We’re Walking On Sunshine.
A CLEAN HOME OCCUPIED BY DOGS, cats, children and busy humans may be an oxymoron. In a perfect world, the houses, apartments or condos we move into would be automatically designed for high style and low maintenance. Of course, that’s not always the case, as many Americans are downsizing, mov- ing, renting, and may not immediately have the resources (in time or money) to redecorate. Flooring is oftentimes the biggest
renovation obstacle to overcome for those of us who share our homes with dogs. As we age, for dogs and humans alike, texture plays a key role. Too rough and it can be very difficult to clean. Too smooth, it can become slippery and unsafe for people and pets. Also, be cau- tious when selecting reflective, high gloss floors which may look like water to pets, making it unstable for them to maneuver. Look for matte or honed fin- ishes.
Natural stone materials, such as
Don’t Want to Replace Wood Floors or Linoleum? Invest in a quality, durable rug or carpet tiles. The best of both worlds is a tiled rug, created by FLOR Carpet Design Squares. Soft, plush and luxurious - the innovative system of carpet squares may be assembled to creat custom rugs, runners or wall-to-wall designs of any shape or size. Change Squares, Not Rooms. Visit
www.Flor.com for store locations.
marble, travertine and limestone are beautiful, but scratch easily, crack often, stain and have to be sealed on a regular basis. A more pet-friendly option would be porcelain tile, many of which look exactly like real stone. It costs less, and is easier to maintain. HINT: Use a dark grout. Light colored grout will show traffic patterns over time, turning dark in areas where people and pets often walk. We all know that carpet is basically
a sponge, absorbing liquids, trapping hair and dirt with that uncanny ability to hold on to odors long after the source is (seemingly) gone. It you really love car- pet, go for carpet tiles. That way if one gets ruined, it can easily be replaced without having to rip everything up.
www.TheNewBarker.com Winter ~ 2013 THE NEW BARKER 33
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