At 555 Malcolm X Boulevard, on the corner of 138th Street, Halstead brokers Michael Coker and Collette Smith have been tapping their fingers on the solid marble countertops for months now. The 36-unit pre-war building was finished in late 2007 with oak floors, stainless steel appliances and five-foot windows. It’s easily one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor pads. But a year and a half later there are still 10 units available—possibly nine after Sunday.

Around 12:30 that day, a young couple came in looking for a one-bedroom unit that just sold. “I hate brokers who tell people ‘hurry up and buy or someone else will take it’,” Ms. Smith told them. “But …” she left them to fill in the rest.

Walter Nimley, 33, and Sheba Taylor, 24, both grew up in Harlem and were intrigued when they saw the listing for the condo with an outdoor terrace. But they waited, thinking the $400,000 price might go down more. The gamble could have paid off, as unit prices in the building have been slashed by as much as $287,000, but not in this case.

“Where were you four months ago?” Ms. Smith gently cajoled them, as she listed off the more expensive units still available.

But Mr. Nimley, a police officer at the local 28th Precinct, said they probably haven’t learned their lesson.

“We might wait,” he said. “I still think prices could go down more.”

Fifteen blocks down, and several price brackets up, Danielle Christensen, a broker at Douglas Elliman, waited patiently alone in a luxurious Harlem condo. “You don’t need a lot of buyers,” she said. “All it takes is one.”

Ms. Christensen, who is selling her own two-bedroom condo, valued at just under $1.4 million, has sat through a number of quiet open houses over the past few months. She recently cut the price by $100,000.

When the 1910 warehouse was converted into condos three years ago, it quickly sold to families from Turkey, Brazil, Germany and to Grammy winner Robby Merkin. Ms. Christensen, an experienced broker, snapped up her own 1,940-square-foot unit, with 10.5-foot ceilings and white marble bathrooms.

Upper-end Harlem real estate was some of the worst hit by the crash, the broker said. “Harlem is a little bit on the edge,” she added. “People are less confident buying here now,” though she emphasized there’s still development.

For those who find taking the C up to 124th as unappealing as crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, there were bargains a mere stroll across Morningside Park. At 157 West 111th Street, another newly renovated pre-war condo with three bedrooms was going for $999,000, reduced by $176,000, according to the listing.

But the Upper West Side families who came to see waited in vain for a broker, who was at least 25 minutes late. One couple, Chris and Kim Spencer, started their house hunt several months ago and had visited four Harlem condos by 1:30 in the afternoon. “The buildings are spectacular,” said Mr. Spencer, perhaps conjuring the dingy bathrooms, closet-sized kitchens and potted plant decor of his native Upper West Side.

Mr. Spencer, who works in television, and Ms. Spencer, an artist, have focused on Harlem because it offers good value close to their two children’s high school. Despite seeing some great properties, they’ve hesitated to pull the trigger. In an affable accent from Down Under, Mr. Spencer explained, “It’s still a neighborhood in transition.”

Confirming that not everyone welcomes the return of the Harlem real estate renaissance, around the corner on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard a Prudential Douglas Elliman sign beckons: “Come home to Harlem.” In the window next to it, long-time residents have put up handmade signs that read, “Don’t buy here.”

[Thanks: http://www.observer.com]

A: The first rule when selling your house (or any property) is to think like a buyer.

You’ve done a certain amount of that already by making sure that the widest swath of people can see themselves in your home.

Now, take a look at your competitors on the market. First you want to make sure that your pricing is realistic; given the down market, you might end up taking a loss on your home — even Jon and Kate did.

But you’re also, as the marketers would say, “positioning” your home for sale. Spend a day or two going to open houses to see what else is available to potential buyers and how your home is better than the pack. Do you have the largest kitchen? The sunniest? The most renovated? Does your house have the best view, the nicest historical detailing, the most open floorplan?

You can then market those competitive strengths.

Remember, they might not necessarily be why you bought the house. Maybe you purchased because it was the newest thing in the neighborhood, and now it’s not. But your home will still have strengths in any competitive set, and those are what you want to emphasize.

Good for you for doing the work to make your property neutral. Now it’s time to stand out.

[Thanks: http://moneywatch.bnet.com]

Feng shui, the Chinese art of influencing the energy flow of a house, is affected by everything from the placement of plants to the colors of paint to the position of the toilet seat, consultants say.

A front entrance that is inviting and pulls energy in is ideal, according to the rules of feng shui, as is a closed toilet lid.

Clutter in your living space will bog you down and affect the ability for energy, and thus productivity, to flow throughout the house. Color can dramatically change the impact of a room.

Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”), which literally translates into “wind” and “water” in mandarin Chinese, is the art of placement as well as choice of color and decor to maximize your home’s flow of energy and balance.

While some think of it as the use of Asian decor, fountains or lucky objects, feng shui is actually an art form, thousands of years old, based on a “bagua,” or compass that maps out the different areas of life in relation to colors and the five elements of earth.

“Feng shui teaches us that what surrounds us profoundly affects us,” said longtime Honolulu consultant Alice Inoue.

She said she believes that rearranging items already in your home can change your energy to better support you.

For Inoue, who has both classical and nontraditional training, feng shui is a combination of psychology, ancient wisdom, physics and spirituality.

Clear Englebert, Big Island feng shui consultant and author of “Feng Shui for Hawaii,” called it “the joy of moving your stuff around and seeing how it can have an effect on your life.”

Practitioners say good feng shui practices can make a difference during tough economic times and help wealth flow inward.

The front entrance

The front door is considered the mouth of the home and, thus, highly important. The energy from your front entrance will greet you every time you step inside your home, as well as every visitor who enters.

Inoue called the door the “entry point for all energy,” and recommended that the area be cleared of clutter.

Sometimes a mirror fits in well on the wall facing the entrance, particularly if what it reflects outside is a pleasant scene. Inoue advises using mirrors to add brightness and bring nature into a space. If the reflection is not pleasant, skip the mirror.

Water features flowing inward also are ideal near the entrance, Inoue said.

Englebert called the entrance to your home the “portal of energy in your life,” and therefore it should be easy to locate and not obscured. If a front door is difficult to find, then energy might not be able to find you, he said.

Creating a place of peace

In times of transformation and chaos, everyone is looking for a place of tranquility, particularly after the economic challenges of the past year, Inoue said.

So it’s important to create a place of peace, where one can get away to collect one’s thoughts. This place does not have to be a separate room, she said, but simply a corner of a room or even a chair.

To create a place of peace, Inoue recommended claiming the area — one that is already clear of clutter, clean and comfortable.

She suggested placing a table or using a shelf, and dedicating it to objects that are part of your vision, creativity or desires. This can include books that inspire you, a personal journal, photos or objects that represent happiness in your life.

The place of peace should have set boundaries and rules for its usage.

This space is for meditating, celebrating success, receiving inspiration and the place where one goes to connect with the bigger picture of life, Inoue said.

Before and After

Take a look at these before and after examples.

The front door

Before: The front door to this home has a doormat that is too small as well as a bareness that could be accentuated by a potted plant.

After: Feng shui consultant Alice Inoue suggested a wider welcome mat to match the width of the door and adding a potted plant on a pedestal to the left of the door.

This helps draw energy toward the door, she said, making it more welcoming.

The entryway

Before: Once inside, Inoue noticed framed art of two fish on a console next to the front door, top center. The fish, however, were swimming to the left and appeared to be heading out of the front door.

Also, the red wall scroll that hung from the wall facing the front door, while it drew attention, was too powerful for a first impression of the home. It was similar to a red stop sign, with the same impact — halting the person entering instead of drawing them in.

After: By moving the framed fish to the opposite wall in the entryway, top right, Inoue explained that the energy flow was heading into the house rather than out of the house. This would draw inhabitants and visitors to the home inside.

Inoue also suggested moving the red wall scroll, which represented the fire element, to a nook in the back of the home. In place of the wall scroll, Inoue placed a painting of an ocean with palm fronds that angled left, again drawing the person into the home.

A place of peace

Before: The area was bare, with furniture scattered around randomly.

After: Inoue created a place of peace in one corner of the room by gathering several bamboo plants, objects that are endearing, and framing the wicker love seat with two tables. This place of peace, she says, is now an ideal area for someone to gather one’s thoughts, reflect or meditate.

Angling furniture

Before: The dining table above was placed horizontally in the dining area underneath the light — this is where most people would place it.

After: However, Inoue suggested angling the dining table so that it created a new perspective. This technique of angling furniture can break up linear energy, promoting movement and ease. It can also enhance creativity.

Alice Inoue’s tips

The three pillars of feng shui, according to Alice Inoue, are the entrance, position of the stove and bed.

» The door is the entry point for all energy. Make sure the key doesn’t stick, the door opens effortlessly and there is no clutter stacked behind the door. Use water features near the entrance and position them so they flow inward.

» The stove represents the family’s wealth and is where you nurture the home. As a fire element, it should be positioned so people using it can see behind them. If not, a mirror can help.

» Since we spend about one-third of our lives in the bedroom, it’s important to keep it sacred and maintain balance and serenity. Use pairs of items or pictures of pairs in the bedroom to symbolize healthy partnerships. Keep water features out of the bedroom.

» Choose furniture without sharp corners whenever possible to enhance the flow of energy. Angle furniture to break up linear energy, which will promote movement and ease.

» When searching for positive feng shui colors, choose colors you can easily find in nature.

Clear Englebert’s tips

» To increase income, don’t have pokey or thorny plants near doors, roads or paths. Round leaves, like in a jade plant, are more ideal here.

» If slippers are near a door, organize them and make sure they’re all pointing in the same direction to ensure harmony.

» Don’t keep dried plants (including leis) on display for more than three months.

» Because it’s considered a drain, keep your toilet lid shut and close before flushing. Fix dripping water faucets.

» A solution for noisy neighbors is to hang a “bagua” mirror or a discreet, small circular mirror (which you can purchase at a crafts store) on the wall outside facing the problem neighbors.

Source: “Feng Shui for Hawaii,” by Clear Englebert

[Thanks: http://www.starbulletin.com]

Date: Tuesday 9 March 2010
Lecturer: Gilly Steer
Time: 09h00 for 09h30 until 12h30
Topic: Home Décor Accessories - Accessorize your home by creating a stunning
silver key dangle and wood stain and decorate a photo stand. Learn how to make your own cord tassle and lots of extra ideas for budget conscious home revamps. Extras
available for sale for gifts.
Cost: R350.00 pp and includes tea / coffee on arrival, refreshments, and all the materials (kits) to make a home décor accessory valued at ± R145 to take home with you.

VENUE: Garden World, Johannesburg, Gauteng (Beyers Naude Drive)
CALL 011 957 2545 OR 083 997 6142 OR VISIT www.gardenworld.co.za TO BOOK NOW!

Venue

Date: 09 March 2010
Location: Garden World, Johannesburg (Beyers Naude Drive), Johannesburg
Cost: R350 pp
More info: Garden World, Johannesburg, Gauteng (Beyers Naude Drive)

Contact: Magriet or Corne
Company name: Garden World
Telephone number: +27 11 957 2545
Email address shaunei@identitybrandtalk.co.za

[Thanks: http://www.bizcommunity.com]

Learn inside tips on how to set the perfect spring table from Replacements’ design expert Dubravka Vujinovic. Vujinovic will help you find ways to infuse bright blasts of spring colors and develop your own unique decorating style at her seminar Sunday, March 21, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The session is free to the public but advance registration is requested due to limited space. For more information or to sign up for this event, contact Replacements at 336.697.3000, ext. 2093 or dubravka.vujinovic@replacements.com. Replacements, Ltd. is located just off I-40/I-85 (exit 132) at 1089 Knox Road, McLeansville, N.C.

About Replacements, Ltd.
Founded by Bob Page in 1981, Replacements, Ltd. carries the world’s largest selection of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. The company’s 415,000 square foot facilities house an inventory of nearly 13.5 million pieces from over 324,000 patterns. Headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., Replacements, Ltd. serves more than ten million customers worldwide.

[Thanks: http://carolinanewswire.com]

Bloomington, MN (PRWEB) March 5, 2010 — Lighting enthusiast Gene Souza has always possessed a fascination for the multi-colored shimmer of Tiffany-style lighting; a look that he insists reminds him of the vibrant, stained-glass windows of a historic cathedral.

Fittingly, Souza transformed his admiration for this one-of-a-kind beauty into a Web-based business with the launch of www.LampsDelight.com in October 2009. Here, online shoppers will find a vast collection of Tiffany-style lamps, which range from traditional table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling lights to the original craftsmanship of luminous corner-table lamps and clock lamps.

Bloomington, MN March 5, 2010 — Lighting enthusiast Gene Souza has always possessed a fascination for the multi-colored shimmer of Tiffany-style lighting; a look that he insists reminds him of the vibrant, stained-glass windows of a historic cathedral.

Fittingly, Souza transformed his admiration for this one-of-a-kind beauty into a Web-based business with the launch of www.LampsDelight.com in October 2009. Here, online shoppers will find a vast collection of Tiffany-style lamps, which range from traditional table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling lights to the original craftsmanship of luminous corner-table lamps and clock lamps.

Additionally, Souza’s collection includes decorative table lamps not of the Tiffany style, novelty lamps that are mostly shaped like various animals and pool table lights available in patriotic themes - Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force - beer logos, sports teams and more.

“My business operates on five basic principles; we provide the best quality lamps on the market, we offer free shipping for orders priced at $75 or more, we provide the lowest prices possible, we’re dedicated to customer service and guarantee 100 percent customer satisfaction,” Souza said.

To learn more about the benefits of Tiffany-style lamps, shoppers are encouraged to visit the Web site’s newly formulated blog, www.LampsGuru.com. This interactive tool will also be used to provide detailed product information, home decorating tips and the types of novelty lamps and their child-like appeal.

Visit LampsDelight.com today and discover a world of bright ideas!

[Thanks: http://www.prweb.com]

Rosemary George has done it all at Vito and Nick’s — the birthplace of Southwest Side thin-crust pizza.

Her father, Nick Barraco, owned the joint and he put her to work young. She chopped the peppers, ground the sausage, rolled the dough, made the sauce, ran the cash register and cleaned the tables.

On one fateful waitressing shift, she smashed a pizza tin over the head of a certain smart-aleck customer — and then married him.

So, don’t mess with her.

“When I’m crabby you don’t want to be around me. No, no, no, you don’t,” she says. “The kids always say when my eyes turn bright green walk out the door.”

Don’t worry, that’s the kind of rage George reserves for slacking employees and sassy grandchildren. It doesn’t last long. “I get my point across and then it’s over,” she says.

Regulars at the family pizza place at 84th and Pulaski know George as the affable caretaker of a family tradition — addictive cracker-thin pie, sweet sauce and tasty toppings that have spawned a fair share of imitators nearby.

Vito and Nick’s pie is as important to Southwest Side folks as much as Ike Sewell’s deep-dish casserole at Uno’s is to Chicago-style deep dish purists who don’t know any better.

A visit inside the unassuming blond brick pizza joint is like a time machine ride to the day the place opened.

All the decor — from the blue Christmas lights over the bar and original Old Style neon to the dark paneling and shag carpet on the walls — feels like June 25, 1964. Some of the regulars are even the same.

It’s like eating pizza in your buddies’ basement. Put it this way: Until the early 1990s patrons ate on napkins — plates were an unnecessary luxury.

And in the kitchen the rule is “too good is no good,” an axiom George learned from her dad.

“A few weeks before he passed away, my father said, ‘Doll, never, ever, change the quality of your food. … This works fine, don’t screw it up,” she said.

But that didn’t stop George from venturing to Paris a few years back to study cooking at Le Cordon Bleu. She learned to make a mean cannoli and any fancy French dish you want.

Against her father’s advice, George once put a tasty quail dish on special. “I’ve even put out a plate to show people what it looks like,” she said. “No one even tried it. Dad was right.”

As for George, well, she hasn’t changed much either. The 62-year-old is the same take-no-guff workaholic who spends more time slinging pies and chatting up regulars than she does at home. That’s because George considers regulars extended family and strangers long-lost cousins.

“Being there is like being at home. They’re family. They really are,” George says. “And if you walk in as a stranger, you’ll leave knowing several people. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

If you want one of her pizzas you’ll have to go there and pay with cash — Vito and Nick’s doesn’t deliver or take credit.

“My father always said, ‘If they like my pizza they will come to me.’” George said. “He’s right. They do.”

And if you want George to smile, ask for the quail.

[Thanks: http://www.suntimes.com]

1925 Greenville Ave., 214- 828-2697;

www.bowsandarrowsdeluxe.com

Owned by: 30-somethings Alicia and Adam Rico

The lowdown: After several years in Brooklyn, the artsy married couple wanted a change of pace for their family (they’re expecting a baby girl) and personal lives. Alicia’s Dallas roots made moving here an easy choice for the floral designer and her artist hubby. Opening a funky little flower shop, art gallery and children’s boutique on Lower Greenville was their next natural step.

What’s in store: In-season stems and arrangements (right now expect hydrangea, roses, eucalyptus, brunia), artwork by local and New York-based talents, vintage vases and ceramics, affordable costume jewelry, children’s clothing and hair accessories that Alicia makes or embellishes.

Who’ll love it: Amateur art collectors, brides-to-be, romantic spouses, hipster babies.

Fun fact: The affordable vintage milk glass vases for sale are from the Ricos’ Brooklyn wedding.

Price range: From $5 for a stylish ’60s coffee mug to $30 for a custom arrangement and $100-plus for artwork.

Main Street Mercantile

2707 Main St., 214-741-4107;
www.msmdallas.com

Owned by: Brandon Lynch, Steve Iha and Cindy Klamov

The lowdown: When Klamov’s father (an antiques dealer in East Texas) retired last year, the gang decided to truck his remaining inventory to Dallas and give the stuff new life. Their love for Deep Ellum (Iha and Klamov are investors in Twisted Root Burger Co.) led them to an old-fashioned space in the eclectic neighborhood where they sell the antiques and all-American treasures.

What’s in store: Antique American furniture and home accessories (heavy oak tables, armoires, buffets, chairs), metal dental cabinets, McCoy planters, carnival glass bowls, an old-school cash register.

Who’ll love it: American furniture collectors, traditional decorators, Mom and Pop, shoppers looking to furnish rustic cabins and farmhouses

Fun fact: The wood wheelchair from the late 1800s belonged to Klamov’s great-great-grandfather.

Price range: For furniture, from $150 for a side table to $2,400 for an antique hunt-board cupboard.

The Wooden House

2918 N. Henderson Ave., 214-823-0002;
www.thewoodenhouse.org

Owned by: Steven Brooks

The lowdown: When North Henderson’s Cierra vacated last year, the wholesale furniture dealer snatched it up and moved his imports business from California to Texas. The Spanish building is now filled with solid wood furniture, ethnic accessories and antique textiles he hand-selects in Indonesia and India.

What’s in store: Solid wood vintage and reclaimed furniture (mahogany tables, accent benches, Asian chests), fossilized tree-trunk stools, wood animal figurines.

Who’ll love it: Eclectic decorators, bargain shoppers, quality furniture seekers

Fun fact: The store’s warehouse in the Dallas Design District is open to the public by appointment.

Price range: Accessories start in the double digits; furniture ranges from $60 for an accent bench and $129 for a wood end table to $1,200 for a glass and sheesham wood buffet.

Last fall, a couple of noteworthy home shops opened on Lovers Lane:

First up is Arteriors Too, sister shop to the Dallas-based Arteriors Home wholesale operation. The bungalow-cum-boutique showcases an edited mix from the warehouse’s returns, samples and ever-so-slightly damaged merchandise.

The on-trend mirrors, side tables, bar carts and lamps are marked wholesale price or lower. Disclaimer: The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday only.

Two doors down is budding boutique Area 25, which carries new, vintage, antique and consignment home furnishings. Prices run the gamut: $30 for a lacquered storage box, $499 for a mod duo of nesting tables, $1,000-up for sofas and big-ticket antiques.

Arteriors Too is at 4811 W. Lovers Lane; 214-352-1920.

Area 25 is at 4901 W. Lovers Lane; 214-352-6925.

[Thanks: http://www.dallasnews.com]

What: Cricket, 40 Wine St., Hampton

Fab find: Mad brand mother-of-pearl and natural horn purses for $42.50

As you walk toward the tall brick building on Wine Street, glimpses into the windows reveal kitschy handbags, glittering jewelry and the soft pastel colors of a spring home decor line that is slowly edging its way into the zone of emphasis.

Cricket is a boutique in its truest form. Women’s blouses designed for professionals hang easily in one corner of the small shop, with home decor, gift items and jewelry sprinkled throughout the layout.

Most days, you’ll find shop owner Kitty Favre smiling at you as you walk through the door. Cricket is her second stab at a women’s boutique in downtown Hampton, and most of the area’s regulars remember her from years past. She spent 15 years in business, after all, closing the doors to her previous store, Kitty & Co., in 1995.

This time, she aims to fill the downtown area’s gap in women’s clothing, but she hopes her expansion into home decor and gift items will help Cricket become a permanent venture.

“We want to give people an all-inclusive shopping experience, so they don’t have to go to the mall necessarily,” she says.

Right now, shoppers can find a good selection of holiday decor 50 percent off. Favre also has a “Featured Item of the Week” section, where shoppers can find additional merchandise marked off by 50 percent.

Jewelry is the shop’s strongest seller, though, including unique designs by national designers as well as fashions crafted by locals. Prices start at $12.

Shop Stops is an occasional feature about new businesses on the Peninsula. Savvy Shopper Nicole Paitsel can be reached at 247-4737 or npaitsel@dailypress.com.

[Thanks: http://www.dailypress.com]

The downside of sharing our homes with pets, of course, is dirt, hair and odors. How to keep things chic and clean and still have room for Spot?

Designers and manufacturers offer some ideas.

Liz Levin’s experience with her own menagerie of kids and pets led her to launch a design service, Liz Levin Nesting. Her advice? Color-coordinate with your pets.

“Flying fur’s a reality. Unless you’re prepared to stand guard with your vacuum 24/7, choose a color that blends with your pet. If you have a black Lab, for the sake of your sanity, don’t pick a cream-colored sofa,” she says.

Cats’ independent streak makes them difficult to train; better to just work around them. “Floor lamps with heavy bases. Glass tops for fragile finishes. And a good scratching post!” she counsels.

Pets sleep a lot during the day – dogs about 13 hours, cats several more – so bedding is key.

“Most dogs like to stretch out on rectangular beds that keep their shape, with defined edges for hanging one’s head over,” says Julia Szabo, author of “Pretty Pet-Friendly: Easy Ways to Keep Spot’s Digs Stylish and Spotless” (Howell, 2009).

She recommends a polar-fleece, futon-style bed by Bowser “that’s tufted, so the insides don’t shift. Burrowing dogs, such as dachshunds, should have a small blanket they can snuggle under. Cats prefer a round concave nest.”

Pet beds should be placed away from drafty, high-traffic zones, which can disrupt rest and lead to health problems.

William Wegman, the photographer best known for Weimaraner portraits, has designed a fun line of illustrated fabrics for pet beds.

The Crypton material is resistant to stains and odor.

Crypton carpeting is in the works, too.

TempurPedic makes a great bed for older, arthritic dogs.

Put a Throver over the top to protect the cover; it’s a stain-repellent, two-sided blanket that doubles as a furniture cover.

Cool Bed III is a refillable waterbed for dogs. Bowser’s Buttercup microfiber and fleece cat nest has a drawstring to close it up snugly.

Want your pet’s bed to blend into your decor? Consider the Hardwood Hideaway, a side table with a door that opens to a sleeping spot. Place it next to your bed or the living-room sofa; the door can be adjusted to allow pets independent access, and the piece is available in several finishes.

Bowser’s Moderno chair is a contemporary, upholstered chair that looks like a miniature Corbusier.

Max Comfort’s Gustavo pet sofa is a stylish lounger complete with memory foam mattress.

Cats, privacy-seekers always, might love one of the chic, spacey looking “pods” from Hepper Home. And Merry Products’ “Atmosphere” is a groovy bamboo sphere cradling a polyester cushion.

Szabo says floor maintenance is another priority.

Elevate your pets’ food dishes if you can, for easier eating and less mess. Moderntails.com has a number of contemporary and classic dish styles.

They also stock rubber mats in different styles and sizes.

Cats tend to prefer a wide, shallow dish that accommodates sensitive whiskers; OnlyNaturalPet.com has a smart recycled glass one.

Moppable surfaces like wood, bamboo and tile work best – stick to light-toned woods to hide scratches. Carpet is necessary if you live in an apartment where the clicking of claws may disturb neighbors. Try Flor’s carpet tiles: They’re easy to vacuum, lift up to wash or replace, and won’t damage the floor.

Choose vinyl flooring that doesn’t off-gas VOCs; some pets, and people, are chemical sensitive.

Indeed, it’s best to stay away from highly perfumed pet products altogether.

Remember that animals have keen smell receptors.

Clean pet areas with green products that have little or no scent (such as Sun & Earth or Earth Friendly Products), and for fabrics, try Get Serious, a stain and odor extractor that many pet owners swear by.

Get creative about where you store the treats and gear.

Look for clear jars (so you can track contents) with locking lids; attractive baskets; and washable storage totes that coordinate with room decor.

Szabo, who writes a Pets column for The New York Post, notes several new technologies to help keep pets safe.

General Motors is developing an alarm that will sound if you leave a pet or child in the car, she says.

She also likes the PetFinder, from FinderProducts: “It’s a high-tech ID tag system that could help reunite you with Spot if s/he ever becomes lost.”

Sourcebook

www.moderntails.com Pet place mats, $27.95-99.95; acrylic, smoke gray raised water dish, $64.95; Max Utility dog bowl 42.95

www.onlynaturalpet.com Recycled glass, whisker-wide, gray or green bowl, $22.49

www.heartofmyheartpets.com Bowser Buttercup drawstring pet bed, $48; Hardwood Hideaway Table/Pet $399; Bowser raised dog feeder, wood/ceramic, from $48.

www.allmodernpet.com Bowser Moderno bed, $749.99

www.simplydogbeds.com MaxComfort BioMedic Gustavo Pet Bed Sofa, $164.99

www.petsbycsn.com Merry Products Atmosphere cat bed, $69.99

www.finderproducts.com Pet ID tag system, $14.99-19.99

[Thanks: http://www.nwherald.com]