Carpeting and flooring are also a top consideration—the more durable and easy to clean,
the better. The list of must-have flooring includes laminate, stone, marble, bamboo and cork.
For homeowners leaning toward hardwood, bamboo or carpet, each will need to be properly
pre-treated to protect from soiling. If you want to provide your pet with the ultimate in luxury,
there is furry-friendly furniture that will make your dog sit—and stay—including chic, furlined chairs, cool cat trees and exercise or pop-up playpens. While pet pampering is all the
rage for inside, it doesn’t stop at the screen door. When it’s time to gather the family outside
for a backyard picnic, lemonade on the deck, or a dip in the pool, your dog or cat can stay cool
shaded under a pavilion pet gazebo, a way to keep pets close by without the worry of them
getting away or having to be put in the doghouse.
INDOOR-OUTDOOR CONNECTIVITY
Decked Out
Your living space doesn’t have to be contained within the four corners of your home. Discover
the flow of open-concept living that expands from beyond the kitchen and den and into the
great outdoors. Creating an all-in-one space—where there is an indoor-outdoor connectivity—
is more on trend than ever. From a design perspective, you can start at the door with a grand
entrance. If you don’t already have a suitable entryway, consider building French-style doors
that lead onto your deck. You want the outdoor space in your home to transform into another
living room with the addition of a few key pieces and accessories.
Start from the floor up and begin sectioning off areas to create more interest and to give the
illusion of more space. The easiest way to accomplish this is with area rugs. A natural jute rug is
one of the most outdoor-friendly styles you can use. From here, you can position a decorative
table and accessorize by placing lanterns and potted plants along its center. Grouping chairs
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