You Can Have Kids, Pets, AND a Gorgeous, Designer Home...Here's How
Your home needs to work with your lifestyle. For most of my clients, that lifestyle includes adult kids, kids, grandkids, pets, summer guests, the sun, sand, and the ocean. People are always coming and going. Your house should hold up to all of the activities of your friends and family.
So today, I’m sharing 3 surface areas that can look fantastic and stand up to high-traffic areas…
1. High-Quality, Durable Flooring
Be realistic with yourself when selecting flooring. For example, how much maintenance are you willing to put up with, and how much patina can you handle? I love seeing reclaimed wood flooring, an already lived-in look, for clients comfortable with additional scuffs from pets and life.
Porcelain is an excellent option in bathrooms, as it cleans up nicely and is durable for high traffic. When choosing rugs, I always recommend high-quality wool. It has natural lanolin for protection, can be cleaned, and bounces back, so it's less likely to look worn. Please avoid anything with viscose, it's pretty and cost-efficient, but it can't handle a sloppy crowd.
2. Performance Fabric for your Furniture
I use a lot of high-performance fabrics in most of my projects. I look for high rub counts, tight weaves with quality fibers, and finishes that provide extra protection. Indoor/outdoor fabrics are essential for high-traffic furniture, and lately, the choices are so beautiful they rival the look of natural fibers.
If the desired fabric isn't necessarily high-performance, I suggest having a fiber protection service treat it. They will do this in the house, and it only takes a few hours. You can apply fiber protection to all upholstery, bedding, carpets, and soft window treatments (custom treatments are always worth the investment). I highly recommend it as it saves time to blot up any spills and allows for easier seasonal deep cleaning.
3. strong Selections for Daily Surfaces
There are many options for durable and beautiful surfaces in your home. For example, you can select wipable paint. Just specify that with your painter. You can also add architectural details like paneling up to a chair rail for extra durability on the walls with the lower crowd (little hands and dog noses leave marks everywhere!).
Quartz countertops are easy to clean and more durable than a more porous marble. I even avoid glass tables because fingerprints and everything else shows up on them. Instead, stick with woods and extra durable finishes or my favorite reclaimed and distressed.
Accidents will happen! Not everything is party-proof. When I work with clients, we discuss their tolerance for maintenance and what kind of lifestyle their house needs to endure. My goal is to select and bring together pieces that will stand the test of time both aesthetically and liveability. As a result, you can have a beautiful house where all guests will feel welcome, and you will feel at ease.
If you're ready for a home that supports everyday life (even when it gets messy), I would be honored to help. Reach out, and let's chat!
Until next time,
Molly