Pet-Friendly Decorating Tips
January 23, 2015
The truth of the matter is that here in Florida we love our pets.
Steve Lush may be president of Robb & Stucky, but at home, cocker spaniel Sadie's top dog. Our Fort Myers General Manager Matt Evans is well over 6 feet tall, but is known to defer to Tony, Tic Tac and Mia, his happy menagerie of a dog and two cats.
As for me, I hold my hand high – or should I say paw? – among these ranks. Frankie, my 15-pound Jack Russell, clearly thinks he's head of the household – but don't tell my finicky felines Ella and Louie.
As Robb & Stucky's creative director, I also LOVE great design. The problem is that Frankie, the felines and fine furniture are not always compatible. Today, I'd like to share some insights on decorating with dogs.
Maybe I should rephrase. Here are my pet-friendly decorating tips!
Let's talk upholstered furniture. Have you ever notice that your pet has an uncanny way of finding the best seat in the house? How many times have you turned the key, crossed the threshold and heard an unmistakable "thump" as your Golden hastily removes himself – but not his fur – from your designer sofa?
Sure, obedience training is one solution. Good luck with that if you have felines. But I also urge you to consider the new and exciting breed of Sunbrella fabrics. These are not the harsh old indoor-outdoor fabrics of old.
Sunbrella now offers true designer fabrics manufactured to withstand more extreme circumstances, including the family pet. Colors and patterns range from spa-like pastels to sun-drenched jewel tones, and solids to modern geometric patterns – and more.
Crypton fabrics are yet another silver bullet. These are specially engineered textiles permanently transformed with stain and microbial protection. There's an impenetrable moisture barrier that protects fabrics from spills.
Robb & Stucky makes Crypton available to you through some of our finest resources: American Leather, Century and Henredon, to name just three.
Sofa slipcovers are another brilliant tip for pet-loving decorators. Now, I'm not talking scratchy plastic slipcovers circa 1960. Let's face it, even an indiscriminate dog would turn a snout up at those. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams set a standard for slipcover looks. No wonder: the company mascot is a dog!
Most slipcovers are not designed to be removed and thrown into the Whirlpool. However, slipcover designs are easy to care for and offer a buffer of fabric between the animal kingdom and your sofa. Just as importantly, slipcovers are a hot, on-trend look.
Robb & Stucky interior designers are the best. I see them at work every day. Their job is not to sell you furniture, but to understand how you live in your home, and then find creative solutions to make your life better.
Be sure to let your Robb & Stucky designer know if pets are in the household mix. It's likely you're going to find another animal lover, for one thing! But more importantly, a good designer will make decorating recommendations compatible with your pet status, whether it's Sunbrella, Crypton fabrics, slipcovers or a robotic vacuum.
Creative mastermind (and Jack Russell aficionado and cat fancier) Mark Stuart is a Florida transplant from Indiana. As Robb & Stucky creative director, he is responsible for the floor plan and visual display of all Robb & Stucky stores. In his spare time, he also shops the world for accessories and engages with our buying team on wood and upholstery selections so our stores enchant as a unified, beautiful experience.
Mark Stuart, a Florida transplant from Indiana, is responsible for the floor plan and visual display of all Robb & Stucky stores. In his spare time, he also shops the world for accessories and engages with our amazing buying team on wood and upholstery selections so our stores enchant as a unified, beautiful experience. Contact him at 239-415-2800.
