Mythic paint introduced a revolutionary new non-toxic paint line that protects the environment and your health. “Traditional household paints contain cancer-causing toxins that can still be released into the air years after drying.” The paint contains zero VOC’s, no harmful toxins, and no unpleasant odors. The paint is also washable and offers the same quality performance and durability.

VOC’s are defined in another part of our blog. You’re sucking them in, you might as well find out what they are.

This definition of VOC came from one of our favorite design websites, Plinth and Chintz, were you can find almost any interior design related term. Plus they have the best newsletter in the design industry.

“The initials V-O-C stand for “volatile organic compound,” which is essentially any organic compound which evaporates readily to the atmosphere. Why are we listing this term in the DESIGN SPEAK section? Because they are a hot topic in the growing Sustainable Design trend. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems. These organic substances easily become vaporous / gaseous, and they are often used as quick dry solvents which, upon evaporation, give off volatiles, an increasing environmental concern. You know that “new car smell” or the lingering aroma hanging in the air after the installation of new carpet, hard-surface flooring, paint, or wallcovering? VOCs! Therefore, in an effort to improve the health of the planet, as well as the health of the end-users of their products, many manufacturers have developed (and are continually refining) production methods to lower, and ultimately eliminate, VOCs in their products.”

Hmmm… I heard that the new car smell is actually formaldehyde. Why would anyone love that smell?

Who doesn’t love HGTV for DIY? We’ve got a direct link to HGTV’s advice on:

- 10 ways to increase the value of your home anytime

- 10 ways to get the most money for your home when you sell

- advice on finding and buying the home of your dreams

- making your kitchen ready for homebuyers

- beautiful curb appeal

- and much, much more,

Find HGTV’s real estate tips and tricks here.

Leave it to New York to come up with a way to design your sleep time.  Yelo, a corporate wellness center, allows you to “design” a rejuvenation session by scheduling reflexology and/or a power nap during a busy day.

Nicolas Ronco, the entrepreneur that opened Yelo earlier this year, said it is ”for people who are overstressed and overworked.  For lawyers or brokers who abuse themselves, a power nap is a way to recharge naturally without caffeine.”

An interesting article published in the Columbus Dispatch and written by Natasha Singer of the New York Times News Service, March 8, 2007, noted, “Sleep is the new bottled water.  Although it can be had for free, it is being marketed as an upscale amenity. Now when people can’t sleep for a couple of nights, they think they are part of a national sleep epidemic and there should be something to fix it . . .You can buy sexual arousal, a new shape for your face, a skinnier silhouette, so why shouldn’t you be able to buy sleep?”

Even manufacturers are getting in on the sleep deprivation craze, trying to sell sleep.  Dove offers Calming Night, a line of soap and body wash to help induce sleep.

Sleep aids are another way to buy sleep.  They work if used as directed, however, I’ve heard of people who wake up in the middle of the night and take over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.  When the alarm goes off a few hours later they are still groggy.  The sleep aids warn that they cause sleepiness for 8-9 hours.  This means that they are driving to work in a daze (scary) and have an unproductive morning.  

Sleep is valuable if we want to be healthy and productive.  If New Yorkers can’t get a good night’s sleep at home, they can stop by Yelo where they can design the perfect relaxation and rejuvenation session.  Check it out here.   

 

 

 

Colored tile dates a bathroom and is a hard sell when competing with brand new homes and their gleaming white bathroom fixtures. What’s hot now is white subway tile. If you don’t have the funds or time for a bathroom remodel but want a similar look, consider this trick…just paint! If you do it right, you can paint the tiles and give your bathroom an updated look for less. Here are the simple steps:

1. Clean the tile thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP).
2. Apply a high quality primer.
3. Apply 2 coats of polyurethane oil-based enamel – marine grade.

Bye bye baby blue tiles!

You don’t always have to move to get a more accessible shower, nor do you have to get rid of your old bathtub.  Aging baby boomers and those losing mobility will be glad to know that for as little as $800 and in less than 4 hours, they can have their old tub transformed into a shower. Access Designs Inc. of Charlottesville, Virginia has developed a system called TubCut which removes an 18 – 36 inch passage from the wall of the bath. It is then finished it so that it appears like it was always that way.  The chunk of tub can also be reinstalled later down the road, just in case potential buyers are looking for a bathtub, and they’ll never be able to tell the difference.

All tensed up because you don’t know whether to leave your windows uncovered or put up window treatments? What’s stressing you out? Is it that you don’t want to create holes in your rental or home for sale? Well we have a solution to your problem…Levolor’s twist to fit tension rods are more attractive than typical tension rods and don’t leave holes.

Last Friday Rachel and I took a field trip to the Akron Art Museum to see for ourselves the controversial architecture.  As the museum was being built I hated it.  After reading more about the architect and his plan for infusing the city of Akron with a “three-dimensional representation of our social culture,” I came to appreciate his talent.  He is renowned for adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mixing old with new.  In this case, new is represented by his use of steel and glass with weightlessness implied by the dramatic angles of the towering structure. 

I am a firm believer in mixing old with new in design.  In my own home I have antiques in every room, but wall colors, other furniture, art and accessories represent today’s fashions. 

I feel the architect succeeded in respecting the past by surrounding the old museum’s building with the new structure, yet forging Akron into the future with today’s architectural fashion (sleek, transparent, clean lines).

The art itself is presented well in spacious rooms with hip but subdued colors (not to detract from the art itself).  Area artists from Akron, Cleveland and Hudson are well-represented.  Abstract art, sculpture and paintings are blended into each space in a comfortable flow.

I came across the most revolutionary technique for eliminating closet clutter forever.  It takes a bit of work initially, but the system for keeping clothes clutter in check is ingenious.  STEP ONE:  Take everything out of the closet.  STEP TWO:  Separate by Stay, Toss, Donate.  STEP THREE:  Group like items together - shoes, purses, scarves, ties, belts, shirts, pants, etc.  Items are to be hung BACKWARDS with the hanger opening facing forward (the opposite as you normally place the hanger on the rod.)

Now this is where it gets good.  When you wear something, return it to the hanger and hang the NORMAL WAY with the hanger opening facing back.  And then in six months look at all the BACKWARD hanging items.  Since these have not been worn in six months, get rid of them. 

This is the best way to stay on top of clothes and accessories that you don’t like, don’t fit, require too much maintenance, or do not make a complete outfit.  After all, that’s why you haven’t worn them in six months. 

Rachel is working on this system and loves it.  I’m next.

As a member of the ActiveRain real estate and staging community, I came across a secret weapon used by stagers and realtors to eliminate odors.  Called Nok-Out, this odor remover and disinfectant is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, biodegradable, and odor-free.  It deodorizes and sanitizes by attacking and eliminating the source of odors by oxidation without chemicals or contaminants.  Removes odors caused by pets, urine, mold, mildew and tobacco smoke.  It works on carpets, upholstery and other fabrics.  You can add it to a wash cycle or the litter box.  It is available at medical supply companies.  A 16-oz. spray bottle retails for about $10.00.