To be in the dog house isn't always bad thanks to "pet-friendly decorating".

To be in the dog house has new meaning thanks to a burgeoning industry that caters to "pet-friendly decorating". Now homeowners who are building or remodeling can consider their pets’ needs as as they plan home projects. The new industry includes more that incorporating stain-resistant fabrics, scratch-resistant flooring, or colors that match a pet's fur. HGTV website has a great article on this topic written by Leanne Potts called Doggone stylish: 12 Dos and Don'ts for Decorating a Home with Pets. Her review covers 12 recommendations proposed by Julia Szao, author of author of Animal House Style: Designing A Home To Share With Your Pets (Bullfinch, 176 pages, $19.95, animalhousestyle.com). The article also links to great resources. Here's one example:

If you like the look of carpet, try modular carpet tiles made by companies like InterfaceFlor. The carpet squares stick to the floor with an adhesive, so they're easy to install, and they're available in an array of colors, patterns and textures. "They're great," says author Julia Szabo. "If a dog pees or a cat vomits, you can pull up the dirty tile and replace it with a new one. It's much cheaper than replacing an entire rug

Check out the article for more tips on how to let your house go to the dogs!