway.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 to enter.  One random winner, that has followed directions, will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie 

Win this Gorgeous $32o Lamp!

It’s no secret among my friends and family that I am nuts about pups.  I love dogs in all shapes and sizes.  They have such a good vibe and for the most part bring you nothing but joy (if properly trained .  Recently, I ran across a few companies that are taking a cue from our pets to create decorative solutions that pamper your pet and work with your decor.  Since pets are a part of the family, I think it’s a very cool idea.  Let me know what you think!

Crates and pet houses can take up a lot of space.  Denhaus has created pieces that do double duty as end tables and pet houses.  They’re available in Classic and Modern Styles.  Tres chic!

I really like the Asian feel to the Saigon Day Bed from Dog Bed Works.  It would be at home with your Modern or Exotic Decor.

The Beverley Hills Black and White Dog Bed from AdorableDogBeds.com will fit right in with Classic decor.  You pup will sit atop his or her rightful throne.

Please take these last two with the humor that is intended.  I don’t dress-up my dog Emma (well maybe on Halloween) nor does she require her own sleeping quarters.  I just thought they would make you smile.

Rachel Hunter apparently hired La Petite Maison to craft a mansion for her dog.  In this case, they replicated the client’s home for Fido.

And if you do dress up your pet, then where are you going to put all the frocks and feathers?  Why an armoire of course!

Shop for your spoiled pet on a semi-reasonable level in My Secret Database!

Are you ready to unleash your creativity?  I know, I know…your half-finished scrapbook sits up on the shelf and somehow that inanimate object has the ability to make you feel guilty.  Well, worry no more.  I have an easy project for you that makes the most of family photos by transforming them into clever artwork to hang on your walls.  The fantastic and fool-proof website, Picnik, will guide you through the process step-by-step.  Actually, it’s so much fun that I bet you will spend a lot more time than you need to! 

Go to www.picnik.com and easily upload your photo.  You then can Edit the photo by cropping, rotating or removing red-eye.  Now comes the fun part: Create.  Here you can apply any number of effects to make-over your photo. I chose a photo of my dog, Emma, and applied some technicolor.  You could also go with a simple black and white or sepia tone for an old-fashioned or “gallery” look.

At the end of the process you can save your photo to work on later, print it, email it or make a slide show.  It’s fun to apply different effects or colors to the same photo.  Or if you have several photos, it would be nice to apply the same effect to three different photos and hang them up in a group.  By using the same style, it will unify them.

To finish off these photos I would recommend a simple black frame with a large white mat that you can pick up from several vendors in My Secret Database.  Your friends will be impressed, your photos will come out of the box and your walls will be fashionably decorated.  Who could ask for anything else?

Calling all dog park devotees!  Good news on the furnishings front.  Crypton makes a line of “everything” resistant fabrics and furnishings that won’t get Fido kicked off the couch.  Fabulous sofas, chairs, dog beds and fabrics by the yard.  Choose among many styles and colors.  There is something to please everyone.

This is their promise to you and it’s pretty brave…

“It is the only textile that offers stain, moisture, mold, mildew, bacteria, and odor-resistant protection coupled with an integrated barrier that ensures nothing will ever penetrate the fabric…ever. “

Bravo for the husband and wife team of Craig and Randy Rubin.  They are making things a bit easier for those of us who unapologetically allow canines on the couch.

Come Visit Crypton!

I thought it was a great innovation when they started making the synthetic “sisal look” rugs that you could use outdoors. It adds friendly warmth to your patio. In the past I have recommended that clients also use these rugs indoors for pet and children friendly areas. They give you the sisal look without the worry. Real sisal is a nightmare to clean and it does not feel good on bare feet and knees (for the crawlers). But now there are all-weather rugs that look just like the tufted rugs that you would use in your living room. Here are a couple of fabulous ones from Grandin Road.