Pet’s Place: Design Fun for Shelby the Springer Spaniel
Designers in Charlotte, North Carolina, embark on a full-time business with a dog by their side
Shelby joined the Minkhorsts when she was about 2 months old. She’s named after Berkeley’s great-grandmother in Shelby, North Carolina. Like the great-grandmother, Shelby is sassy and spunky, “so the name is fitting,” Minkhorst says.
On the job: This spring, Minkhorst, left, and Lentini decided to take the plunge into full-time home design work. “Our office is in my home, so elements of my home are carried into the design of it, for consistency and design flow,” Minkhorst says. “The color is one of my favorite parts. It helps us stay creative, energized and inspired.”
They furnished the room with three desks that create a T shape, which gives each designer a place to work and a space between them to lay out projects.
Wall paint: Vardo, Farrow & Ball; rug: Jaipur Living; chairs: Cost Plus World Market; tables: Ikea
They furnished the room with three desks that create a T shape, which gives each designer a place to work and a space between them to lay out projects.
Wall paint: Vardo, Farrow & Ball; rug: Jaipur Living; chairs: Cost Plus World Market; tables: Ikea
Shelby snoozes while they work and jumps at the chance to go on a car ride to the store, meet clients or model for a home design photo. “Shelby makes everyone’s day better, so naturally everyone wants her around,” Minkhorst says.
Favorite part of the workday: Shelby gets lots of attention now that Minkhorst works from home. Before, she spent much of her time alone during the day. Now she can nudge or paw at the humans anytime for an ear scratch.
Client visits: The ride to a client’s home is just about as fun as the visit itself. “She loves being in the car with the window down and the wind in her hair,” Minkhorst says.
Often, clients specifically ask for Shelby to come along. They enjoy her company, and if the clients have kids, Shelby can act as part-time babysitter. “She can entertain the kids while the parents give us their attention on our design projects,” Minkhorst says. “It’s a win-win. Shelby gets an outing with us, and we get the parents’ attention.”
Best behavior: Shelby went to obedience school when she was younger and has had lots of exposure to people. “She loves all people, especially kids. We think it’s because they are closer to her size,” Minkhorst says. “She is always on her best behavior and is a great listener, even with those long ears.”
Payment method: Carrots and peanut butter
Payment method: Carrots and peanut butter
Pet-friendly home: Shelby can venture anywhere in the house. “It’s very hard to say no to that face,” says Minkhorst, who decided to use pet-friendly materials throughout the house.
There are sisal rugs in the living room, which tend to be easier to clean than other textiles and can hide stains, she says. The sofa was reupholstered in a stain-resistant fabric, and there’s an indoor-outdoor rug by the back door to help with muddy paws. To combat pet hair, a cordless vacuum is at the ready.
Tip: Pick furnishings that have a pattern or chunky woven fabric, as they help make pet hair less noticeable.
There are sisal rugs in the living room, which tend to be easier to clean than other textiles and can hide stains, she says. The sofa was reupholstered in a stain-resistant fabric, and there’s an indoor-outdoor rug by the back door to help with muddy paws. To combat pet hair, a cordless vacuum is at the ready.
Tip: Pick furnishings that have a pattern or chunky woven fabric, as they help make pet hair less noticeable.
Home, sweet home: “Shelby makes it easy not to take yourself too seriously — in life and work,” Minkhorst says.
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Pet at a Glance
Pet: Shelby, a springer spaniel
Age: 2
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Owner: Berkeley Minkhorst, partner at House of Nomad, and her husband, Diek
Meet Shelby: She’s a super sweet and active dog that loves going on runs every morning with owner Berkeley Minkhorst’s husband before spending the workday with Minkhorst and her business partner, Kelley Lentini. The pair run their home design company, House of Nomad, out of Minkhorst’s home, and Shelby tags along wherever they go.