|
2. Create a
little whimsy. Think about using an object for
other than its intended purpose. For example, instead of
the little plastic disks under the furniture feet to
prevent the dreaded floor dents, why not use baby shoes?
How about using alphabet blocks with your child’s initials
as finials on a curtain rod? If you are doing a nautical
theme, what about hanging up a life preserver with you
child’s name painted on it?
3. Consider
alternatives to carpet . New carpet may look nice
and be warm and soft to walk on, but it can also be a
toxic nightmare. New carpeting contains too many chemicals
to list which may be released into the air for a long
time. Older carpets contains years of accumulated dust and
dirt that may contribute to the development of asthma.
There are many other flooring options besides carpeting
that are now coming into mainstream design. Cork flooring
is beautiful, soft and environmentally friendly. Bamboo is
another attractive environmentally friendly option. Just
make sure that the manufacturer and the installer do not
use any glues containing formaldehyde.
Natural fiber area rugs are
another option which can be laid on cork or bamboo floors
to make a play area or to give your baby a soft spot to
land while learning to walk. Wool rugs are available in
many fun designs for children’s rooms. Some people just
love the look and warmth of wall to wall carpeting and for
those there is low VOC carpeting made from recycled
plastic making it even more durable and stain resistant
than traditional carpeting.
4. Paint a
Mural . You don’t have to be Picasso, just a
little resourceful. Find a picture you like and want to
paint on the nursery wall. Enlarge the picture using a
photocopy machine and transfer to a clear plastic sheet
for an overhead projector. This can be done at a local
office supply store. Inexpensive overhead projectors are
readily available on E-bay. Just project the picture up on
the wall, trace, and paint. Remember to allow enough time
to finish all the tracing before moving the projector
since it’s very difficult to re-position it to match
exactly.
5. Get a
Breath of Fresh Air. Air purifiers are a great
addition to a nursery. They remove dust and bacteria from
the air reducing the likelihood of your baby catching a
cold or developing asthma. There is a wide range of air
purifiers on the market to choose from. The best will have
HEPA or HEGA filtration and will also remove gasses from
the air. Beware of air purifiers that contain ionizers as
they may release ozone into the air which is harmful to
lung tissue, especially for those with asthma. Air
purifiers are available in a wide range of prices but also
consider how much it will cost to operate in terms of
electricity and replacement filters. Think about how noisy
a unit is while running. If you can’t leave it on while
your baby sleeps it will not do serve much purpose in the
nursery. Air purifiers specifically designed for a baby’s
nursery that come in pink and blue and make a “white
noise” which actually helps your baby to fall asleep are
available. Now that will help you both to rest easy!
6. Add Some
Green. Plants are healthy little guys to have
around the house. They not only look good as a design
element, but they also work hard to clean the air. NASA
has tested 12 plants for their ability to remove
formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air
(Yes…those chemicals are most likely all in your home).
Consider placing a Bamboo palm, Dracaena 'Janet Craig',
Mother-in-law's tongue, Dracaena Marginata, Peace lily,
green Spider plant, or golden pothos in the nursery and
anywhere else around your home. Based on the NASA study,
an 1800 square foot home would need between 15-20 plants
to clean the air. Of course, not everyone wants to feel
like they live in a jungle but that’s why you have the air
purifier.
7. Think
Organic . Organic has escaped the confines of the
kitchen and has made its way into the bedroom. An organic
cotton and wool crib mattress is an essential item for a
healthy nursery. Traditional crib mattresses are sprayed
with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (nicknamed PBDEs).
Several animal studies have found that PBDEs build up in
the body over time and exposure during critical growth
periods may cause irreversible reproductive and nervous
system damage.1 PBDEs are chemically similar to PCB’s
which were banned in 1976 after they were found to cause
cancer and affect the immune, reproductive, nervous and
endocrine system in animals2. PBDEs are already banned in
Europe but unfortunately they are still widely used in the
US. Although it may seem like you never get any sleep with
a newborn in the house, babies actually do a lot of
sleeping--about 60% of their first year! That is a lot of
time to spend in close contact with a mattress treated
with PBDEs. Don’t worry that you will have to trade off
fire safety for general health. The wool in organic
mattresses acts to regulate temperature as well as being
naturally fire retardant without the addition of any
synthetic chemicals.
While we’re talking organic,
opt for organic sheets to go along with that mattress.
Most baby bedding contains cotton, which is the second
most heavily pesticide treated crop. The pesticides used
on cotton are also some of the most toxic. Choosing
organic bedding will ensure that your baby is not in close
contact to any pesticide residues while they are sleeping.
8. Refurbish
Some Furniture. Some furniture contains particle
board (A.K.A. pressed wood or MDF) which involves the use
of formaldehyde in the manufacturing process. The
formaldehyde can then off gas from the furniture into the
air where your baby can breathe the fumes. A crib should
always be purchased new to ensure that it meets current
safety standards so look to see that it is made from solid
wood and contains no particle board. Dressers, however,
can be purchased used and painted using natural or zero
VOC paints to complement the design scheme. Purchasing
older, used furniture is also a good way to save some
money which could be put toward other necessities...like
the organic mattress, bedding and air purifier.
9. Choose a
Theme. The theme is something you would want to
consider first but I am putting it last because it will
pull everything together. There are endless ideas for
nursery themes. You could choose a cartoon character,
angels, lady bugs, butterflies, fire engines, cars,
sports, an under-the-sea theme…you just can’t name them
all. Let’s say you decide to go with an under-the-sea
theme. You can paint the walls a pale blue color like the
Caribbean Sea. Get pictures of sea creatures and paint
them on the walls and ceiling. Use the little children’s
water shoes for underneath the furniture legs. Buy a new
crib, organic mattress and air purifier and find a used
dresser in a style you like. You could paint the dresser a
sandy color and purchase new draw pulls shaped like fish.
When your child outgrows the theme, the furniture is
painted a neutral color and you can just change the drawer
pulls. Consider a cork floor with a wool or cotton area
rug in a sea theme. Top it off by hanging a few pothos
plants to give the appearance of seaweed. You’ll have a
beautiful nursery that puts the health of your baby first.
Cynthia Smith began her mission to promote healthy home
environments during the adoption of her first child.
Cynthia owns and operates
Mother Earth Nursery Designs, LLC
to provide organic and healthy products for moms, babies
and baby’s nursery. She has an undergraduate degree in
biology from Elon University and a master’s degree from
Georgian Court University.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Smith |
