Design in Depth: Gone to the Dogs

June 29, 2011

By Stacy Kunstel

For some a house isn’t complete without the requisite wainscoting or Carrara countertops, a prominent fireplace or Bisazza tile in the bath. For me, I can’t call it a home until it houses a dog. We’ve encountered a number of New England Home readers who feel the same way. I often talk to homeowners who base their design decisions around their pets, choosing more durable or washable fabrics so the furry members of the family aren’t banished to the floor. Designing around dogs isn’t for everyone, but it certainly is fun to photograph dogs in beautiful settings!

In our current Cape & Islands issue, the LEED-certified historic home of Michele Kolb and Eric Rosenberg on Nantucket is further embellished by Chelsea, their standard poodle.

Photo by Michael Partenio; click to see more

Interior designer Wendy Valliere insisted on posing with her two Norwich terriers, Teddy and Elsie. Even in her gorgeous interiors those two, along with her black Bouvier des Flandres, have the run of the house!

Photo by Michael Partenio; click to see more

One of the most memorable dogs in a past shoot was Luna the Italian greyhound owned by Mindy Schwartz, a designer in Maine who also owns High Road Antiques. Luna was simply born to pose.

Photo by Laura Moss for Country Living magazine

Photo by Laura Moss for Country Living magazine

One of my own dogs, Lizzie, an English springer spaniel, made her own interiors debut in an ad for Wainscot Solutions. I really wish I’d had her groomed better that day, but she’s a country dog at heart.