February
25
5 Tips for Happy Homes
1. When painting, use specially formulated paints for low odor and low VOC (volatile organic compounds- the stuff EPA regulates to control air pollution) emission. These paints are available in latex flat, eggshell and semi-gloss finishes- so they’re also easy to apply and clean up
2. Choose colors carefully in your home- they will affect your emotional and physical states. For example, a soft yellow can evoke feelings of happiness and warmth, while a harsh yellow can cause uneasiness in a room. Bright colors are stimulating- perfect for a dining or play -room, while warm neutrals are calming and serene and give off a quiet luxury in bedrooms and living rooms. Know the effect you are going for in each room before deciding on colors.
3. Use water-based, rather than petroleum-based, finishes on your hardwood floors to limit chemical odors and fumes during refinishing. Or, if installing new floors, choose pre-finished hardwood that requires no sanding or top coating so you won’t bring unwelcome dust and chemicals into your home.
4. Consider cotton area rugs instead of wool or synthetics for rooms that require more than just a bare floor. They’re soft, colorful, inexpensive, less likely to cause an allergic reaction than wool and have none of the chemical odor usually associated with synthetic carpets.
5. Purchase a large decorative basket with a washable cloth liner or purchase a wooden shoe tray to leave at the door and hold shoes. Removing street shoes at the door keeps the petrochemicals in street tar and resurfacing materials from moving through your home. Your floors will not only be “healthier”, they’ll last longer and look better.
With Love,
Debbie
Interior Designer to the Slobs!
February 25th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
http://www.mythicpaint.com/ – great stuff – zero voc and incredibly thick beautiful application!