EBI is all about family – so many of our favorite projects involve clients whose homes center around their children & pets. One of their top concerns to all the fun & stylish pieces we present is: how will it hold up to the kiddos & furry friends?

We hear it so many times: that fabric/wallpaper/item is so beautiful – but my kids will ruin it! We’re here to assuage any fears that you don’t have to sacrifice style for family. Here are five of our tips, tricks, and recommendations to having a home that is both beautiful and family friendly!

 

Sitting Pretty

There are many cleanable, wipeable, and durable options out there for any upholstered furniture piece. The possibilities are endless! That’s why we often use fabrics like Crypton, indoor/outdoor, faux vinyl, and leather. Whether it’s sofa fabric or an upholstered ottoman, in one way or another, these options cover all our family friendly or “FF” bases.

Crypton is the superhero of fabrics, not only is it stain and odor resistant, but it can be soft and cozy too. Perfect for growing families. Check out the video to see how it holds up to stains.

Indoor/Outdoor fabric is known for its cleanability whether you need to vacuum, spot treat, or wash, this option provides comfort with no evidence of messes. We love using it on dining chairs especially – the fabric options are so beautiful, you’d never know they’re so great for kids of all ages. 😉

Our Oakton Project

Vinyl or leather are great options for eat-in areas. They easily wipe up fresh spills or dried ones. We also like to use them in areas where lots of living takes place. In our Oakton Project, we upholstered a cocktail ottoman. It’s a great option for families with young kids, as it helps soften edges. It gives feet a comfy place to rest too.

 

Beneath Your Feet

Rugs are a great way to add texture, pattern, and warmth to any room. They’re also a great way to hide dirt, stains, and pet hair. When selecting carpeting or rugs, we stick with medium to darker colors. Patterned rugs also help camouflage any imperfections from previous accidents. When it comes to “feel”, we like a nice pile, which is comfortable to sit, play, and of course, walk on.

Clients wonder what to stay away from. We say avoid rugs with deep grooves, especially in homes with pets. We all want to easily clean our floors after those inevitable accidents. Staying away from grooves & large woven rugs helps ensure nothing can be ground in or hard to remove.

Don’t let those stripes fool you – that’s a cow hide in our Haymarket I Project

One of our favorite products, the cow hide, is the ultimate choice in mixing family friendliness & high style. The natural fibers of the hide help wick away any liquid spills, whether it’s chocolate milk or red wine. Some people are hesitant about having hides in the house, but we like to point out: cattle aren’t killed for their hide.

 

Unbreaking the Mold

In our Gainesville Project, we lined the table with molded plastic chairs. A great combination of fun design & practicality.

You might’ve checked out this “FF” product in our stories earlier this week. Molded plastic & acrylic chairs, stools, and tables are an obvious choice to withstand little hands. Their wipe-ability make cleaning a breeze. We love suggesting these for a variety of rooms, from eating areas to homework stations. Modeled after many of the Eames’ furniture designs, they have no shortage of style. The best part: they don’t break the bank!

 

Stylin ‘ Side Pieces

People often forget that smaller furniture can make big impact on design. We’ve got “FF” options for those too. We stick to sturdier wood tables – they can take a beating without much wear. Another option would be metal, and especially hammered metal. It’s easy to wipe and will hide most scratches or dents.

Check out this family hang out spot in our Haymarket II Project! Those tables are oozing with style & stability.

Fabulous Finishes

Coloring the walls isn’t only for the kiddos. Wallpapers are a wonderful way to add sass and interest to any room. They’re always “in” at EBI. Papers come in a myriad of colors, patterns, and textures, now more and more of them are also available in vinyl wallcoverings. Remember what we discussed earlier about vinyl? Bingo – they’re wipeable and easily cleaned.

Other finishes we recommend for everyone, not just our families, deal with paint and flooring. Eggshell is the best option for high traffic areas of your home. It’s easy to wipe down without dulling the finish. Flooring-wise, we stick to medium brown colors for wood floors. It doesn’t show as much dust and pet hair as very dark colors, yet remains classic as lighter wood trends change. What are our favorites? Jacobean, Espresso, and Dark Walnut

Can you spot any of our “FF’ pieces in our Vienna Project?

Our bonus tip: Don’t be afraid to have pretty accessories in your home, because of the kiddos. Yes, accidents happen. Ultimately, kids will leave those things alone, and as they grow up, they’ll treat your home as you do – with care. So we say, bring on the pretty! When it comes to family & design, you really can have it all! Comfort and livability don’t have to be sacrificed for style.

 

We love using our clients as our inspiration. We want their home to be a reflection of themselves. Want to work with us? Click here to get started!