In a city with less than 90,000 children and over 125,000 dogs, it’s clear that a lot of Seattleites are opting to hear the pitter-patter of little claws over feet. And all that displaced diaper money has to go somewhere! The Emerald City has rallied around this consumerist cause with dog-care centers, dog acupuncturists, dog spas, dog photography, dog magazines, bakeries catering to dogs and even doggie couture shops. Every service or product imaginable is being targeted to the Seattle pup set, with no signs of abating.

Before remodel

But dog-centric remodeling? One couple opened up the pawsability when they asked local remodeler, Conner Remodeling and Design Inc. to incorporate pet-friendly design into their north Seattle kitchen remodel. The kitchen in their 1920s bungalow had all the charm of pre-war architecture, but the years of wear and tear were starting to show. They wanted a spruced-up, light-filled, clean-feeling kitchen that still fit with the period of the house. To them, clean-feeling also meant uncluttered, so they asked for a hidden storage area in which to feed their two dogs.

New digs

The couple had been feeding their canine companions in their dog carriers in the kitchen’s closet, but Conner Remodeling and Design decided that space was needed for the refrigerator. So where could the dogs go that wouldn’t be out in the open? Conner took on the challenge by creating a special dog cabinet large enough to accommodate both pups during meal times, then faced it with a detailed door front that blended seamlessly with the rest of the new cabinetry.

With the dog needs squared away, Conner tackled the rest of the kitchen, working within much of the original layout, but adding touches and reworking elements to blend modern utility with classic style.