Note from the Editor
Lately I’ve been on a mission to pare down. It is unbelievable how much “stuff” our family of five accumulates. I am much more discerning about what I keep or bring home, and think twice before I buy something new. The focus is on quality over quantity.
Living with an animal (or two or three) means even more thought must go into decorating. The goal is to provide a comfortable, yet functional space for the animals, while maintaining a clean and inviting environment. It’s a delicate balance to accommodate both human and furry needs.
For example, I am engaged in an ongoing battle with our two cats about appropriate places to go to the bathroom. I think it’s one of a few litterbox choices. They seem to be more open, and their favorite spots include the bathtub, bath mat, plastic bins filled with Barbies, and even the occasional pile of laundry. As we race around the house each evening removing desirable targets, it is clear who is winning.
Add to the litterbox issue some of our felines’ other habits and you can understand why our home is filled with temporary area rugs from Target. We buy a new one at least once a year, since the second we bring it home it gets peed on, puked on, and shredded. I gaze at catalogs filled with yummy, fluffy, light-colored rugs with envy. One can dream, can’t she?
But purging the clutter has great benefits. As the saying goes: less is more. Living in a more organized home has opened up much more than just physical space. By clearing out unnecessary objects my family and I are finding it easier to relax, work, and play in our home. And as I learned in Katie Marsico’s Feng Shui article on page 23, it is better for our pets as well.
This issue is full of great ideas to make your home a haven for you and your pets, while looking fabulous, of course. People who live with companion animals are now demanding more style, eco-friendly choices, and high-quality materials. And the industry is responding by giving us exactly what we want. Having just returned from a pet-industry trade show in Las Vegas, I can assure you, there are amazing choices at every price point.
While I’d love to splurge on the latest and greatest, coolest and cushiest new pet furniture out there, I am again at the mercy of my cats. When it comes to beds, they pee on anything we bring home for the dogs. And as for their own style solutions, they consistently seek out the ever-so-popular cardboard box as a favorite spot for cat naps. Good thing I have three creative little girls…it’s astonishing what these budding designers can do with a box of Crayolas!
It’s all about compromise—
Janice Brown,
Founder and Editorial Director
