Pets Have Needs Too!
Designing a Pet-Friendly Space for Dogs and Cats
Greetings!

Many of us have been spending more time at home with our pets these days, and we all know they love the extra attent ion. But have you considered their needs when you start thinking of remodeling or building? There are plenty of fun and funky solutions you can incorporate into your kitchen, bath, laundry room or mudroom design to help your furry family members feel safe at home, without sacrificing the functionality and aesthetic beauty of your new space. CHW is here to help you with that!

Our employees are either working remotely, meeting in your home or meeting in a sanitary way with our clients in our showroom (by appointment only). So when you are ready to start your pet-friendly project, contact us to set up a free consultation.

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Creature "Comforts" That Blend Into Your New Space
Whether you're a dog person or a cat person, one thing is certain, we love our four-legged family members! If you have a treasured pet, it's important to make your home as safe as possible for them. If you're planning on remodeling your kitchen or other cabinet area of your home, you might want to consider some of the various ways to create the perfect pet-friendly kitchen. It's important to think about your pets when remodeling. Some of the elements we take for granted can be absolutely dangerous to our furry friends. 

Here are some fabulous tips and ideas for designing the perfect pet-friendly kitchen, covering everything from flooring and storage, to appliances and design that both you and your fur babies will love!
Creature Comforts
If your dog is anything like ours, they want to be around the family no matter what you're doing or where you are. In the kitchen, this can be dangerous, for example, if you're carrying a hot pot and there's a sleeping dog lying around! If you're having your kitchen remodeled, why not incorporate a dedicated space for a built-in bed into your design. It's the perfect way for your pet to be a part of the action, while they're in their own out of the way safe space. An integrated dog bed is the perfect space saver that also allows your pup to be a part of the action without getting in the way!

Want to have dinner as a family? Cat or Dog bowls laying around the kitchen are not only unsightly and unsanitary, but they can also be a tripping hazard. Bulk bags of dog food or cans of cat food can take up valuable space in the pantry that could be used for "people food." Why not include a dedicated feeding station to have all of your pet paraphernalia - food, toys, leashes, and treats – in one central location? Our design team will help ensure you have the proper type and amount of storage to suit your needs.

Consider Your Flooring Choices
Your project will most likely including new flooring. Take your pet into consideration when making your choice. Not only the type of material (to avoid scratches and damage) but also the color. Especially if your dog or cat tends to shed. White hair on dark tile means a lot of cleaning! So as you can see, finding the best flooring for dogs and cats is important. Here are some great pet-friendly flooring choices.
Tile
Tile is generally the best choices for your pets. They're water-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean, and you don't have to worry about them scratching or damaging your floors. While they're convenient and pet friendly, they aren't the most comfortable for your pets. Tile can be hard and cold so you may want to have a soft rug or door bed for them.
Cork Flooring
Cork is an excellent choice for pet owners. It resembles hardwood, and it's antimicrobial. That means if your pet has an accident, it's less likely to lead to the growth of bacteria, mold, or allergens. Another benefit is that cork absorbs sound. If you love your pet, but the sounds of his or her claws clicking on the floor are slowly driving you crazy, cork is an excellent option! Cork is also scratch-resistant. However, that doesn't mean it won't' scratch so keep your pet's nails trimmed.
Bamboo
Like cork, bamboo is a great option if you're looking for a natural wood look. It's extremely durable, scratch and stain resistant so you can let your pets run free. Just make sure to choose the right bamboo. Look for one with a high rating for hardness as determined by the Janka Test. Strand woven bamboo holds up the best.  Bamboo flooring is easy to maintain and food and water spills won't damage them if cleaned up properly. Plus as a bonus, bamboo is very sustainable, so you're not only doing something great for your pet, you're also doing something good for the environment. Overall, bamboo is a great choice at an excellent price point.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in both tiles (LVT) and vinyl planks (LVP). It can mimic the look of natural stone tile or hardwood, but it's easier on both your pets... and your budget! Luxury vinyl is very durable. It holds up well against accidents, food, and water spills. In fact, most LVP and LVT are water-resistant and some are waterproof. It's easy to maintain, and soft under little pet paws.

Pet Safe Appliances
While you might spend a lot of time hanging out in the kitchen with your family and friends, having coffee, or doing homework, the core activity for every kitchen is cooking. If your cat loves jumping up on the counter to see what you're up to. If that sounds like your cat, you may want to consider an induction cooktop . They're not only more energy efficient, but they also heat pans using magnets so they only heat the pot or pan, never the cooktop. This will keep your pet's delicate paw pads safe!
If you're planning a remodeling project contact the award-winning design experts at CHW . Our design team will get to know you, understand your lifestyle (and your pets), and help you to design and create the perfect space to meet your family's specific needs!
This Month's Feature Recipe
Refreshing Watermelon Salad
It's time for those outdoor cookouts and great cold refreshing salads to go with them! Enjoy this recipe and it travels well for taking it to picnics.
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 cup sliced red onion, cut lengthwise
  • 15 cups cubed watermelon 
  • 3 cups cubed English cucumber 
  • 1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 pinch cracked black pepper
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, pour lime juice over red onions. Allow to marinate while assembling the salad.
  2. Gently combine the watermelon, cucumber, feta cheese, and cilantro in a large bowl. Season with black pepper. Toss watermelon salad with marinated onions and season with sea salt just before serving.

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Carolina Handcrafted Woodworks, LLC .
1819 Two Notch Rd
Lexington, SC 29073
Ph: 803-520-6837
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