Her dog Vito’s breed tends to be less prone to shedding.
WHEN PETPROOFING a home, designer Katie Wolf (shown above with Vito, her 2-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo) likes to focus on what a space can have rather than what it can’t. This means turning her attention to those elements that don’t see daily wear and tear—like wallpaper, art, lighting, and even window treatments. “You can have a lot of fun with these things and don’t need to worry about your animals ruining them like they might a rug or pillow,” she says.
Of course, you can’t avoid textiles altogether if furry friends live in your home. For items that are more likely to see an occasional muddy paw, Wolf recommends choosing those with designs that are more forgiving. “If a piece has a great pattern on it, stains will kind of disappear,” she says. “Go darker with rugs and printed fabrics, and save lighter shades for the walls.”
She also focuses on the spots pets gravitate toward and considers how those spaces function. “The den is where my kids and Vito spend the most time,” she says. “At the center of the room is a large skirted storage ottoman, and it’s truly the only thing he lies on.” Now that it’s his perch of choice, it also acts as a trunk for holding his toys—along with quilts that can be thrown over the upholstery on rainy days after he’s romped through puddles. “If your pet roams the whole house, consider including one piece of furniture with them in mind,” says Wolf.
by CAMERON BEALL
COURTESY MARY CATHERINE BROWNFIELD