Pet of the Week: Poodles Strike a Pose
An interior designer and lifelong poodle lover lets her dogs in on the workday fun
These three poodles fit right in with the elegant interiors designed by their owner. When they aren’t modeling, they greet clients and go for morning walks, all while looking fabulous.
In front of the camera: The beauty and good behavior of Stein’s poodles’ have made them natural models. This one on the sofa was the first of her poodles to pose during an interior design photography shoot. Stein had taken the dog to the shoot and told her photographer, Shaw McCutcheon, that she wanted to add the dog to the scene. He insisted that he didn’t photograph dogs and never would because they move too much. Stein told him he had never photographed one of her dogs and that he wouldn’t regret it. “He gave in,” she says, “and I simply told Bailey, ‘Up, forward, stay.’ The dog did not move a muscle and we got a great shot.”
More poodle pictures: That first shot led to many, many more of dogs at interior design photo shoots. “Shaw and I laugh till this day,” Stein says. “He is the one who has taken all the photographs of my poodles on Houzz!”
For this bathtub shot, a few of the pet sitter’s poodles joined in. You can see more poodle photos in Stein’s ideabook Elegant Interiors With Poodles.
For this bathtub shot, a few of the pet sitter’s poodles joined in. You can see more poodle photos in Stein’s ideabook Elegant Interiors With Poodles.
Favorite project: This redesigned veterinary hospital is the poodles’ favorite. Not only did they model for the finished design shots, but they’re regular patients here. “The good part about this is my dogs are completely relaxed at all their vet visits because they have been going there since day one,” Stein says.
Favorite part of the workday: These dogs love quitting time. When they hear Stein shut down her computer, they all jump up because they know they’re done in the office for the day.
Break time: There’s nothing like long walks to make these pups’ tails wag. They also go for a 45-minute power walk in the morning with Stein.
Beauty routine: Good looks don’t come without some regular maintenance. Each morning after their power walk, the dogs hop up on the grooming table so Stein can brush their hair and teeth. They also get bathed, blow-dried and cut every three weeks. “High maintenance but worth it,” Stein says. “And yes, I have to get up very early every morning to do this before work.
“In order for a poodle to look its best, they need to be cut, taking into consideration their size, shape, hair texture and lifestyle. This is a design project at its best! And just like interiors, the results are priceless.”
Could your pet be a Pet of the Week? We’re looking for pets that join their owners on the job, pets that may have a space built just for them, or simply a fantastic photo of your pet in an interesting home setting. Post your best photo in the Comments and tell us your pet’s story.
Read more about pets and design
Break time: There’s nothing like long walks to make these pups’ tails wag. They also go for a 45-minute power walk in the morning with Stein.
Beauty routine: Good looks don’t come without some regular maintenance. Each morning after their power walk, the dogs hop up on the grooming table so Stein can brush their hair and teeth. They also get bathed, blow-dried and cut every three weeks. “High maintenance but worth it,” Stein says. “And yes, I have to get up very early every morning to do this before work.
“In order for a poodle to look its best, they need to be cut, taking into consideration their size, shape, hair texture and lifestyle. This is a design project at its best! And just like interiors, the results are priceless.”
Could your pet be a Pet of the Week? We’re looking for pets that join their owners on the job, pets that may have a space built just for them, or simply a fantastic photo of your pet in an interesting home setting. Post your best photo in the Comments and tell us your pet’s story.
Read more about pets and design
Pets at a Glance
Pets: Khyber and Kayla, both medium white standard poodles, and Sukey, a black miniature poodle
Ages: 8, 5 and 8, respectively
Location: Boynton Beach, Florida
Owner: Debra Stein, principal of Debra J Interiors
Meet the trio: These three poodles — Khyber, Kayla and Sukey — join designer Debra Stein in her home office every day. Even when she had an office outside the home years ago, the poodles joined her on the job. Stein rescued Khyber six years ago, and she’s had the other two since they were puppies. All three are trained in obedience and also are licensed therapy dogs.
Lifelong love: Stein fell in love with poodles as a little girl living in New York. “I would see a standard poodle walking down the street, it would stop me in my tracks,” she says. She got her first poodle, Basia, 16 years ago and has since brought four other poodles into her life.
On the job: Besides being deskside companions, the poodles take turns going to job sites — they love riding in the car. “You can actually see people relax a little when I have one with me,” Stein says. “They are all very well trained so never get in the way of a meeting or install.”