Creating a Home You’re Proud Of, Even With Pets

Episode Title: Creating a Home You’re Proud Of, Even With Pets
Host: Amy Castro
Guest: Pamela O’Brien
Summary: Amy talks with award-winning designer Pamela O’Brien about practical ways to create a stylish, functional home that stands up to real life with pets. They cover fabrics, flooring, rugs, walls, entryway organization, feeding setups, and creating pet zones, with tips that work at multiple budgets.
Links (show + guest): PetParentHotline.com | PamelaHopeDesigns.com
Transcript Note: Lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Chapters:
00:00 Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
02:08 Balancing Style and Pet Ownership
03:32 Choosing the Right Fabrics
08:08 Flooring and Rugs for Pet Owners
15:14 Managing Walls and Surfaces
24:23 Organizing Entryways and Mud Rooms
28:43 Creative Feeding Solutions for Pets
33:32 Establishing Pet Zones in the Home
41:27 Final Tips for a Pet-Friendly Home

Transcript

Amy Castro (00:01)
Ever feel like your home just screams, I live with animals? Between the fur tumbleweeds, the scratched up trim, and that smell you just cannot quite identify, it is easy for a pet-friendly home to start feeling more like a zoo. But you do not have to choose between having pets and having a beautiful home. Today, we are talking about simple, realistic ways to create a home that works for both you and your pets, without breaking the bank or your design aesthetic. So stay tuned.

Pamela O’Brien (00:28)
You.

Amy Castro (00:54)
Hey there, I am Amy Castro, and as you know, this is the Pet Parent Hotline. Around here, we talk about real life pet parenting because, let’s be honest, most of us want homes that feel comfortable, clean, and maybe a little stylish, even with dogs, cats, and chaos in the mix. I have lost count of how many times I have heard people say, I cannot have nice things, I have pets. Sometimes I feel that way too, but I know it does not have to be that way. You can have a beautiful home and still live peacefully with your pets. It just takes a little planning, some boundaries, and some smart design choices. So today we are diving into exactly that, how to make your home pet friendly without looking like a kennel.
My guest today, Pamela O’Brien, is an award-winning luxury interior designer, writer, and speaker who has been celebrated in publications like House Beautiful, The Houston Chronicle, and The Wall Street Journal for mastering the art and science of designing custom spaces that put the client first. For more than 20 years, Pamela has been recognized for building powerful partnerships with her clients and vendors, many of whom become long-term friends and collaborators. So Pamela, welcome to the show.

Pamela O’Brien (02:08)
Thank you for having me, delighted to be here.

Amy Castro (02:11)
I have been wanting to do this episode for a long time because it is something that I personally struggle with. I am sure you have friends and clients who are pet parents where it is like, I can have a nice home, or I can have pets, but not both. Why do people struggle with that balance?

Pamela O’Brien (02:30)
Historically animals were outside, but we have brought them into the home. I have been a pet parent too. In my life and in interior design, I prefer when pets are managed to the comfort of both parties. It is possible. It takes a little more work and sometimes an investment. A well-established home where pets can be who they are and parents can be who they are is the best environment. The home can still be lovely. It often comes down to the decisions you make in your selections.

Amy Castro (03:06)
It makes me sad when someone says, I cannot host because my pets will be in the way or my couch is gross. You should not have to live like that. There should be balance. Let’s walk through areas and materials that have a big impact. First, fabrics. I have thrown too many things away over fabric issues. When you look at furniture and fabrics, how do you advise clients? Throwing an old blanket over the sofa is not always the answer. You invested in that sofa.

Pamela O’Brien (03:56)
We can start there because it is an easy fix. I grew up with pets on the sofa and we would put down a throw. I still believe that works well. It does not have to be hideous, and you can launder it. Pick one that looks nice in the house. I saw in Southern Living where a designer with two big shedding dogs tucked a pretty blanket over the seat cushions so it looked intentional. Once a week you toss it in the wash.
There is also performance fabric technology now. Many people know Sunbrella, which started outdoors, but over the years they expanded colors, patterns, and textures. If it can stand up to the elements, it is good with peanut butter and jelly, cat food, and body oils. There is a whole category of performance fabrics now. My number one tip for anyone buying upholstered pieces is to ask about performance fabrics. They cost a little more, but if you get two to five extra years out of your sofa, it is a good investment.

Amy Castro (06:01)
I have made the mistake of going cheap, then replacing sooner. Spending a bit more can save money and look better in the long run. I love the intentional throw idea too, not my daughter’s old pink pony bedspread.

Pamela O’Brien (06:54)
You can get a pretty throw for little money. The key is intentional placement and tucking so it looks neat.
On fabrics, the bigger point stands. Performance fabrics are worth it.

Amy Castro (07:18)
And they help with odor too, not just hair and snags. Let’s move to flooring and rugs. We had a controversial episode where a foster removed all rugs. People have strong feelings about rugs. I have been in a no rugs phase because fosters will target them. Others want rugs. Let’s cover flooring first.

Pamela O’Brien (08:32)
Start with the foundation. Ceramic and porcelain tile are excellent. Ceramic is glazed on top, color does not go through, but it is still tough. Porcelain often has color through the body and looks a bit more elevated. Tile cleans easily after accidents. Grout gets dirty, but it can be cleaned. Natural stone can work, but acids can etch it. That is manageable, but it is real.
Wall-to-wall carpet is less common, though we still do it in media rooms and some bedrooms. There are stain and odor resistant carpets now. Ask for pet friendly lines.
Wood floors handle spills if you clean them quickly. Use the right cleaner. LVT and LVP are also great. They look like wood and clean well. If a plank is damaged, you can sometimes replace just that piece. Tile remains the easiest overall.

Amy Castro (13:16)
We have tile too. Seal the grout because urine loves to run the grout lines. Sealed grout makes clean up easy.

Pamela O’Brien (13:39)
Grout will still show long term soil. Consider going a couple of shades darker. Sealants help, but they are not forever. Routine resealing is recommended, although few do it on schedule.

Amy Castro (14:38)
Rugs. I tried an inexpensive rug thinking it would be easy to wash. It was not. Better to skip rugs?

Pamela O’Brien (15:14)
As a designer who loves rugs, you will never get that layered, comfortable look without them. Some people choose none for mobility or pet reasons, and that is fine. If you want rugs, there are options at all price points. Get stain protection when you purchase. Serious accidents can be professionally cleaned with good results. For constant issues, choose lower cost rugs you can replace.
Wool is forgiving. Rugs are not as delicate as people think. Many antique rugs have survived a thousand years. Prompt attention to messes is the key. Use smaller launderable mats in high risk areas. The biggest rug damage I see is dogs chewing corners. Most stains we send out for cleaning are actually human caused, like spilled wine.

Amy Castro (19:50)
Fair point. You have to know your pets and adjust. Let’s move up to walls. I had a Doberman with epic slobber flings that reached eight feet high. Washable paint did not always wipe clean. Some people use wainscoting. What do you suggest so we are not repainting every year?

Pamela O’Brien (21:03)
You may not want to install wainscoting or tile walls due to cost. But they do work. Another option is wallpaper, especially vinyl, which is scrubable and common in commercial spaces.
Paint tech has improved. Tell the paint store you need very scrubbable paint. You do not have to choose a shiny finish anymore. Spend a bit more once, paint properly, and enjoy durability for years instead of repainting annually.

Amy Castro (23:33)
We used vinyl wallpaper below a chair rail in a past house, and it lasted 15 years and wiped clean. Total lifesaver. Let’s talk zones and storage. Entryways get chaotic. Shoes, leashes, toys. How do we make it look polished and still be functional?

Pamela O’Brien (24:49)
Mud rooms and utility rooms are getting upgraded with storage. In new builds you can design crate nooks and supply cabinets. If you are not remodeling, use attractive canisters, baskets, and shelving. Hooks are your friend. Peg racks for hats, jackets, leashes, waste bags, and treats keep it all handy and neat. Living with pets is fine as long as it is not chaotic. Neat containment makes it look intentional.

Amy Castro (26:55)
We used a small shelf unit with labeled baskets. Leashes, collars, umbrellas, all tucked away. It holds a lot and looks tidy.

Pamela O’Brien (27:45)
Exactly. Contain, label, and close what you can. It looks organized and calms the space.

Amy Castro (28:21)
Feeding setups. I often feed in crates. The communal water bowl in my kitchen is functional, not pretty. I dream of a built-in water station with a spigot. Thoughts on making feeding areas look better and stay clean?

Pamela O’Brien (29:12)
Built-in pullout bowls look clever but can be messy in practice, especially for water. Better to group food and supplies in one area and use a tray under bowls. A dishwasher-safe tray contains splashes and stray kibble. It makes the whole station portable for cleaning or moving when guests arrive. Elevated bowls can also help. My best answer is a tray.

Amy Castro (30:44)
I have used pet mats that look like pet mats. A pretty tray is a smart upgrade.

Pamela O’Brien (31:06)
Pick one that suits your kitchen. We keep ours in a niche, and when guests come, I just pick up the tray and move it to the laundry room. It is simple, clean, and inexpensive.

Amy Castro (32:00)
I like that it anchors the bowls, contains splashes, and looks intentional. Also think about placement so splatter does not mark walls.
Last topic, pet zones. I have bent my own rules and let my dog sleep on the bed, but I use a separate dog bedspread I can air out daily. I think it is fine to have pet zones and also to keep pets out of certain rooms. Thoughts?

Pamela O’Brien (34:25)
It is personal. I like pets that are well mannered and orderly. Training and boundaries early on help a lot. You can decide where they sleep and where they do not. Provide beds in the rooms where you spend time so pets have a spot that is theirs. If you allow pets on the bed, choose machine washable bedding. Many brands now offer it, even at higher design levels. It makes maintenance realistic. Have a pet throw or second cover you can pull off and wash. It preserves your main bedding and your sanity.

Amy Castro (38:09)
I started using a second bedspread for the dog. It keeps hair off my pillows and if there is a mess, it goes straight into the wash instead of turning into a three load crisis.

Pamela O’Brien (40:25)
Exactly. If you do not want a full second bedspread, use an inexpensive attractive throw that you can spread to cover the surface area that needs protection. Pets tend to gravitate to the throw anyway.

Amy Castro (41:14)
To pull this together, any final tips we missed?

Pamela O’Brien (41:27)
Technology has improved fabrics, carpets, rugs, paints, and floors. Attractive storage and pet furniture exist at many price points. You do not have to resent the look of your pet gear. Make it work for you. Simplify your design style if you are in a heavy pet season so cleaning is easier. Choose materials that make maintenance simple so you are not irritated all the time. That is better for you and your pets.

Amy Castro (43:15)
Make it simple and livable for everyone. Pamela, thank you so much for sharing your advice. I think listeners will pull a lot of ideas they can adapt to their lifestyle and budget.

Pamela O’Brien (43:42)
I hope so. It has been a delight. Thank you.

Amy Castro (43:45)
If you are wondering where to start, start small. Pick one area, like your entryway or your pet’s feeding area, and make it work better for both you and your pets. Even one change can make your space calmer, cleaner, and better looking. If you try any ideas from this episode, I would love to see them. Tag the Pet Parent Hotline or send me a message and photo. We may share it on a future episode or on social.

 Until next time, may your style stay timeless and your pets stop turning chic into shabby. Thanks for listening to the Pet Parent Hotline. If you enjoyed the show, text a friend with a link and tell them, I have a show you need to hear. Ask them to tell you what they think. Remember, your pet’s best life starts with you living yours. Take good care of yourself this week and your pets.