Amazing Pet-Friendly Home Features HGTV's Vacation House Rules Added To A Lakeside Retreat
Warm weather is often the time when families look forward to going on vacation, but there's one member of the family who's sometimes left out of the plans. Many destinations don't allow pets, so Rover must be sent on his own "vacation" to stay with a friend or at a doggie camp. Because pets are part of the family, they should also be part of the family vacation. At least that's what Scott McGillivray believes when he designs a perfect pet-friendly lakeside retreat on an episode of HGTV's "Vacation House Rules," per HGTV. Located in the scenic region of Halliburton, Ontario, McGillivray redesigns this lakeside family home to include an outdoor dog-washing station, a pet-sized trundle bed, and a custom-built dog house. Now this retreat is a place where every family member can relax and enjoy some time away.
On his show, McGillivray likes to apply his famous Vacation House Rules to guide him as he renovates a property. The first rule he applies to this renovation is Do Your Research. In this case, he discovered that a pet-friendly home is one of the most popular requests people search for when looking for a vacation property. "Less than 25% of rentals are pet-friendly," he explains. "To be able to accommodate pets is a bit of a competitive advantage." The amenities he adds to this home appeal to anyone traveling with pets and make the home stand out from all the rest.
Dog-washing station
Another Vacation House Rule is to Plan Your Design, and McGillivray works with the show's designer, Debra Salmoni, to create a customized dog house painted the same colors as the main house. Featuring a small deck and even a window box, this oversized dog house can accommodate several pets with plenty of room for them to relax in their own retreat. Its charming style makes it look like a miniature version of the vacation home, but it is created with different materials to ensure the pet's comfort. They avoid using asphalt shingles, which would retain too much heat, and they also decide against sheet metal roofing, which could be too loud during a rainstorm.
The duo continued to implement their design with another amenity that encourages guests to include their pets in the family activities. Because the lake house is set in the woods, it's natural that pets will want to hike and discover the area with the rest of the family. McGillivray explains, "They're going to be out exploring in the woods, getting in the dirt, jumping in the lake — they're going to get dirty!" For this reason, the hosts created an outdoor dog-washing station on the side of the house. The area features large flagstones surrounded by a layer of pebbles, with a handheld sprayer fitted with hot and cold temperature controls for extra comfort for the pet.
Pet-friendly trundle bed
McGillivray explains that a crucial Vacation House Rule is Get Noticed, and he makes this vacation property stand out with another special feature meant for pets. Upstairs in the main house, he adds a special pull-out trundle bed that's just right for dogs or other animals. The trundle bed is the perfect size for a crib mattress, and there's even room for toys at the end of the bed. After a full day of running through the woods, playing in the dog house, and cleaning up at the washing station, a happy pet will be ready for a good night's sleep in its own customized bed.
One of McGillivray's last rules is Be Your Guest, which means taking a moment to consider what's important to the vacation guest. This rule reflects his overall vision for this pet-friendly home. Knowing that many people want to bring their pets on vacation, he's designed a home that doesn't just make room for pets but showcases special amenities that they will enjoy. As McGillivray says, "These are just the personal touches that really make a difference, that make people feel comfortable right away." When each family member is included in the vacation, it's a memorable time for everyone.