The pandemic brought many new things... not the least of which is the "Covid Dog." Since so many of our clients tend to have dogs, we thought it helpful to share some of our favorite ways to streamline their needs into the design of a modern family's home.
While the term "bark-itecture" was originally coined to specifically mean the design of doghouses, the pandemic seems to have expanded it to mean the incorporation of the dog's essentials (or not-so-essentials) into the design of the home.
Here are some of our faves:
As if the in-island bowls aren't great enough (the bowls are always getting kicked in my house) the faucet is absolutely clutch for easy refills. If you don't have space like this, bowls can be built into a large drawer that slides away when not being used.
A dog-washing station, elevated for ease, can be created with a pullout staircase for small or aging dogs.
Not that we'd want to keep this adorable crew out, but one of my favorite ways to keep dogs (and kids, by the way) corralled is with sliding pocket or barn doors or one of our favorite design elements: dutch doors.
Speaking of doors, the dog door is something I personally wouldn't live without. Not having to get out of bed to put the dogs out is pure decadence for us... and our dogs, by the way. There are energy efficient versions and versions that unlock via an e-collar that the dog wears if you're concerned about safety.
All dog doors are most sturdy if you install them right into an exterior wall but they can also be built into your human doors.
And last but not least... performance fabrics for when the rest of your family completely ignores your "no-dogs-on-the-couch" rule too. 🤷♀️
