Pet’s Place: No Workday Is Complete Without Abby
An interior designer makes her dog a part of everyday life at her Charleston, South Carolina, company
On the job. Donaldson spends most of the day at the office with her staff, seen here. The team includes Abby, who has become the unofficial mascot of the company and even has her own bio on its website.
During the day, Abby walks around the office greeting clients, mail deliverers and sales reps. Then she’ll plop down next to a member of the team and watch her work.
Other dogs are always welcome at the office, and Abby is the first to greet them.
During the day, Abby walks around the office greeting clients, mail deliverers and sales reps. Then she’ll plop down next to a member of the team and watch her work.
Other dogs are always welcome at the office, and Abby is the first to greet them.
Movement and action always attract Abby. If you’re sorting through samples for an upcoming project, she’ll be there to watch, Donaldson says.
When Donaldson has off-site meetings, Abby stays behind and keeps the rest of the office company.
When Donaldson has off-site meetings, Abby stays behind and keeps the rest of the office company.
Favorite place to nap. Abby often curls up in a swivel chair in Donaldson’s office. She’s also a fan of soft beds and sofas.
Favorite part of the day. Lunch. Everyone stops for lunch at noon. During this group session, you’ll find Abby snacking on a little peanut butter while everyone else talks about new products, samples and job updates.
Favorite part of the day. Lunch. Everyone stops for lunch at noon. During this group session, you’ll find Abby snacking on a little peanut butter while everyone else talks about new products, samples and job updates.
The young Abby. She’s been relaxing on the porch and coming into the office ever since she was a pup.
Abby joined the family at a busy time in its life and picked up “sit” and “stay” commands quickly, Donaldson says. Those have come in handy at the office.
During the early days in the office, Abby found herself in the middle of everything: phone calls, meetings and even suitcases full of samples. The memories of young Abby are some of the funniest and most remembered around the office.
During the early days in the office, Abby found herself in the middle of everything: phone calls, meetings and even suitcases full of samples. The memories of young Abby are some of the funniest and most remembered around the office.
Pet spaces. A designer who involves her dog in every aspect of her life knows well that pet owners face challenges around the house, and Donaldson has some advice.
For the bed, she goes with fabrics that can be washed without much hassle. So if Abby leaves a few paw prints or fur behind after an afternoon nap, it’s no big deal.
Bed frame: custom from a local craftsman
For the bed, she goes with fabrics that can be washed without much hassle. So if Abby leaves a few paw prints or fur behind after an afternoon nap, it’s no big deal.
Bed frame: custom from a local craftsman
Donaldson has custom slipcovers on the sofas so she can easily take them off and wash them when needed. She recommends a cotton canvas fabric. If you have cats, she recommends microfiber fabrics because their fur will easily wipe off.
Elsewhere, Donaldson and her team like to use fabrics from Sunbrella.
She also urges clients to think about incorporating a pet-washing station if they’re considering remodeling their home. “They work great in mudrooms, laundry rooms, garages or even outside,” she says. Design the station around what works for your pet. “You can design these spaces to have features that tie in with the rest of your home and don’t look so industrial,” Donaldson says.
Chairs and sofa: Lee Industries
How to Install a Dog-Washing Station
Elsewhere, Donaldson and her team like to use fabrics from Sunbrella.
She also urges clients to think about incorporating a pet-washing station if they’re considering remodeling their home. “They work great in mudrooms, laundry rooms, garages or even outside,” she says. Design the station around what works for your pet. “You can design these spaces to have features that tie in with the rest of your home and don’t look so industrial,” Donaldson says.
Chairs and sofa: Lee Industries
How to Install a Dog-Washing Station
Part of the team. “Everyone loves Abby and she has become a bit of a mascot for Margaret Donaldson Interiors,” Donaldson says. “We love that she brings joy to our clients, makes the process a little more laid-back and keeps us all on our toes around the office.”
Outdoor sectional: Lloyd Flanders
Outdoor sectional: Lloyd Flanders
“Abby is the best, and we are so happy we get to spend our days with her, be it at the office or at home.”
Your turn: Does your office welcome pets? Share a photo with us in the Comments.
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Your turn: Does your office welcome pets? Share a photo with us in the Comments.
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Pet at a Glance
Pet: Abby, a golden retriever
Age: 4½
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Owners: Margaret and Rob Donaldson
Meet Abby. She quickly embraces other people at home and at the office of Margaret Donaldson, owner and principal interior designer at Margaret Donaldson Interiors.
Abby spends a lot of time with Donaldson and husband Rob on the couple’s front porch, and she especially likes when their kids stop by the house or when her friend Tiller, another golden retriever, comes over to play.