We spend a lot of time worrying about how to protect our children from dangers in our homes, but I am wondering what people have done, or plan on doing, to protect their homes from children! And pets - pets are bad too.
Life was different pre-kids. Back then I chose things because they were pretty. But now that we have a young toddler, a home daycare, and two big dogs I am starting to change things out and getting the most durable choices possible!
I have leather furniture in my living room, that is left over from my single days. But I am grateful for it as it has survived having a pen eaten on it (from the dog), crayon drawn on it, and being peed on (ick!). So leather is definitely a good choice.
We have hardwood floors throughout our main level that includes our main bedrooms. I loved it when we moved in, but now I hate it. It needs refinishing, and I am seriously considering laying a vinyl plank flooring over top of it instead. It is way more scratch resistant, easy to clean, and it will snap together without adhesive so if we sell this place a future owner can pull it up to restore the wood if they so desire.
I also really need to paint. We have flat eggshell everywhere and after being scrubbed of fingerprints, crayon and dog-dirt umpteen times it is looking pretty ragged. I am not thrilled at the idea of a high gloss paint, but I am not sure what else to do.
So what have you done? Is it possible to have a house that is both child and pet proof, and pretty??
Life was different pre-kids. Back then I chose things because they were pretty. But now that we have a young toddler, a home daycare, and two big dogs I am starting to change things out and getting the most durable choices possible!
I have leather furniture in my living room, that is left over from my single days. But I am grateful for it as it has survived having a pen eaten on it (from the dog), crayon drawn on it, and being peed on (ick!). So leather is definitely a good choice.
We have hardwood floors throughout our main level that includes our main bedrooms. I loved it when we moved in, but now I hate it. It needs refinishing, and I am seriously considering laying a vinyl plank flooring over top of it instead. It is way more scratch resistant, easy to clean, and it will snap together without adhesive so if we sell this place a future owner can pull it up to restore the wood if they so desire.
I also really need to paint. We have flat eggshell everywhere and after being scrubbed of fingerprints, crayon and dog-dirt umpteen times it is looking pretty ragged. I am not thrilled at the idea of a high gloss paint, but I am not sure what else to do.
So what have you done? Is it possible to have a house that is both child and pet proof, and pretty??
.
. That's what we're doing around here. Trashed natural materials look so much better than trashed plastic. And you know the vinyl will get trashed too, right?
). Really easy
And spills are SO much easier than carpet - no staining to worry about!!!. We do have area rugs in both our main rooms for a little bit extra padding for playing on, but I just vaccume them when I vacume everything else... I've been thinking about flipping them over for about a year now, but erm... it hasn't happend. Someday!! 
