Style for Your Fluffy Friends
As the sweltering summer in NYC comes to a close, I can’t wait for the arrival of cooler days. The fatigue of running a business has caught up with me, and my brain feels like it’s turned to mush. As I sit here, struggling to find inspiration for this newsletter, I find myself at a loss—nothing seems quite exciting enough to share.
Then, I remembered a poll I posted on Instagram a couple of months ago, asking what you’d like to see more of: designs or recipes. While most of you chose one of those options, a larger number of you responded with a different request—you just wanted to see more pictures of Teddy. Well, my friends, your wish is my command!
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting our beautiful Teddy, she’s our (almost) one-year-old Cavapoo. After seven years of berating my love, Dil, to get a dog, he finally promised that we could get one after we got married. Just a month into our marriage, a good friend brought home her adorable pup, Rocky, and I was smitten! Without telling Dil, I immediately put our name on the list for the next litter. A few short weeks later, Teddy arrived, and as Dil put it, "it was love at first sight!"
Right from the beginning, having Teddy in our lives has been nothing short of a blessing, but living in a small NYC apartment with her has come with its fair share of challenges. As an interior decorator, I’ve learned a lot about how to make a space both stylish and functional for pets, so I wanted to share some of the ideas that have really worked for us.
First, let’s talk about those inevitable accidents. With Teddy’s upset stomachs and muddy paws, our rug has definitely seen better days. When designing a room, I always consider the practical needs of the space. Do my clients have kids or pets? Is it a high-traffic area? In our small apartment, our living area has to be durable and adaptable. That’s why I’m a big fan of Ruggable rugs—they’re stylish, affordable, and, best of all, machine-washable. For something a bit more luxurious, I also love Nordic Knots. Their rugs are on the pricier side, but the quality and playful patterns are worth the investment for a home that looks great and stands the test of time.
Now, onto storage—an absolute must when you have a pet. I use stacking baskets near our front door to keep essentials like leashes, harnesses, and poop bags easily accessible. Our house has a lot of dark features so I opted for black baskets, but I would always suggest going for baskets that match your decor and blend into what you have in your space. For less frequently used items like dog shampoo and extra food, I rely on IKEA Billy cabinets. I love how I can display my herbs, spices, and pastas on the shelves while keeping Teddy’s supplies neatly tucked away and out of sight.
Lastly, let’s discuss dog beds. We initially splurged on a chic bed for Teddy, which she adored…until she decided our bed was more her style! While there’s nothing wrong with a traditional dog crate, if you have the space, why not make it stylish? We found a beautiful crate from WLO, which has become a favorite when our friend Allie’s dog, Beanie, comes over. Beanie loves it, and it still adds a touch of elegance to our space. Meanwhile, my back hurts from being pushed off my bed while Teds is sprawled out having the most luxurious sleep of her life.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about decorating with a puppy, it’s that nothing compares to the love I have for our Teddy. She could tear up my sofa or ruin our cabinets, and I would still cherish her more than any of those things. They can be replaced—she can’t. My advice is simple: create a beautiful home, but don’t stress if it’s not always picture-perfect. Enjoy every moment with your furry friends, and if they make a mess, clean it up and move on. Life’s too short to worry about a rug—so settle in for a cuddle session and savor the time you have with them!
