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Nell Hills

It’s a Dog’s Life: Decorating Around Your Best Friend

Dan and I don’t fight over who is the head of the household. That power position is undisputedly held by Lyric, our golden retriever. We inherited this sweet pooch from some dear friends, and within minutes, she had stolen our hearts … and taken over our home. After a few dog-free years, piles of hair and muddy footprints are once again a part of my life.  I’ve gotten pretty good at not only decorating around a dog, but also celebrating our canine companion in our décor. Here’s how you can, too: 

Pretty Protection from Your Pooch

Meet Lyric. When we adopted her, Dan was determined that this golden would be his dog, since our last dog bonded more closely with me. So he set about winning her affections by spoiling her rotten. It worked. She follows him like a shadow throughout our home. She goes with him to work, riding shotgun in the front seat. In fact, I refuse to ride in his car anymore because it’s so doggy. Our sofa, Lyric’s favorite bed, would be just as bad if I hadn’t figured out my favorite dog-hair-protection trick: Cover the back and seat of the sofa with a washable quilt.

Instead of covering your gorgeous sofa with a sheet to protect it from your pets, try my trick instead: Get a twin sized washable quilt, drop it behind the sofa about 8 inches then drape the remainder over the back and seat of the sofa, tucking it in at the back of the cushions. If your dog sleeps on the sofa, tuck the tail of the quilt under the front of the cushions. If your dog sleeps on the floor but rests against the sofa, extend the quilt to the ground, like a skirt. When the quilt gets dirty, hairy or smells like dog, just throw it in the wash. I have a stash of three quilts so I always have a clean one in the wings in case we have unexpected guests.

Another great option is to cover your upholstered furniture with outdoor fabrics that clean up easily. Some of our customers like to get slipcovers made for their furniture or seat cushions that they can zip off and launder.

 

Best of Show

People who love dogs – and even those who do not – often like to use images of dogs in their décor. I’m crazy about hunt club styling, especially in the fall, so I couldn’t resist these Spode dishes that feature hunting hounds. The fall colors are ideal for our richly layered tabletop.

When I do a thematic tablescape like this one, I like to have a bit of fun by poking in a whimsical element or two to make guests smile. These zany 3D dog mugs were just the ticket!

You could mix and match an assortment of breeds or set the table with your favorite.

 

Accent pillows are a great way to add a bit of your own personality–and your dog’s–to your décor.

How about tossing in a pillow that features your dog’s breed? (Could you say no to these eyes?)

 

Artwork featuring dogs is a classic. Pick a large piece to hang over a buffet or sofa.

Or create a display that pulls in diverse works of art that revolve around a central theme, like we did here at Nell Hill’s.

 

Like any thematic décor, a little bit goes a long way, so pick and choose your dog-related accents wisely. Maybe a figurine on an end table?

 

Some Dog-gone Cute Stuff …

I’m always on the hunt for unique home décor, distinctive pieces that will set your home apart. This year at market, I lost my heart to Seven Barks Fine Goods and their crazy cute line of dog-themed paper products. Their tag line says it all: “Fabulously fun. Seriously useful. Dedicated to our four footed friends.”

Designed and produced in the United States, these high quality stationary products feature vintage images of dogs and are made from recycled paper. We are having fun working the products into our fall displays at Nell Hill’s, including a dog-themed dining table.

If you are planning a dinner party, wrap party favors in this cute gift wrap. If you are going to a dinner party, hang a dog-tag on a bottle of wine for the host.

 

Treats for Fido & You

Dog essentials don’t have to be boring. In fact, they can enhance your décor. Lyric uses these blue and white ceramic dog bowls. I also like to keep dog food and dog treats in pretty containers, like this lidded jar or glass apothecary jars. Where do you keep your dog’s leash? Instead of stuffing it in a drawer, hang it on a pretty hook by your door.

Many dogs like a private place to curl up and take a nap. Instead of a kennel, why not treat Spot to his own pup tent?

 

Finally … Let’s Clear the Air

Let’s face it: Dogs can be stinky sometimes. If guests are coming, or if you just want to clear the air, light a Pickwick & Co. candle. This fall, Pickwick created a scent just for Nell Hill’s called Gathering, a beautiful blend of cloves and oranges. It will be burning in my home this fall so that Lyric is not what guests smell when they come to visit.

Next Week … I’ll have a step-by-step guide to creating an appetizer display that will dazzle your guests.

 

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Comments

  1. I loved this post! Your quilt idea is a much more elegant solution than our current method: wooden oars placed across the couch and love seat to keep the dog off. And no, we don’t have a nautical theme going on in the family room. Lol

    I also noticed and loved the canine touches in the Briarcliff store the last time I was there. Particularly those small, herringbone pillows with dogs on them.

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  2. Do you have the 3-D mugs for sale? I wish you had a website so we could order direct from you. If you have the mugs, I would love to know what dogs are represented and prices. I do not live
    nearby and see items on the blog but have no way of knowing if I can order them from you.

    Reply

  3. I’m a quilter so why didn’t I think of that? Thanks. When I was recovering from Cancer I had the lab and cat on the sofa for comfort and warmth. Now however, they think that is their new home. A cotton throw with carrots on it may be the dogs favorite blanket but company? I get some funny looks so thanks for the new idea. I’m stil going to try and train them to stay off the sofa. Wish me luck!
    Kate

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  4. Mary Carol, I have look everywhere for plaid fabric like the pillows on your sofa!
    Need enough to reupholster our 2 Archie Bunker recliners. Do you carry that plaid at Nell Hill’s? Anything similar? Love your blog — and your store. Wish you were my next door neighbor.

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  5. Do you have the dog mugs in the following….
    – Yorkie
    – Carine Terrier
    – Minature Greyhound
    – Maltese

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  6. I love this!! I have the Spode Black Labrador Retriever plates and hope to add to those. These are for our Molly. When the Briarcliff store opened, I found a Black Labrador Retriever print, beautifully matted and framed and brought it home. The Lab looks just like Molly right down to the ears. Molly has non typical Lab ears.:-)

    Thanks so much for all your inspiration and many good times exploring the stores and seeing your home!
    Pat (east Missouri)

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  7. Loved this post! Thanks for posting a REAL post for those of us who are fortunate enough to have a dog as a member of our family! I love the quilt idea-I have been using a coverlet and it is EASY to wash and replace! I loved the Spode dog series and love mixing it with their traditional Turkey pattern in the fall. Thanks for all of your inspiration!

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  9. all your posts are wonderfully informative but this one “hits the spot” for us…I have indoor/outdoor fabric on our upholstered pieces BUT it looks “gray” after a while …the quilt idea is the answer — even with slipcovers…. merci,

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  10. I have two labs & they both love the sofas! I use a thin quilt & alternate with a colorful fleece blanket ( which is great for me to stick my cold toes under!) and I won’t ride in my husbands old sedan either! Too much doggy hair & smell! Wish I were close by to try the candles but hope to find some in my area.

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  11. I love all your stories about how you live with you pooches! Thanks so much for sharing.
    Julie, does the oars trick work on messy husbands? If so, I’m getting a pair!
    Kate, the picture of your dog and cat snuggled up with you as your fought cancer warmed my heart. Be strong and keep fighting, girl!!
    To answer a few questions…
    SoRelle and Marla, just about everything you see pictured on my blog and FaceBook is available at Nell Hill’s. But our inventory changes constantly, which is one of the cool things about our stores. To find out about anything you see in a photo, or that you’re looking for to decorate you home, just give us a call at 877-746-4320. We ship!
    Sherry, we have gobs and gobs of gorgeous plaid fabric by the yard at our Nell Hill’s Briarcliff location. If you are in the area, come on it and see! If you are out of town, give us a call at 877-746-4320 and let us know what you are looking for – we’re excited to help!

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  13. We have so much of your furniture that I put outdoor chair pads on the kitchen chairs and also the Dining Room Chairs. . I would love to buy the chair pads from you, is this something that can be made at your store? . My 3 labs all love to sleep on your pillows so I also have spare pillow covers. . Just an FYI any of your staff will help in selecting furniture that is pet friendly. . Thanks for your blog.

    Reply

  14. Mary Carol –
    I’m so very excited to see our Seven Barks products featured here! I remember when you came to our booth at the Atlanta gift mart and saw these items. I was so excited to meet you, as you were one of the people on my “must meet” list and I was so hoping that you’d stop by and be charmed by our line. Thank you for this lovely, lovely post. As always, you make all of this look irresistible! I hope you’ll stop and see us in January!
    Linda

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  15. Glad to hear that there is a very lucky dog in your home now. They do make us complete, you know. Will adopt your quilt idea. I also have used painter drop cloths to save the sofa. They are neutral in color and get softer with each washing.
    I am long overdue for a trip to your store because I live a couple of hours away, but those candles you mentioned are calling my name. Road trip soon. Thanks for your blog. It gets read before the morning paper – much happier news.

    Reply

  17. Gail and Jacqueline, we do sell the dog cups. Stop by the store or give us a call at 877-746-4320 to see if we have your favorite breed.
    Cheryl, so glad to know the Nell Hill’s pillows are dog approved 🙂 . Just give us a call about the pads – we’d love to help. 877-746-4320.
    Annie, the candles are divine – we look forward to seeing you!

    Reply

  18. Great post! I do not have a dog, but I have two cats. They love my furniture! I use quilts also, and sometimes a towel over the back of the chairs as one of them likes to sleep….on the back of the chair. This saves constant cleaning and the towel goes in the laundry. I also use a quilt on my bed over the spread as both cats like to sleep on it. This saves my bedspread from constant laundering. Guests to my home would be surprised if they walked in and found my furniture naked! I do try to keep my “cat covers” tasteful and color-coordinated with my furniture. My cats definitely rule my home, but I would’t have it any other way. Thanks for your great ideas.

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  22. I would love to purchase the gathering candles if you have them available or have a website that I can purchase from

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  23. Mary Carol,
    Your blog always makes me itch to trek across the state to see what’s new at Nell Hills! Check out my board “Details” on Pinterest: (LocustHillDolly), to see how I kitty-proof my white, linen-slipped, Lee chairs by making a bib that gets thrown in the wash (or at least thrown in the closet) when company comes. I still have the childhood vision of my dad swearing he was “going to kill that cat” after an elegant gentleman in a black suit stood up with his rear end covered with my Ting Tang’s cat hair!

    Reply

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