Interior designer Kari Whitman chats with us about her new TV show, designing pet-friendly interiors for the stars, and her foundation for rescued animals.

By Jason A. Heidemann

As far as we’re concerned, Kari Whitman has it all. The successful interior designer has her own firm (www.KariWhitmanInteriors.com), is redesigning homes for the stars in her new television program The Kari Whitman Show on the WE network, and is anything but soft-spoken in her devotion to the animals. She is the president and founder of Ace of Hearts (www.AceOfHeartsDogs.com), an L.A.-based organization that rescues dogs on the day they are to be euthanized and places them in loving homes. Whitman spoke to us from Los Angeles about her passion for animals, pet-friendly interiors, and the Bulldog mix who started it all.

How is the show going? Tell us about it.
It gets a little bit hectic, but the rooms are turning out amazing, and everyone is happy, so I can’t ask for anything more.

Do you find that your clients call upon you specifically because of your expertise in pet-friendly home design?
Occasionally this happens, but more often than not I’ll get clients who don’t already have dogs, and before the job is over, they usually fall victim to a sad pair of pooch eyes and adopt a dog from my foundation Ace of Hearts.

You live in Los Angeles. What’s the pet community like there?
L.A. is very pet-friendly, and West Hollywood, where I currently reside, is even more so. West Hollywood was the second city in the country to change the identity of pet owners from “pet owner” to “pet guardian.” My hometown of Boulder, Colorado, was actually the first. The idea is to encourage people to think of pets not as property, but as living beings.

Is the stereotype true of celebrities toting around designer doggies like they’re accessories?
As for celebrities and the designer-dog craze, there is definitely some of that, but I try to encourage people, celebrities included, that rescue is the way to go. Stars like Jessica Alba, who adopted a dog from my foundation, understand the importance of rescue and will hopefully [continue] the rescue trend.

What’s the biggest complaint that your clients have when it comes to maintaining a beautiful home while sharing company with a pet?
The biggest concern that clients have is their pooch getting hair on the sofa, but I have many pointers for that. You can get Fido his own sofa or even put a throw on one side on the couch, and these are just a couple...

What’s the best advice you can offer to the universal complaint about cats scratching the furniture?
Aside from giving your feline alternatives to your furniture, I recommend getting cat-nail caps, which are the humane way to deal with cat-scratching issues. They are plastic caps that you apply to your cat’s nails, and cats barely notice them (www.SoftPaws.com).

Tell us about Ace of Hearts and about Ace the dog.
Ace was an amazing American Bulldog mix that I rescued from a Los Angeles shelter, and he was the true love of my life. Ace touched so many lives, and loved everyone—people, cats, rabbits. He died at 14 of cancer, and I was heartbroken, so I decided to turn that sadness into something positive, and I started the Ace of Hearts Foundation. To date, I have saved over a thousand dogs in Ace’s honor.

Can you share one of your favorite success stories?
Buckley is definitely on my list of favorites. He’s an American Bulldog who was rescued from the Riverside animal shelter. Buckley was in bad shape—he been rat-poisoned, and had internal bleeding and a number of other health concerns. Buckley is a tribute to homeopathic medicine, which I believe in whole-heartedly. Instead of using steroids, I treated him with fresh-cooked liver and vitamin K supplements. We were able to nurse him back to health, and get him a home with actress Judy Greer (Arrested Development, Love Monkey)!

Do you have any pets at the moment?
Yes, of course! I have Lucy and Madison, who are both rescues. Madison was found at four weeks of age wandering the streets of Watts (one of L.A.’s highest kill areas for dogs). I rescued her, but then she got parvo from the vaccination and nearly died. Lucy had been badly abused when I got her, and it took nearly a year for her to trust me. Now we’re all inseparable—one big happy family!

There have been stories of people who gave up their pet because he didn’t match the decor. What would you say to someone like that?
First of all, I would never work with someone like that. It’s such a selfish attitude to have towards an animal who loves you unconditionally. When you get a pet, you’re making a commitment to take that pet and care for him for the rest of his life, regardless of moving, changing your home decor, or any other reason for that matter! I recommend that people match their decor to their pets, instead of the other way around!

If you could be any kind of dog, which kind would you be?
Definitely a mutt, because they live longer, they have fewer health issues, they have the most character, and they’re the cutest! And if I were a dog, I’d most definitely be spayed. It’s so irresponsible to bring more puppies into this world when L.A. county kills nearly 500 every day. I believe the real answer to pet overpopulation is to spay and neuter.

Kari Whitman’s
10 Dog-friendly Design Tips

1. Choose washable paint with a satin finish instead of a flat finish to keep your walls looking fresh and clean.

2. When choosing upholstery, select colors that closely match your dog. If you have a white dog, pick a white or light-colored fabric. If you have a multicolored dog, patterns and tweeds are less likely to show signs of shedding.

3. Use stain-resistant fabrics such as Crypton, or opt for washable fabrics like ultrasuede or pleather, which look like the real thing.

4. In pet-feeding areas, hard surfaces are your best option. Ceramic tile, concrete, and Pergo flooring (which looks just like wood) are recommended. Also, choose a feeding station that doubles as a storage container for convenience.

5. Choose a feeding station that not only matches your decor, but allows your dog to stand in an upright position, as it will be easier on his joints. There are a variety of options on the market in wrought iron, wood, and faux stone.

6. Find a unique storage bin for your dog’s toys like a big basket or a vintage crate.

7. If you choose hardwood flooring, beech, bamboo, and recycled teak are hardwoods that will be more scratch-resistant than other varieties. Be sure to seal your hardwood floors with polyurethane to prevent urine-odor retention.

8. Place mats inside and outside of doggie doors to reduce the amount of dirt and debris being tracked into your home.

9. If you plan on bathing your pet at home, install a handheld shower spray in the bathroom.

10. The best way to maintain a beautiful home with the company of your pooch is to make sure he gets plenty of exercise.