Designing Your Dream Home to Include Your Dog

<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome! This post is for those of you with a dog. I apologize to those of you with a cat or other pet but my only pet experience is with a dog. Maybe some of the dog ideas in this post will translate to ideas that can be used for other pets. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I am joining Julia’s Hooked on Friday Blog Party because I am Hooked on Dogs!  Click <a href="http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/09/17/hooked-on-painted-doors/"><span style="color: red;">here</span></a> to attend the party. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Though the photo below does not allow me to see the entire room, if I had a room designated for my dog I would plan for specific storage for all things dog related: leashes, collars, food, treats, supplements, medicines, bath products, grooming products, towels for drying off after a bath, toys, travel totes or cages, clothes if living in a cold climate, bed, and an outlet if you play music for your dog, blow dry their hair, use an electric dog feeder or an electric heater. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3FPjyNkI/AAAAAAAABPI/buBoGeNL6vQ/s1600-h/IMG_0005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0005" border="0" height="493" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3Fqng3iI/AAAAAAAABPM/OIK-ukFOQn4/IMG_0005_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0005" width="380" /></a></span></span> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^I like the idea of having a Dutch door which allows you to look in on your dog without your dog trying to get out. Note the height of the shower head plus there is a hand held shower for giving your dog a bath. The paw print wallpaper plus the paw print tiles in the shower give this room an identity.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">^Source: The French Connection by Betty Lou Phillips</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I like this chain link fence option for containing a dog. I am not sure if this is located in a garage, in the laundry room, in a mud room, or in a special room for the dog. I like the tile wall which is more durable than sheetrock. There is a faucet on the wall and I assume a drain in the floor which makes cleaning the area easier. I would have preferred a hot and cold water faucet if living in a colder climate so the water temperature can be adjusted when washing your dog. The cabinets above are convenient for storing dog related items. I don’t see an outlet but hope there is one in the area. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3GYRSICI/AAAAAAAABPQ/tTeIFKFAOj0/s1600-h/IMG_0002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0002" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3G6BWPpI/AAAAAAAABPU/hwaLiQ0HoMU/IMG_0002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0002" width="380" /></a> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Source unknown-if you know the source and email me, it will be noted.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3HLLX2YI/AAAAAAAABPY/WGquraCKzFw/s1600-h/IMG%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG" border="0" height="629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3H90jcJI/AAAAAAAABPc/MM61ZmkE-jw/IMG_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG" width="380" /></a> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^How many times have you tripped over a dog bed in your own home or when visiting someone with a dog. The above photo shows a dog house with it’s own window built into the kitchen island. Obviously, the dog that lives in this home is a big part of the family. I like the idea of a built in dog bed area but I think I would have preferred it in a mud room or laundry room instead of in the kitchen. All of you with a dog, what do you think?</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Source unknown- if you know the source and email me, it will be noted. </span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3ILIGewI/AAAAAAAABPg/lv_vo1v-Yk0/s1600-h/IMG_0007%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0007" border="0" height="449" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3Iv_vZoI/AAAAAAAABPk/tMnqcoUVADQ/IMG_0007_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0007" width="380" /></a></span></span> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Doggy doors for two different size dogs are shown in the photos above and below. As I look at the photo above, what comes to mind is safety, as that opening is large enough for a human being to fit through. There are two pieces of hardware on each side of the opening that I assume lock the door. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">It appears the doggy door below has a chain to hold it open. I would prefer one that swings open when the dog pushes on it but can be locked. I like how the doggy door opening is part of the door panel.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3JCLSn_I/AAAAAAAABPo/yqMLAmEoPP8/s1600-h/IMG_0001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0001" border="0" height="493" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3JqI52MI/AAAAAAAABPs/Mt0BQrrqstQ/IMG_0001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0001" width="380" /></a> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Source unknown- if you know the source and email me, it will be noted.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3KJ-0DhI/AAAAAAAABPw/Y3SpGbx8yrM/s1600-h/IMG_0003%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0003" border="0" height="501" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3KsFo_lI/AAAAAAAABP0/tCblXPxJLG8/IMG_0003_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0003" width="380" /></a> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^How clever is this photo showing dried dog food stored in a drawer and below the drawer is an open area for the dog’s food and water bowl. How many times have you tripped over a dog food or water bowl?  I would prefer having the drawer lined in some type of metal or having a metal container that is removable. I would want to make sure the drawer is big enough for an entire bag of dog food to fit. The size of your dog will determine the size of the opening needed to hold the dog’s food and water bowl. Perhaps the area holding the food and water bowl could pull out when feeding your dog. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3LHJ2x7I/AAAAAAAABP4/Wsq70eI0E7A/s1600-h/IMG_0004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0004" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/SrO3LvwFOnI/AAAAAAAABP8/kQzFwCEo8Sg/IMG_0004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0004" width="380" /></a> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Don’t you like the niche created under the oven and warming drawer for the dog’s food and water bowls? </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Source: Beautiful Kitchens Magazine 2006</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I hope this post has stirred your thought process when you design your dream home to include your dog!  Blessings.  …susan</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div>

Designing Your Dream Home to Include Your Dog

Welcome! This post is for those of you with a dog. I apologize to those of you with a cat or other pet but my only pet experience is with a...

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Kitchen: Vertical Storage Option Series Part Three- Storing Dish Towels

<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome to Part Three of my Vertical Storage Option Series. To see Part</span> <span style="color: black;">One, click <span style="color: red;">here</span> and for Part Two <span style="color: red;">here</span>.  In this post, I want to share some photos I have collected showing dish towel storage options for you to consider when designing your dream kitchen. </span><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0001" border="0" height="589" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qmkUAqMI/AAAAAAAABLQ/T5WIac8wyo8/IMG_0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0001" width="390" /></span><span style="color: black;">  </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^In the photo above, attached to the inside of the pull out cabinet front, is a metal dish for holding a sponge or other type of soap pad.  Next to it are some metal rods for hanging dish towels. There appears to be a shelf at the bottom which would be a great  place for dish detergent and dishwasher detergent.  It looks like a fixed panel above which leads me to believe this very functional pull out cabinet front is located directly under the kitchen sink. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Beautiful Kitchens Summer 2009</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0004" border="0" height="526" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qnZ7UboI/AAAAAAAABLY/aFNJ0zj03BI/IMG_0004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0004" width="390" /></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^The pull out cabinet front shown above has the capacity to store numerous folded dish towels. It also includes several wooden bars which give you the option to fold dish towels over these bars.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Great Kitchen Ideas</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG" border="0" height="509" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qoptaiMI/AAAAAAAABLg/WXBpln4YGRM/IMG_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG" width="390" /></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^Similar to the previous cabinet front pull out, this one has three shelves to place folded dish towels. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Kitchen Ideas That Work by Beth Veillette</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0005" border="0" height="624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qptgQByI/AAAAAAAABLo/-CVz-or6nuM/IMG_0005_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0005" width="390" /></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^My first inclination after looking at this photo is to say the opening to this cabinet front pull out should be facing the other direction; towards the kitchen sink. Upon further review,  I realize there is a sink to the right of the drawer.  Still, I am thinking one would need a towel at the kitchen sink more than one at the second sink. Perhaps a master craftsman could figure out a design which would eliminate the side wall which would make this pull out functional from both directions. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: The Smart Approach to Kitchen Design</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0002" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qqZ6X4eI/AAAAAAAABLw/nQUtNxW3IrA/IMG_0002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0002" width="390" /></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^ Above is a convenient option for a towel bar, however, make sure your towel bar does not protrude too far out from the cabinet. If it protrudes too far out you might find it is uncomfortable in your belly or hip region.  </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source unknown: if you know the source of this photo, please contact me and I will note it.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0007" border="0" height="506" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qrTzYoxI/AAAAAAAABL4/MbD-4Om7AA4/IMG_0007_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0007" width="390" /></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^For some reason, I am having trouble wrapping my mind around the above photo. There appears to be high end beautiful cabinetry, yet this opening and plastic coated rods look cheap.  I am not seeing any kind of door to cover the opening when the rods are pushed back into the cabinet.  What do you think?</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Kitchen Ideas That Work by Beth Veillette</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0008" border="0" height="592" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qsFodqqI/AAAAAAAABMA/rUfjXh-Z3Bk/IMG_0008_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0008" width="390" /></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^An interesting built in towel hook. As I study this photo, it appears to me that these hooks are on the low side. What do you think? </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Taunton’s Home Storage Idea Book by Joanne Kellar Bouknight</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0003" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0qs-6SPFI/AAAAAAAABMI/v99wsnpX3y4/IMG_0003_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0003" width="390" /></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^The dish towels hanging on the island in the photo above are both functional and decorative. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source unknown: If you know the source of this photo, please contact me and I will note it. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_0006" border="0" height="444" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jjeZ9ZOFkMY/Sp0quRuFxbI/AAAAAAAABMQ/inIxtR7GGao/IMG_0006_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_0006" width="390" /></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">^This island design gives you a decorative area to hang your dish towel. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Source: Tauton’s Home Storage Idea Book by Joanne Kellar Bouknight</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Please check back for more posts in my Kitchen: Vertical Storage Option Series. Blessings.  …susan</span></span></span></div>

Kitchen: Vertical Storage Option Series Part Three- Storing Dish Towels

Welcome to Part Three of my Vertical Storage Option Series. To see Part One, click here and for Part Two here .  In this post, I want to ...

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