| July 2009 |
The Design Diva Dishes!
Design Trends and Lifestyle Tips |
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Dear ,
Can you believe the year is halfway over? I don't know where the time goes, but it certainly goes by quickly. June was an exciting month for me. Jon Robinson happily returned to the radio station and we resumed our Friday morning decorating segment from 7 to 8am on K104.7FM. I hope you tune in and call 704-570-1047 with your decorating dilemmas. If you are outside the Charlotte region you can listen live online at K1047.com or listen to the podcast on the show's webpage. I am working to get the link onto my own webpage, too.
I was also invited to be part of the new television show "Community Connection" hosted by Lori Frascati and Jennifer Cochrane of LKNSavings.com. The show aired June 29th at 5pm, but will replay on Wednesday, July 1 and Saturday July 4. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
This month I decided I would have some fun with the E-zine and focus on "Pet-Friendly Decorating." Sixty-six percent of American homes have pets, and eighty-eight percent of pet owners believe their pets are members of their family. I have three dogs that I adore, and they are far more devoted to me and certainly listen to me better than my human 17 year old. Can I get an AMEN to that??
My dog JoJo giving my daughter Bonnie a bath
I will share ideas for Pet-Friendly Decorating that are comfortable and durable for all family members. The Trend Report will focus on new ways people are spending money on their pets. The Color of the Month is White, which happens to be the only color dog I do not have! Our Green Report will show you ways to "Go Green" when choosing pet supplies, and our Recipe of the Month is a cute birthday cake for your special pet. Over the top? Maybe... but it is summer and time to have fun.
I hope you enjoy this new genre of decorating. Have a great month, and please feel free to contact me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com with any questions or comments.
Barbara Green |
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Pet Friendly Decorating |
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What is Pet Friendly Decorating? It is decorating your home so that it is comfortable for both you and your pet, but designed with durability in mind. When planning for pet friendly design, you need to focus on five areas: walls, floors, furniture, window treatments, and accessories.
Walls: Do not use flat paint. My dog, Rebekkah loves to lay on the floor with her back against the wall. She is very skittish, so I think it gives her some security in knowing nothing will sneak up behind her.
Rebekkah drying off in the sun after her bath
However, when pets rub against the wall, the oils from their skin and fur get onto the wall. Flat paint will abosrb these dirt and oils and no amount of scrubbing will get them clean. Stick with satin or eggshell finish for easy washability.
Floors: I recommend hard floor surfaces such as tile, laminate, or vinyl. Pet's nails will wreak havoc with hardwoods unless you are vigilant with trimming and filing. If you choose wall to wall carpeting, choose a tight, low, cut pile instead of a looped pile or berber. Pets are curious, and they will find the tiniest loose thread of the looped pile or berber and think it is their mission in life to unravel the entire rug. Trust me, I speak from experience! Long pile rugs make it difficult to vacuum up all the pet hair and dander. Another option if you like the look of wall to wall carpet would be to use carpet tiles, below. They are much-improved over first generation carpet tiles, come in a myriad of colors and patterns, and if one section gets destroyed, it is easy to pull up and replace.
Furniture: Durability and the ease of cleaning are the important features to look for in pet friendly furniture. Metal legs on tables and chairs don't tempt a pet to chew, and tile or stone tops on tables won't scratch if your pet likes to jump on top like my
"Grand-Dog" Lucy, (my daughter Shannon's dog) below:
For worry-free wear, cover upholstered pieces in either microfiber (the most durable fabric available), distressed leather (more distressing will only increase its beauty), or washable slipcovers. Make sure beds have a thick mattress pad and a washable cotton duvet rather than a comforter. Duvet covers are much easier to toss in the washing machine whenever they get soiled. You might also want to keep your pet's fur color in mind to make the inevitable pet hair less noticable.
Window Treatments: When sharing a home with pets, you want to avoid silk draperies. They will absorb pet soil and be impossible to clean. You will also want to avoid embroidered fabrics as cats in particular will view it as their newest scratch pad. In fact, you might even want to skip long drapes all together, and use shorter valances, wood blinds, shutters, or roman blinds, as pictured below.
Accessories: Do not fill your home with delicate collectibles if you want to peacefully coexist with pets. Choose a few large scale, statement accessories, preferably made of unbreakable materials. The accessories below are heavily weighted so pets won't tip them over, and even if they do fall they are durable and aren't likely to break.
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Trend Report |
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The big trend to report this month is the fact that pet decorating is one of the fastest growing segments of the interior design market. In addition to making the home decor pet friendly, pet lovers are opening their wallets and filling their homes with furnishings and products designed to spoil and pamper the family pet.
It used to be that a large pillow tossed on the floor for napping was enough. Next came the set of stairs so our four legged friends would have easier access to our sofas and beds. Now our pampered pooches have chic, modern sofas of their own, and catered-to cats have cozy cottages with perches and scratching posts.
For those pets who truly rule the roost, there is an elegant four poster bed fit for a king. However, be prepared to pay a King's ransom for it, as it sells for $4500!!!
Pet boutiques are popping up all over America, and pet owners are having great fun playing dress up with their pets. But what do you do with all this fashion when you get it home? You keep it all organized in a specially made pet closet or armoire:
Don't worry if you don't have pets of the four legged variety. There is still plenty of spoiling to do for your fine feather friends or your own little Nemo. No expense is spared for the cabinet grade birdcage or the fireplace aquarium, below:
And if you've ever dreamed of seeing your pet hamster on TV, you can add this cute little accessory to his or her cage:
Hollywood is calling!!!! |
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Color of the Month |
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The Color of the Month is white, which is considered to be the sum of all colors. Sunlight is white light that is composed of all the colors of the spectrum. What better time than summer to talk about the color of sunlight and white hot days?
Design-wise, white is currently popular when paired with a single bold color for a powerful design statement. The brown paint in the room pictured below is definitely pet friendly, and the white slipcovers on the dining chairs make for easy cleanup of messes made by both humans and pets alike.
Remember, if you want to peacefully coexist with pets, make sure everything you buy in white is both washable and durable. The room below is a fresh summery room with slipcovers that are made from white denim. They can easily be tossed into the washing machine when they begin to look dingy, and the fibers are strong enough to withstand multiple washings.
One of the biggest challenges designers have when designing a pet-friendly home is what to do with the necessities of pet ownership that are often quite unsightly? My least favorite item to deal with is the cat litter box, but now it can be discretely hidden in a beautiful piece of furniture in your choice of white or wood tones:
Another eyesore is the dog crate. But now there are numerous styles available that look like fine pieces of furniture in whatever room they are placed:
For those who want a dog house in white, here are a couple of elegant options:
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Green Design |
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You don't have to sacrifice your commitment to the environment when catering to your pets' needs. While the items listed in the Trend Report might be considered frivolous, there are more modest, eco-friendly ways to pamper your pet.
Dogs can rest easily on these stylish, earth friendly Eco Naps. These mats utilize fabric milled in the USA with 85% of the fabric comprised of post consumer recycled plastic, better known as soda bottles. Over 40 plastic bottles are diverted from landfills with every Extra Large Eco Nap! A Medium Eco Nap diverts more than 21 bottles with each mat.
The striped dog beds below are made from eco-friendly hemp fabric that has been grown without the use of pesticides. The striped pattern is made with non-chemical, earth-friendly dyes. The stuffing is made from recycled soda bottles, fulfilling this product's commitment to eco-friendly comfort.
Cats love to climb and scratch, and with this eco-friendly cat tree in your home you are less likely to have to worry about damage to your home furnishings. The tree is made of sustainable bamboo and birch hardwoods finished with a durable, non-toxic satin finish. The posts are wrapped with sisal for your cat's scratching pleasure.
DId you know that 2 million tons of non-biodegradable cat litter ends up in municipal landfills every year? Swheat Scoop is a product cat lovers might like to know about. It is natural wheat litter, made without clays and chemicals and is fragrance free and biodegradable. This non-toxic litter is a great alternative to traditional litters in that it doesn't create dust, is made from a renewable resource and is 100% compostable. Swheat Scoop is so safe it can even be licked or digested without serious consequences, making it perfect for kittens, and is also sensitive on their little paws. This litter clumps better than others, making it easier to scoop, and it's even safe for septic systems so you can flush those clumps down the toilet.
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Quote of the Month |
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Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot |
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Recipe of the Month |
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I could have included this in the Trend section, since birthday parties for pets are really big right now. Going along with the "pets as family" principle, humans are splurging on elaborate birthday parties at dog bars and party rooms. I have never gone that far for my pets, but I have been known to bake them a birthday cake. My dog Mary (below) shares the same birthday as my daughter Bonnie, so hers is easy to remember.
Here is an easy, nutritious recipe that your pet is sure to love.
Dog Birthday Cake
1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
Cottage Cheese for Frosting
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Pour into a cake pan sprayed with a nonstick spray. Bake for 40 minutes.
4. Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces.
Store in refrigerator.  |
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Community Outreach |
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Most people say there are only two things guaranteed in life: death and taxes. Well I would like to submit to you a third guarantee: No matter how bad your life is, there is always someone worse off than you. I believe that it is more important to give than to receive. Additionally, it has been my personal experience that when I give generously, whether it be of time or money, the rewards I get are exponentially greater than anything I might have given. In this spirit, I am going to share with you each month opportunities available for us all to give back, for we are all greatly blessed, even in these times of struggle.
Big Day at the Lake 5
There are only a couple of weeks left before we welcome hundreds of "Littles" to Lake Norman with their "Bigs." With the economy as it is, we are behind in raising funds for this worthy cause. Please think about making a donation or becoming a sponsor of this great event. 87% of all money donated goes directly to funding the programs, which is a great testament to how well the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization is managed. Currently needed are: Corporate Sponsors, Cash Donations, and Boat Owners. Please email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com if you would like to be a sponsor or make a donation. Boat owners can register at BigDayAtTheLake.com For more information you can call Dave Yochum at 704-895-1335..
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| 15%
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Pet Decorating Sale!!!
Order any pet friendly furniture or flooring and save 15%.
Mention code DDD0709.
Feel free to share this offer with friends, family, or associates.
Not applicable to orders placed before 7/1/09. |
| Offer Expires: July 31, 2009 | |
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Thanks for reading The Design Diva Dishes. I hope you enjoyed this issue and will forward it to your friends using the link below. All past issues of The Design Diva Dishes are now archived and available though a link at my website: sensiblychic.biz Have a great month, and I'll see you again August 1. Call me at: 704-987-0277 or Email me at: sensiblychic4u@aol.com |
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