Luxury Design Has Gone to the Dogs

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent CO: II100035296

For many of us, pets are a part of our family.  As a horse owner, I have many pet friendly amenities in my stable.  My horses have their own washing machine and dryer.  The barn has a central vacuum.  The horses have their own heated bathing area.   It didn't occur to me until reading Charlie Dressen's post below that my barn has more pet friendly amenities than the average home does.  That trend may be changing. 

Even if you don't need the luxury items mentioned below in your home, Charlie's photographs are great!  Be sure to comment on his blog.  Thanks!   

      

 

Original content by Charlie Dresen

Luxury Design Has Gone to the Dogs

Last week the Wall Street Journal had an article about luxury home owners building and upgrading their homes to suit the needs of their pets. The article, In the Dog House: Pet-Friendly Luxury Design, with a subtitle: With pet ownership at an all-time high, builders and developers are pulling out the stops to please residents of the four-legged variety.

Steamboat Springs real estate for sale, dog
A chocolate lab sits outside of his home in Old Town,
                          Steamboat Springs, CO.

I am all for making Fido and/or Kitty comfortable at home, and actually, a lot of the design ideas in the article are good ones. For instance, I like the idea of incorporating the dog's bed, storage for dog toys and food bowls into built-ins. Not tripping over the dog's bed in the room would be great.


Built-in cabinetry with cubbies for canine. (Photo credit: ThisOldHouse.com)

Here in Dog Town, USA, our canine family members go just about everywhere with us. Yes, you read that right, Dog Fancy crowned Steamboat Spring, CO Dog Town, USA this past fall stating, "Steamboat Springs is a mile-high mecca for dogs and their owners, embracing a love for canines in daily life and activities year-round.” Steamboat offers fantastic trails and open spaces perfect for exercising your dog, but come mud season these jaunts can be messy.

Does this photo need a caption?
                                                              For the love of mud!

This is when an in-home dog washing station would come in very handy. Like the terrazo one in the heated garage of this stunning Old Town mountain contemporary at 11 E. Spruce Street.

dog
This Steamboat Springs home features a built-in dog washing station
                                       and heated window seats.

11 E. Spruce Street also features heated window seats next to the fireplace, perfect for keeping small dogs warm as they watch for visitors.

Telluride gold, buff sandstone
Heated window seats flank the gorgeous Telluride gold & buff sandstone fireplace.

Windows that go all the way to the floor are nice for smaller dogs. Like the ones wrapping around the living area at 15 E. Spruce Street. Not to mention, this home's yard is a dog's dream - over 2 acres in the middle of Old Town (downtown), with Butcherknife Creek running through it and property backing to Stehley Park. What more could Fido want? Oh right, a human to throw the ball.

15 East Spruce Street, Steamboat Springs, CO
Abundant windows to the floor for the short-legged furry friends.

If the larger animal varieties are your preferred choice in furry companions, then take a peek at this picturesque 35-acre estate in Stagecoach just south of Steamboat Springs. Its beautiful grounds have been home to a working alpaca ranch but would be perfect for equestrians and artists alike.

35-acre ranch in Stagecoach

Have you made upgrades or built your home's design around your pets? If so, please share.

If you would like to see any of these homes or other pet-friendly homes for sale here in Dog Town, USA, please contact me.

Regards,

Charlie

Charlie Dresen
Real Estate Associate Broker | Sotheby's
Local Knowledge | Global Exposure | Defining Service
970-846-6435 | Charlie@SteamboatsMyHome.com
SteamboatsMyHome.com
610 Market Place Plaza, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

 

Comments (10)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Interesting re-blog of Charlie's in the luxury category Sondra for the pets for how the other half lives. I am amazed how well taken care of some pets or animals are by people of means and the ideas and photos fully illustrate this living large concept. On the other hand I know how little some pets have if just to find a rescue home not to mention PEOPLE on the streets who would trade places with what these pets have. It always comes across as extravagance even going the extra mile for animals when some people struggle so mightily in life. You once wrote a blog about homeless people in Colorado and this blog reminded me as the opposite of that one.

Jan 13, 2014 05:21 AM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

We love to spoil our critters!

Jan 13, 2014 05:56 AM
Sondra Meyer:
Colorado Springs, CO
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Catherine, we do love to spoil our babies. 

Gary, I'm comfortable saying that most people that I have met that can afford to go the extra mile for their pets are also the same people that donate thousands of dollars to various charities and educational institutions every year.  

I hope to see more pet friendly features in smaller homes.   

Jan 13, 2014 06:13 AM
Jeff Stevens
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties - Las Cruces, NM
Jeff Stevens, Associate Broker/REALTOR

What a wonderful post! I love my four and do spend tons on their comfort...but they deserve it! Thanks for the re-blog.

Jan 13, 2014 07:10 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Sondra  We have told our 'terrorist' if they ever get sick...we will stuff an apple in their mouth and have a BBQ.  Needless to say, they don't believe a word of it!  Oh, to come back as a dog!!!  

Jan 15, 2014 10:49 AM
Sondra Meyer:
Colorado Springs, CO
See It. Experience It. Live It.

John, remember that I've met your kiddos, I mean "terrorists."  I don't believe you either.  :)

Jan 15, 2014 12:09 PM
Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

This is an interesting article and a good choice for a re-blog.

Jan 15, 2014 11:28 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Now I think that I would love to have a separate washer and dryer for my chocolate lab...never thought of it til now!

Jan 16, 2014 08:44 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-755-2905

Sondra, last spring, we bit the bullet and built a $5K "doggie condo", including an air-conditioner because it's on the sunny side of our home (which was not built as a dog-friendly abode...the former owners had an indoor cat only). All they need is a flat-screen TV and they can have their friends over for football!

(I bookmarked this for ideas for later...love his photos and I'll go comment).

Jan 19, 2014 03:00 AM
Charlie Dresen
Steamboat Sotheby's International Realty - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Thanks for the re-blog, Sondra! Sounds like the amenities that you incorporated in your barn, like many of the ones mentioned earlier, not only provide comfort for the animals but for the owners as well.

Jan 21, 2014 11:18 AM

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