Being a home blogger and an Instagrammer, our home décor and style is important to me. I enjoy creating an inspiring stylish home, but also one that is comfortable and livable for both humans and pets. I try and provide a relaxed environment so that when my family or guests come over, there isn’t stress about spills and messes. I want it to feel warm and welcoming.Keeping that in mind, choosing the right area rug for your home can be a tough decision when you have pets. When I began to research Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet, I was intrigued because it has a lot of features perfect for pet owners.The Technology:Mohawk uses Nanoloc technology, which basically means there is built-in stain and soil protection on the carpet that won’t wear or wash off over time. That means my new SmartStrand carpet-bound rug has a spill and soil shield for easy and quick cleanup for when that mess actually happens.Forever Stain-Free:“SmartStrand Forever Clean has no dye sites where spills could adhere, so the carpet is naturally stain resistant. Even when your pet has an accident, your carpet will remain easy to clean.”Forever Clean:“Advanced Nanoloc spill and soil shield encapsulates the fibre, so it’s three times easier to remove the pet hair, soil and dander common with household pets.”Forever Pure:“With SmartStrand Forever Clean, pet accidents will not absorb into the fiber. This added protection reduces common pet-related odors.” With two boys running around and a dog, life is messy, but Mama still wants style. When style meets functionality, that is a win-win for me.Design Choice:In our sitting room, we have a dark, moody feature wall. To balance out this space, I envisioned a soft and light-coloured area rug. That is a scary choice to some. A white rug…hmmm, but paired with Mohawk’s SmartStrand technology, there is nothing to fear!