environmentally and health-friendly paints in a myriad of colors. It’s important for both mother- to-be and baby to not be exposed to these harmful chemicals. As far as fi nish goes, eggshell is your best bet for washability, she says. However, if you prefer a fl at/matte look, paints such as Sherwin Williams’ Emerald® or Harmony® give you a low-luster, washable fi nish.
As for color, Costa says many parents still opt for traditional pastel yellow, pink or blue. But, some go for a more sophisticated look us- ing browns, grays or gray-green. Decals, let- tering and art prints make it easy to jazz up the walls. Websites with lots of creative wall treat- ment ideas are
parents.com,
pinterest.com and
pregnant.thebump.com.
FLOORS
Hardwood is the ideal. Today’s products come prefi nished, eliminating the chemicals that come from staining and fi nishing the fl oor on site. Vinyl planking or laminate are also good choices, ac- cording to Suzanne Bartlett, interior designer with Spectrum of Floors in Easton. However, these products may give off VOCs. The FloorScore and GREENGUARD® programs certify products for
low VOC emissions, so check for their ratings be- fore you buy. Other good options are cork, bam- boo and natural linoleum.
An area rug over hardwood will soften the room and give baby a comfortable place to play. Again, research before you buy. There are many products that are washable so they won’t harbor dust, dirt and dust mites that can cause allergies. If you opt for wall-to-wall carpet, Bartlett says wool carpet over rubber padding are less toxic options over conventional products. A good site for issues with nursery fl ooring and rugs is creative-baby-nurs-
ery-rooms.com, which makes recommendations for going as organic as possible.
LIGHTING
Most bedrooms have a ceiling light, either alone or incorporated into a fan. Most fan remotes have a light-dimming feature. If not, consider replacing the existing fan with a newer model. If the ceiling lamp doesn’t have a dimmer, have one installed so you can control the level of light overhead. Of course, you’ll also need at least one bedside lamp. Some now come with an automatic fade feature that gently dims the light over 15 minutes, very soothing for a sleepy tot.
every product now has a cordless version,” Kuhns explains. “It’s well worth it to use cordless treat- ments for the rest of the house, too,” to prevent ac- cidental entanglement. As for drapes or curtains, she sees a trend toward brighter colors (orange, coral, green) all in crisp, clear versions. Geo- metrics and patterns on window treatments help stimulate baby’s imagination.
Continued on Pg 41
WINDOWS
Sandy Kuhns, owner of K&H Custom Window Treatments, says, “You need room-darkening products – either shades or blinds – so that baby isn’t disturbed by sunlight.” Another option is curtains with blackout linings. There are lots of choices. Of course, safety is uppermost. “Almost
..... .The last thing you need is a noisy chair that will wake a sleep- ing baby.
because you live here®
May 2013 39
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