| "You can't design a room around a cat" is probably | | | | with under-floor heating. Venetian or other window |
| the only note worthy output from a second rate | | | | blinds rather than full-length curtains pooling on the |
| interior design TV programme called Top Design aired | | | | floor. Metal and glass furniture rather than expensive |
| early in 2007 by Bravo TV. | | | | French polished wooden legs which rapidly become |
| But since nearly 50% of homes have either a cat or | | | | scratch posts. |
| a dog such a sweeping shibboleth needs to be | | | | Install inexpensive protective loose covers for |
| challenged. | | | | expensive furniture. Use a fabric that is easy to |
| Unless you have a pure white Persian cat, like Ernst | | | | regularly clean. To avoid problems with fabric |
| Stavro Blofeld did in the James Bond movies, you | | | | shrinkage choose a shrink free material or wash your |
| might have problems with a pure white minimalist | | | | selected fabric a few times before you have it made |
| interior. | | | | to measure. |
| At Art from the Start we have seen many homes | | | | Have an emergency cleaner kit on hand to cope with |
| where the pets have taken over and all attempts at | | | | the unexpected (but inevitable) stains that your pets |
| maintaining any form of interior style have fallen by | | | | will leave behind them. Quick treatment of stains |
| the way-side. This is sad and a wasted opportunity. | | | | before they soak in or dry out is the best tactic. |
| However all is not lost if you want to make Sam, | | | | Make part of your home off limits to animals - most |
| Sooty, Max, Spot or Tigger an integral part of your | | | | home owners find this hard to do but it gives the |
| stylish and beautiful home. | | | | animal a clear territory and minimises the potential for |
| Here are some ideas that will help your canine or | | | | dirt and damage in (for example) a formal lounge or |
| feline co-exist with your beautiful interiors: | | | | dining room. |
| If your pet has access to the big wide world then | | | | Put dedicated pet zones (e.g. feeding, litter trays and |
| dirt will be a problem. Likewise if your pet is not | | | | bedding) in an area away from dirt sensitive furniture. |
| house-trained your expensive Chinese silk rug may | | | | Ideally place in a utility area with easy to clean hard |
| suffer irrevocably. | | | | flooring. |
| There are two schools of thought: | | | | Get professional upholstery cleaners in twice a year |
| Camouflage - get soft furnishings that will hide dirt | | | | to clean rugs, carpets and upholstery. This is crucial |
| & moulting hairs. In other words colour | | | | to getting maximum life out your furnishings. The |
| coordinate fabrics with fur! | | | | deeper dirt sinks in to fabric the harder it becomes |
| Expose - make sure dirt & hair is visible so you | | | | to remove. |
| are forced to vacuum and clean. | | | | Suppress animal smells, by regular cleaning, and |
| Personally I'd chose the latter as I would not expect | | | | moderate use of air freshener. You will adapt to the |
| my human house-guests to sit on dirty furniture and | | | | smell but house-guests (of the human variety) will |
| find pet hairs all over their clothing. | | | | notice the odour instantly they walk in to your home. |
| Assuming you have pets in moderation (it is | | | | Finally remember to wash & groom your cat or |
| impossible to consider interior design if you have a | | | | dog regularly, especially if they are moulting. This will |
| free range menagerie in your home) there are some | | | | keep your home fresher and cleaner than almost |
| practical tips that will help. | | | | anything else. |
| Where the pet enters the home ensure you have | | | | Now both you and your pets can safely say that |
| hard wipe down floor surfaces inside & out. | | | | your house is home. |
| Place dirt grabbing mats inside and out and wash | | | | P.S. One last thing to remember is that when you |
| these regularly. Turtle Mats sells (on-line) a range of | | | | come to sell your home, you must clean it and |
| mats especially for this purpose. If you choose a hard | | | | deodorise it thoroughly before you start showing |
| floor surface make sure it is smooth wipe down | | | | prospective buyers around. Even if they are pet |
| rather than textured or creviced stone or tile. | | | | lovers they will not want your second hand dirt or |
| Select an interior design that is inherently compatible | | | | smells. |
| with pets, for example, ceramic or wood flooring | | | | |