Moving to the baby's room, Bob continues to talk with Bernadette Upton of Eco-Decor about the materials used in an ideal room for baby. Although the room is designed for infants, Upton reviews safety procedures to put in place when the baby becomes a toddler, such as removing tablecloths, anchoring furniture, removing climbable furniture, and safeguarding electrical outlets. Upton reviews Treatment-free fabrics used in the window treatments, including washable cotton and solid wood to avoid the glues and formaldehyde found in pressed woods and particle board. The exposed edges and surfaces of particle board and pressboard should be completely sealed with a non-toxic sealer to stop off-gassing. The sofa is an eight-way hand-tie, which can only be constructed using solid, formaldehyde-free, wood. Upton recommends using wallpaper over vinyl, using a minimal amount of it, and airing it befor hanging. When selecting a crib, Upton recommends selecting one from after 1991 because the crib bars are a safe distance apart from one another and harmful chemicals were banned from the manufacture of children's furniture after that date. The baby's mattress is an organic, chemical-free mattress. The house has natural wood floors with throw rugs. The Baby's Breath brochure is available from the American Lung Association.

The next room on the house tour is the formal living room. The Heat-n-Glow fireplace is a direct vent model, allowing a large picture window to be placed above the firebox where the chimney would typically reside. Curtis chose "Seedling Tint" for the wall color and "Lamp Light" white for the trim, both part of the Bob Vila Signature Series paint collection. The furniture pieces are reproductions from an estate in New Hampshire and are on loan from SPNEA. A nice touch: Curtis layered two rugs to create and define an intimate conversation area.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While washing day has come a long way since the tub and washboard, it can still feel like drudgery if your laundry area needs help. Because it s so often relegated to the basement, garage or shared space in a bathroom or hallway, the laundry room needs small-space solutions to make washing a more pleasant and efficient chore. Make the best use of the floor space you have like they did a century ago in the great American bungalow: Install a drop-in ironing board or work surface and hide them away when they re not in use. A wall-mounted, accordion-style drying rack can provide 25 feet of hanging space without using any floor space at all and it saves energy. If the floor is concrete, painting it and adding an area rug would help underfoot. Keep the floor clear by using laundry sorting bins. Use shelves and labeled baskets to catch laundry that is set aside for mending or donation. If your laundry s in the mudroom or hallway, work it into the d cor by installing a countertop over the machines and hanging a curtain or louvered doors in front. If it s time for new machines, many new models have storage pedestal drawers to hide the detergent bottles and save your back while you load and unload the laundry. And remember to always look for the energy star label to save water and energy costs. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. To get your home ready for entertaining, first look at it with the eye of a realtor. Does it need a little TLC to feel more welcoming? Do you need to update your wallpaper or change the paint color? Re-upholster the furniture? Are your drapes worn or do they just need washing? Maybe purchasing a key new piece of furniture or just some throw pillows will be enough of a change to freshen up a drab house. Remember, not everything has to match or be perfect; it should just be clean, uncrowded and inviting. Also, remember that lighting can make or break a room. This is a great time to add dimmer switches or a new floor lamp in that dark corner. Halogen track lighting gives you the control you need to wash a wall or focus on your favorite artwork without making your guests feel like they re in the spotlight. Clear off as many surfaces as you can. Framed photos make great conversation starters, but arranging them on a wall instead of your coffee table will clear the way for food, drinks and games. If you re going to have overnight guests, pay special attention to the spare bedroom. First, get rid of the clutter that always ends up there. Add a fresh coat of paint, an area rug, new bed linens, all in one color family or theme. Simple touches like putting bottled water, fresh towels and guest soap in a large, wicker basket will make your guests feel pampered. With a few updates, you ll enjoy having your friends and family over and you ll love it even when the party s over! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

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