Designing dedicated pet spaces for modern homes has never been so much fun!
In fact, this growing trend even has its own name. Welcome to the world of ‘Barkiteture’, where including our furry friends is a practical reality.
The barkitecture craze began with the rich and famous, when Paris Hilton built a deluxe mansion for her dogs. It was a miniature replica of her own home, complete with air conditioning, bespoke furniture and a chandelier!
Karl Lagerfeld’s fabulous cat, Choupette, had two personal maids, charged with pandering to her every need and brushing out her fabulous fur up to four times every day. The world’s most pampered pussycat slept in her own bed and travelled by private jet.
The practice of catering for our four-legged housemates, and in some cases, office companions has officially gone viral. Stylish pet homeware now includes everything from boucle beds to cat couches and bone China doggie dinner bowls.
Here are four tips on designing a pet-friendly home that’s stylish and functional, and not entirely over the top:
Focus on flooring
Natural textured flooring is an absolute must. Pet owners should avoid highly polished, slippery marble and scratch-prone hardwoods. Sliding pets can wreak havoc on furniture and walls. Rather opt for flooring options that are easy to clean, but not too glossy.
‘For interiors, choose tiles with a natural finish and a R9 or R10 friction value,’ explains Johan Drom van Tonder, Chief of Operations at Stiles.
The Dolomia tile is a porcelain tile with the soft, intertwining veined look of natural stone. The Industrial tile is a large format rectified tile with a cement look and a natural finish. These surfaces will prevent skidding and skating by clumsy pooches.
‘Tiles with friction values higher than R11 will be unsuitable for interiors,’ explains Drom, ‘as they are more difficult to clean. They work best in settings where they can be scrubbed with running water and a strong broom.’
If installing a durable engineered hardwood, such as flooring from the Oak Range, Drom advises protecting it from pet damage with a commercial polyurethane coating. Real wood has a natural warmth, and this range is compliant with underfloor heating, sure to keep human toes and pet paws toasty in winter.
Perfectly pampered pooches
While our furry friends are truly part of the family, the sand, dirt, dust and hair that they deposit in our homes is a horror story.
Designing with pets in mind should include a dedicated pet cleaning station. Depending on the size of the pet, homeowners could opt for either a deep sink or a fully tiled doggy shower and wet room, equipped with underfloor heating and dryers.
Tiling is the best surface solution for boot rooms, as it is durable, easy to clean and is available in a huge range of colours and designs.
Dog lovers will love the funky and fun Oh My Dog! tiles. The bold graphics are goofy and gorgeous. Consider extending the tiles right to the ceiling for those dreaded wet-dog ‘shake-offs’.
Pet wash station
‘Small dog owners can choose the Franke LuxTub,’ says Adele Swart, Sanware Buyer and CSO at Stiles, ‘this trough-style sink will easily accommodate a small breed dog.’
Pair it with the Frank Saturn, this stainless steel kitchen mixer has an adjustable and retractable nozzle. Pooch pampering can be taken up a notch with the Hansgrohe DogShower. This shower head has three spray types, namely fur spray, leg spray and paw spray, and is available in pink, black and white.
Felines first
The ‘purrfect’ home for cat owners will include dedicated feeding and kitty litter zones. Add serious ‘cattitude’ to a mudroom with the practical and creative Oh My Cat! tiles.
Exclusive to Stiles, these porcelain tiles show cats with a range of fun facial expressions. The tiles have a satin finish and can be applied to wall and floor surfaces. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, they will also elevate countertops in veterinary surgeries, creches and medical practices.
Visit any of the Stiles’ showrooms to view these products in person or visit their website here to find out more.
Also read:
Picture: Supplied
