Room to Improve

Q. My new dog chewed up a chair and is eyeing the sofa — what can I do?

A. You might want to rethink your furnishings, starting with that sofa. One fabric you should know about is Crypton. It has a moisture barrier and is odor- and stain-resistant, so it’s good in extreme pet situations. And it’s as tough as it sounds.

“The fabric’s been thoroughly tested to withstand puncturing much more than most mainstream fabrics, so it’s great for everyday use with pets,” said Randy Rubin, the co-founder and president of Crypton.

If you want to reupholster your sofa, you can buy the fabric through the company’s Web sitewhich offers a range of colors in various textures, including twill and suede, for $50 to $80 a yard. Crypton also sells its own furniture. The Asher sofa ($1,499), upholstered in woven herringbone, is a particularly good choice, because its simple, clean lines will fit many different design schemes. The company sells dog beds, designed by the likes of William Wegman

You might also reconsider your rug — if it’s made of any fabric below industrial grade, it is in danger of being mauled. Bolon, an impressively sturdy floor covering, has the sleek, ultra-flat visual appeal of a leather floor covering but is made of tightly woven vinyl. The Swedish-made fabric comes in several colors and sizes, and is available through the Patterson, Flynn & Martin showroom in New York (212-688-7700).

“It’s really stylish flooring that just happens to be ideal for dogs,” said Todd Black, a New York-based interior designer who has two Jack Russell terriers and has recommended Bolon to his clients. Prices range from $85 to $110 a square yard, but it is generally available only to the trade, so you’ll likely need to go through a designer to buy it.

Mr. Black also suggested a rather surprising pet-friendly material: mohair. “It just doesn’t die,” he said. “It’s pretty much indestructible.” Another good choice is Ultrasuede, which will appeal to those who like leather but want something a little tougher. Desiron, a New York-based modern furniture company, offers its square-lined Hudson sofa and club chair in Ultrasuede (the sofa starts at $3,380 and the chair at $2,420; 212-353-26But no amount of redecoration will help if you don’t look at the issue from the dog’s perspective. What your dog needs is a great chew toy. The Kong dog toy ($6 to $15 from stores like Petco.is made of a durable rubber compound that’s extra-bouncy, and it holds treats inside, dispensing them periodically as the dog chews and rolls the toy around (the company also sells a line of treats). Barbara Lukowski, the president of Husky House NYC, a nonprofit organization that rescues Siberian huskies and mixed breeds, said she recommends the Kong because it keeps the dogs occupied. “Dogs chew when they’re bored,” she said, “particularly if they’re not getting enough walks and exercise.” A dog that has had enough exercise may do less damage indoors, she said, “because it will be less restless.”

Maserati's sexy new automatic sedan

(Fortune Magazine) -- For most successful people in corporate America, the average day is like a German or Japanese sedan: hard-charging, constant and complex. Competent? Yes. Thrilling? More like the perfect shade of gray.
The people at Maserati set out to change the sedan's rep three years ago with the Quattroporte. And they just might have succeeded, were it not for the decision to build that original model with a paddle-shift gearbox (Maserati figured that if such a transmission is enticing in a Ferrari, why not put it in a sedan? Because an overly involving gear-shifting system that has a herky-jerky automatic mode doesn't suit a full-sized four-door, that's why.)
It's roomy enough for the kids but still has Ferrari DNA.

I had fallen for the Quattroporte's lines from afar: Sophia Loren sex appeal, knee-weakening proportions, exotic details and an hourglass shape that belies its interior roominess. But how could a car bigger and cheaper than a Ferrari possibly deliver a similar kind of over-the-top thrill and hedonism? And had Maserati truly solved its transmission transgression?
After one week and more than 1,000 miles in a Bordeaux Pontevecchio (metallic maroon) version, I can tell you that the Maserati delivered. I drove from Los Angeles to Phoenix and back in two days, and here's what happened.
First I noticed that the car, a respectable 4,247 pounds, felt nearly as light and playful as a two-seater. While I was revving her up and slaloming through traffic, an unmistakably operatic growl reached my ears - a symphony of V-8 and exhaust notes only Italian engineers could compose (go to emotionmeetsbusiness.com to hear it).
The steering was direct, the suspension (in sport mode as opposed to normal or snow) was taut but not bone-breaking, the throttle response immediate, the braking - as proficient as a Ferrari Enzo - firm without any fade.
And then there were the tactile highlights: a Poltrona Frau leather-wrapped two-tone dash, dramatically widow's-peaked in the center. Supportive seats that also heat, cool and massage at your discretion. A mahogany steering wheel fitted so perfectly with leather inserts for my hands that it felt like built-in driving gloves.
Between you and me, the whole package provoked some rather adolescent behavior: doing doughnuts in an empty parking lot (its 49-front/51-rear weight distribution is best in class); gloating at admiring strangers; taking the long road home to log a few more smile-inducing miles.
I wasn't even overly bothered by the Quattroporte's quirks: buttons on the instrument panel whose purpose was inscrutable. Two different ways to release the parking brake. A small trunk. Maserati must figure out a better navigation system (I'm still waiting for the perfect one from any manufacturer) and retrofit for Bluetooth and iPods (hurry up and get Ferrari's new integrated Bose system, please).

Jaguar's new XKR: Brit meets brawn

Overall, Maserati's quality has improved substantially in the past few years. Is it at Lexus level? No, but I can only report that I had no problems on my watch. Most Quattroporte buyers are former Mercedes S-Class owners, so confidence in the brand is growing.
What it really comes down to is that the Quattroporte is full of passion, performance and personality. Is it for you? That depends: Do you pine for another decent day at work - or a Bellini at sunset in Venice?

Navigate Lake Tahoe by day -- then come ashore for evenings of fun

Looking for a respite from the summer's heat? Ever dream of an outdoor expedition that doesn't sacrifice elegant entertainment? If so, circumnavigating Lake Tahoe by kayak might be just the ticket.Nestled at 6,225 feet above sea level, Tahoe's 191 square miles of cool, cobalt waters hover between 50 and 70 degrees during the summer.To add to the adventure, there are numerous shoreside activities at night: theater, dancing on a cruise, exploring sunken treasures, catching a symphony, treating yourself to Hula Pie, trying your hand at the casinos. No automobile gridlock for you. See the whole thing from the seat of your self-powered kayak, and that's just skimming the surface.');-->on error resume nextMM_FlashCanPlay = ( IsObject(CreateObject("ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash." & MM_contentVersion)))Shuttle logisticsFor the most pleasant kayaking circumnavigation, plan on four to five days. And note, this isn't for everyone. There are long stretches of beach that provide no access for campers. But many have gone before you, and the Lake Tahoe Water Trail committee offers maps and advice to help you on this adventure. The committee, a group of outdoor enthusiasts with ties to the lake community, is working with outfitters and public beach stake-holders (remember, many Tahoe beaches are privately owned) to make the lake more accessible to paddlers."We're restructuring the committee, and we've got some great plans to enhance the whole process," said trail committee member Dennis Liebl of South Lake Tahoe. "In the meantime, we stress the importance of planning ahead, using the Water Trail Map & Guide, making reservations and carefully respecting the private property rights of lakefront owners."Plus, paddlers should be physically fit and have strong paddling skills before embarking on this strenuous voyage.The lake can be navigated section by section. It can be circumnavigated clockwise or counterclockwise from a number of locations.But before you go: It's a good idea to leave a written plan of your route with friends. Bring a cell phone, even though service is spotty (it's best closest to the shore). Your kayak should be safe at the public beaches and campsites where you'll stay, but you could bring along a cable and lock to secure it during your shore-side adventures.The committee's Web site, http://www.laketahoewatertrail.org/, recommends that paddlers plan trips around various entertainment options offered at the lake.Sand Harbor to Zephyr Cove: 18 miles, 6 to 9 hoursAn excellent starting point is Sand Harbor on the northeast shore, but because parking is limited, it is best to have someone drop you off. Leave early and be aware that afternoon winds can develop, causing dangerously choppy waters.From Sand Harbor, paddle south along cozy, hidden coves and beaches until you reach the Thunderbird Lodge (approximately a 60-minute paddle), Osprey and eagles nest in towering dead treetops and black bears have been spotted roaming the wilderness now managed by the U.S. Forest Service.To get a taste of the good ol' days, take a tour of the Thunderbird Lodge. Special kayak tours start at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays; boats can land at the lodge's lagoon starting at 8:45 a.m. Land tours also run daily at the same time. Make reservations ($32) at (800) 468-2463.After the lodge, continue paddling south and you'll find a number of secluded beaches and private coves. Past Secret Harbor, the shoreline curves to form Dead Man's Point and then back again to Skunk Harbor, a wide, flat and sandy public beach.Skunk Harbor makes a fine lunch spot before the paddle onward past the residential Glenbrook Bay, the Logan Scholls vista point and finally to Cave Rock, a monolith to aim for in the distance.If you're passing Cave Rock in the early morning or afternoon, you'll have your best chance to see the Lady of the Lake -- a fabled "face in the rock" gazing out onto the water.

The language of beauty

When it comes to glamorous-sounding ingredients, the French are in a league of their ownSkincare is serious business in France. "Stylo Effaceur Rides", for instance, sounds impressive, but for all I know (and given my French) it could be the lyrics to a Jacques Brel song rather than the line-reducing pen that it is.1. Clarins Expertise 3P Screen Mist - $55 for 100mlThis sounds like weird science rather than a beautifier. Technically, it's a spray-on screen against electromagnetic waves and urban pollution - skin can be harmed by more than car emissions and air-conditioning particles. It also has to cope with "electromagnetic waves generated by diverse domestic communication equipment".This is a shield that with the help of a special Magnetic Defense Complex, white tea and a glycofilm, gives biological protection and physical protection from those bad waves and other city pollution. Sounds serious.* From selected beauty therapists, pharmacies and department stores.2. Sothys Eau Thermale Spa Creme Mains Velours - $36 for 50mlA luxurious, velvety handcream, this looks after hands and nails at the same time. Good handcream is our friend. Perhaps someone could give some to Madonna, whose hands are not her best asset.Advertisementshow_ad_tag('http://ads.apn.co.nz','NZH','SEC','LIFESTYLE','STY','300X250','','');Advertisement* From selected beauty therapists.3. Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Soothing Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream -$110 for 50mlIf external aggressors don't get to skin, emotional tension and tiredness probably will - in the form of dehydrated skin, redness and sensitivity. This is plant-based with sea fennel which stimulates the production of beta-endrophin (feel-good molecules that help protect skin), which reduces tightness and the stiff, dehydrated feel. Skin is soothed.* From selected department stores and pharmacies.4. L'Oreal Revitalift Double Lifting Eye - $38 for 15mlThis is a conjoined eye cream. One side dispenses a moisturising anti-wrinkle cream to reduce the look of wrinkles and help with the appearance of bags. On the other side is a pink re-tautening gel that "forms a flexible and resistant film" to lift the look of the upper eyelid.* From selected department stores, pharmacies and supermarkets.5. Yves Saint Laurent Lisse Expert Line Eraser Kit - $296 for the kitSerious-looking stuff - five 5ml tubes of Peeling Masque and one Wrinkle Filler pen inside a mirrored case. The 4 per cent glycolic acid peeling masques annihilate dead skin, while a special extract softens the effect of the acid on the skin. There's enough here for a five-week treatment to help skin to become as smooth and radiant as possible. The pen has microspheres of dehydrated hyaluronic acid that swells when it comes into contact with the skin and increases volume significantly so lines are filled in. The pen has all sorts of other skin-friendly ingredients, too. It's like twinking out lines - albeit temporarily.

Some like it hot with Bikram

Getting all hot and bothered while it's cold outside may be just the winter tonic you need. Angela Jones reports.Fancy trying yoga but philosophically opposed to wearing small clothing and taking your socks off in the depths of a freezing winter? Do you already practice yoga, but find the supposedly relaxing lie-down, or savasana, at the end of class a torture on cold wooden floors?Bikram, or hot, yoga may be just the tonic a freezing winter body needs.An open mind and heart is needed as the whole concept behind Bikram is a little radical for Kiwis used to a more temperate climate. Yoga originates in India, where it's practised in the (relative) cool of the early morning or evening. But even gentle yoga in such an environment produces prolific quantities of sweat as warm muscles are made to stretch beyond the realm of what seems possible.Bikram yoga replicates these conditions in rooms around New Zealand heated to 38C.The heat warms your muscles to allow safer stretching and, as expected, practitioners sweat like maniacs, accelerating detoxification of the skin, blood and muscles.Advertisementshow_ad_tag('http://ads.apn.co.nz','NZH','SEC','LIFESTYLE','STY','300X250','','');Advertisement"It is actually beginners' yoga,'"says Nikki Harris, owner of Bikram Yoga in Newmarket. "It's damn nice walking into a classroom at 6:30 in the morning and have it be really warm. And you stay pretty warm for a few hours afterwards as well."The practice consists of two sets of 26 basic yoga postures and two breathing exercises designed to warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in a specific order. It promises proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health and a sense of well being.Predictably, women flock to hot yoga in the belief the sweat generated helps them lose weight.The practice is designed to aid digestion and respiration, as well as helping endocrine, lymphatic and elimination systems work harmoniously. Appetite and weight normalises with regular practice, recommended as at least three, 90-minute sessions a week (about $15-$17 a class or cheaper with concession cards).Practitioners also report other positive benefits such as greater self-awareness, a positive body image and the ability to deal with stressful situations more calmly.But Bikram is also the most controversial system of yoga, a discipline which has 5000-year-old roots. Its Beverly Hills-based founder Bikram Choudhury (www.bikramyoga.com) has taken out a patent on the series of postures which bear his name and has sued studios for breaking copyright - not particularly yogic behaviour.To certify, Bikram instructors must train at the Los Angeles-based mothership, set up their studios in a similar manner and use pre-approved scripts in class.Purists have labelled the practice "McYoga'.There may be side-effects for the uninitiated. The heat can be intense for reptile-blooded Kiwis, and some neophytes have reported crying after an hour in the intense heat.

Internet blamed for Shanghai teen pregancies

BEIJING - Nearly half of the pregnant teens in China's financial hub, Shanghai, met their partners on the Internet, state media said today.Zhang Zhengrong, a doctor who oversees the city's first-aid hotline for pregnant teens, said 46 per cent of the more than 20,000 teenage girls who called the hotline over the past two years said they had had sex with boys they met on the Internet."Most of the fathers disappeared after learning about the pregnancy, and some of the mothers did not even know the fathers' names," the China Daily said.Zhang blamed the situation on adult websites, videos and books and appealed to parents, teachers and society at large to pay more attention to sex education.A survey by Zhang's hospital found that only 7.9 per cent of the parents queried talked to their children about sex, and 79 per cent of high school and university students said they got their ideas about sex from the internet.Chinese attitudes towards sex have relaxed in recent decades, triggering a boom in extramarital relationships which the ruling Communist Party blames on bourgeois mores imported from the West.

Retail Therapy: Changing flags

Say goodbye to the old flagship store on High St and hello to an improved designer pad on Ponsonby Rd. Modus Operandi, the store you could barely move in for all those mannequins, is going against the mass-market grain by creating an intimate store that will give customers a feeling of discovery, respect, privilege and transformation. Penthouse 301, 70 Ponsonby Rd. Go to www.lovemodus.comDIY challenge Now's your chance to find out if you really can make your own designer clothing at a fraction of the price. Workshop and Helen Cherry are having a sale of exclusive European fabrics, all priced under $20 a metre, at the Workshop outlet store. Follow the signs at the corner of Wellesley and Nelson Sts. From tomorrow until Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Ph (09) 303 9290.Cut and thrust People don't often talk about cutting-edge gloves but that's exactly what Julia deVille has created. Fingerless leather ones, to be precise. The gloves are part of an Addams Family-style concept that includes jewellery, fur accessories and taxidermy. "I use the symbols of death throughout my work because I think it is important to identify with the concept that we are in fact mortal creatures," says deVille, now living in Melbourne. The gloves cost $270 to $390 from World, ph (09) 366 1559.Advertisementshow_ad_tag('http://ads.apn.co.nz','NZH','SEC','LIFESTYLE','STY','300X250','','');AdvertisementTeam spirit Were you going for Team Aniston or Team Jolie when Brad Pitt changed sides? Either way, the brand behind those T-shirts is finally coming to New Zealand. Kitson has found favour among wayward Hollywood starlets, such as Lindsay and Paris, who have been snapped at the LA store. If you don't consider that a recommendation, you can see for yourself what the hype is about in spring when the brand's edgy shoes arrive in New Zealand shops. For more information or to go on a waiting list, ph (09) 373 1460.Old campaigners John Galliano broke out the superannuated models for Dior's couture show at Versailles last week. Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, no less. They've been striding the catwalk long before some of the Eastern bloc lovelies were born.Just wonderful The little girls' wonderland that is Trelise Cooper Kids store has won the Supreme Award in the NZRIA Design Awards. The judges agreed that the Nuffield St store provides an outstanding and lasting impression."It confirms my belief that retail stores can be about experiential design that connects with the customer, whether it's a child or grandparent," says Trelise Cooper. "It's about attraction. Today, a retail store is a theatre of dreams. It's about being aspirational and having those aspirations fulfilled once someone steps inside the store."

Chinese roll up for condom fashion show

BEIJING - Condoms of all shapes and sizes were on display at a Beijing fashion show yesterday featuring dresses, hats and even lollipops made of the said item.Models fought through extravagant soap bubble special effects to show off tight-fitting wedding gowns, scaly-looking evening dresses, outrageous bikinis and other garments made entirely of condoms, inflated or otherwise.The show was held at the Fourth China Reproductive Health New Technologies and Products Expo and organized by China's largest condom manufacturer, Guilin Latex Factory, to promote the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.It also marked World Population Day, organized annually by the UN Population Fund.China, with a population now of 1.3 billion, introduced a strict one-child policy in the late 1970s under which many residents are restricted to one child."One (child) is not enough -- two are better," said visitor Song Weiliang.But the main aim of the condom show was to promote AIDS awareness.Advertisementshow_ad_tag('http://ads.apn.co.nz','NZH','SEC','LIFESTYLE','STY','300X250','','');AdvertisementChina originally stigmatized AIDS as a disease of the decadent, capitalist West -- a problem of gays, sex workers and drug users. Traditionally, none of these officially existed in communist China.It has belatedly woken up to the problem, and health experts have warned the virus is now moving into the general population. But a lack of sex education and unwillingness to talk about sex still hampers the fight, health experts say.

'Sex and the City' bakery shut by health officials

NEW YORK - A New York bakery, made famous by the television series Sex and the City and a huge draw for sweet-toothed tourists, has been shut down by health officials.Magnolia Bakery, which is credited for sparking a cupcake craze across the United States, said it had to close because it does not have a sink in the area where staff top cupcakes with pastel-colored butter cream icing by hand.The bakery said the inspection was deemed a "pre-opening inspection" because the business had new owners, having been bought in January by restaurateur and construction company owner Steven Abrams."Because the bakery has operated without this sink for the past 10 years we were unfortunately unaware we were required to install this equipment," the bakery said in a statement.The bakery said it was also cited for a missing door handle, a missing light cover, and several mouse droppings and fruit flies by its garbage area."These last two violations come in spite of a thorough three times weekly rigorous extermination and internal inspection process," said the bakery which hoped to address each of the problems by Wednesday night.