INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNITURE GUIDE

BABY FURNITURE IDEAS

Look Mama! No Crib Bumper Pads – Go Mama Go product spotlight

May 28th, 2010

Go Mama Go Designs offer a revolutionary way to make sleepy-time safer and more comfortable for infants. Crib bedding sets made by this company skip crib bumper pads altogether, opting instead for vertical crib bumpers. These uniquely designed crib bumper sets are more breathable than standard crib bumpers, allowing air to circulate better, keeping baby cooler and fresher. Go Mama Go vertical style crib bumpers also reduce the risk of SIDS and are easy to install, use and clean.

The idea is simple. The vertical bumpers wrap around each of the crib’s vertical rails. Because infant little fingers grow to be curious little fingers, Go Mama Go bumpers don’t use Velcro, but rather zippers instead. These run from top to bottom, positioning them below the mattress line when properly fastened and therefore safely out of reach of tiny hands. Each Go Mama Go is 5” wide and is made of soft, stretchable materials that essentially mould themselves to fit the rails of the crib. And they can be easily thrown into the washing machine.

Go Mama Go wonder bumpers are available in packs that can customized to the crib you purchased. The average crib can have 30 to 60 rails. Before deciding on a Go Mama Go crib set, count the verticals rails on your crib. They are simple to put on, there are no ties and they everything from blankies to bumpers are made of very soft materials that will feel good on baby’s skin. Because they cover the entire length of the rail, should a little mishap occur, baby’s head is better protected.

Go Mama Go Designs was created by two enterprising moms in 2006. They were motivated (and continue to be motivated) to designs baby crib products that contributed to a safe and cozy environment for sleeping. Go Mama Go wonder bumpers and wonder bumper crib bedding sets are as innovative and functional as they are fun and fashionable.

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What to Look for in a Changing Table

May 27th, 2010

You know you need one, but especially if this is your first child, you might not know exactly what to look for. And then there is the faction that advises to skip the changing table step altogether since you won’t be using it for very long. But even if you won’t need it much past the 18 month mark, it will be well-used for other fun activities such as cutting toe nails, brushing hair and wiping your little one’s nose. Since you will be changing your baby any from 5,475 to 8,213 times during a year and a half, it’s important to select one that is comfortable for both you and your baby. Another good thing about a changing table is that it provides a safe place for you to change your child while allowing you to organize everything you need to keep close to hand.

Essentially, there are three main types of changing tables to choose from: the dresser/changing table combo; the open shelf changing table; the combination changing table. If you are the type of person that likes health, beauty and baby products conveniently handy but out of sight, select a changing table that provides hidden storage like a dresser/changing table or a combination changing table. On the other hand, if you don’t want to bother with opening and closing doors and drawers when trying to make your child dry and comfortable, pick an open shelf changing table.

The trick to choosing the “right” changing table is to select one that will be the most useful to you. Before making a final decision as to which one you’ll purchase, check the following:

  • Height – for you to be comfortable when changing a diaper, the changing table should come up to your waist
  • Orientation – Some changing tables are oriented so that you are changing your child at an angle from one side. Other types of changing tables like the Badger Basket Corner Baby Changing Table are designed so that the baby’s feet are pointing toward you. Since you are directly facing your infant it can be easier and faster when you’re changing your little one
  • Features – Some manufacturers include a changing pad with safety straps or include rails or raised sides. Other types of change tables come with different organizational features such as trays, baskets or cubbies. Pick a change table that has the right combination of safety features and organizational features that will give you the most peace of mind.
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How to Create a Wall Mural for your Nursery

May 3rd, 2010

You’re in the first planning stages of your nursery. You have some idea of what you want, but you don’t want to just slap some paint on the wall. Even choosing to paint the walls with two colors, one for main color, one as an accent shade, doesn’t quite feet right. You want something else for your little one’s first room. How about a mural? A mural ties the theme you have chosen for your nursery together with all of the other nursery décor elements in the room, including the baby furniture and the crib bedding. Because it’s typically on a large expanse of the wall or even two or three walls, portions of it will be at eye level when baby is in the crib or being held, which helps stimulate brain activity and the senses. The best thing about a nursery mural is that it is totally unique to you and your new baby.

Painting a Mural

Pick a picture from a catalog, magazine or poster. 

Trace the image onto an overhead transparency.

Project the transparency on the wall. If you don’t have a projector or can’t borrow one, try holding the picture in front of a bright light such as a halogen lamp.

Using chalk, which can be easily wiped away as opposed to pencil markings that can be harder to wash off, trace the outlines of the projected onto the wall.

Now you’re ready to paint. Go slow and take your time: you (really) don’t want to paint outside of the lines. Before adding the finer details like spots on a tiger or the leaves on a tree, make sure that the main wall color doesn’t show through.

Because you’ll be using more than one color, plan on painting your mural in stages to allow for the paint to dry.

Once the painting has been finished and has thoroughly dried, wipe the area with a lightly damp cloth to remove any chalk traces.

Other Mural Painting Tips

Another alternative to using a projected image is stencils. They can be traced onto the wall using chalk as well.

Plan on having a number of different sized brushes on hand – a flat paintbrush for broader areas, round paintbrushes for painting in details and outlines.

Yet another wall mural option skips painting altogether. Peel and stick vinyl pieces let you design your own nursery mural without having to paint. They are often available in themed packs; all you have to do is to decide how and where they are going to be arranged on the wall.

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Designing a Green Nursery Part 3 – Buying Eco-Friendly Baby Products

April 30th, 2010

During the first months of their lives, the immune systems of infants are still developing. At this stage, they tend to be more susceptible to their environs and sometimes have difficulty in processing toxins. It is for this reason that a green nursery or an eco-friendly nursery appeals to many parents. Even for parents who are not specifically eco-conscious or are actively living sustainably, they are very interested in creating the safest and least toxic environment as possible for their new baby. Today in the third (and last) part of this mini-series, we’ll look at what it means to buy eco-friendly baby products.

It’s a well-known fact that babies tend to get a little messy. For this reason it might be tempting to purchase items like crib bedding, crib mattresses, baby blankets, pillows and clothes that stain or moisture resistant. When purchasing baby products for your green nursery, skip any thing that has been treated; especially avoid fire retardants commonly used in the making of crib mattresses.

And speaking of messy, while it might seem very labor-intensive and there’s no denying that disposable diapers are much more convenient, reusable organic cloth diapers are much kinder to the environment. While a disposable diaper may be as soft on baby’s skin, the cloth diaper, particularly some organic versions, are actually more breathable, and therefore are more comfortable for baby.

Especially since they will inevitably end up in your baby’s mouth, look for toys made of wood with non-toxic finishes or of natural fibers. For baby products like teething rings, soothers and chew toys that are often made from plastics, stay away from ones made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic that can be potentially harmful to your child.

For baby products like lotions, shampoos and diaper creams, look for eco-friendly baby skin care items that don’t use harsh detergents and other potentially toxic chemicals. Ditto for any cleaning products or solutions you plan on using in your nursery and anywhere in your home that baby will come into direct contact with what is being cleaned.

It used to be more difficult to find eco friendly baby products. But it isn’t so complicated anymore. As more of us are finding ways to be kinder to the environment (and to our children and ourselves), manufacturers of baby furniture and baby products are responding by offering a variety of sustainable, eco friendly or organic baby products.

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Holiday Gift Ideas for Babies

November 20th, 2009

There is probably nothing better in this whole wide world than watching a little one open a gift, especially if it’s his or her very first Christmas present ever. The air crackles around them with excitement, expectation and pure joy. And this is even before they have torn open the paper. Watch their eyes shine like stars when they discover what’s inside.

Whether you’re a new parent, an aunt, an uncle or a friend of a new parent or parents, you might not know what kind of present to buy a baby. When choosing a gift for a young one, it is important to keep in mind that they are growing so quickly, literally changing overnight with each passing day and what a baby can do at six months, they couldn’t do at two. Even though they are developing rapidly during their first year, it is easy to give the ideal gift if you buy the present to roughly correspond to how old the baby will be at Christmas.

Gifts for Babies Including Newborns (0 to 6 months)

Blue Baby Coated Bib

Baby Bib

Bibs for boy or girl babies will come in handy for the first year of the little one’s life. Sure, choose ones that look pretty or stylish, but also ensure that they are absorbent and machine washable. Cotton is the best material for absorbency. For optimum functionality, select bibs that fasten with Velcro; this will allow mom or dad to attach the bib to a diaper bag for accessibility when they’re on the go with baby.

Sunshine Kids Noah's Tag Along

They won’t be needing them until they are a bit older (6 months or more), but you can help new moms and dads get ready for teething time. Teethers and teething toys help sooth baby when they are cutting teeth. The hallmarks of a good teether are softness, durability and easy for baby to grasp. They should also be easy to clean. Small toys with a smoother surface (not fuzzy like a stuffed bear) that can be put in the freezer also make great teething toys.

Boikido 12 Piece Musical Blocks

Babies love music and motion and moms will love the fact that baby is happily entertained while on the move. They most likely have a mobile over their crib, so why not give baby one that is designed to go where they go. Don’t forget to make it colorful to help stimulate their senses and keep them engaged.

Gifts for Babies 6 to 12 Months

Go Bat & Wobble Penguin

At this stage of the game, anywhere from 6 to 12 months they are sitting up, moving around and thinking about crawling. Encouraging physical activity with toys the move, bob and jiggle are a great way to get baby to do the same.

Boikido 12 Piece Musical Blocks

Blocks are good for developing and strengthening all sorts of skills, including motor and hand-eye coordination. To ensure that they will be educational as well as fun, select a block set with a specific theme, such numbers, the alphabet or shapes and colors.

Babies Polar Bear Plush Toy

You can never go wrong with giving a baby a stuffed animal, plusher the better. Something ultra-soft to the touch is particularly comforting and soothing to little ones.

Other gifts you can buy for babies 12 months and under are books, videos and music CDs. Many early years educators can’t stress enough the benefits of storytelling in any of its various forms, the earlier the better.

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Make Your Kitchen Children friendly

November 5th, 2009

Baby safe in Kitchen

The kitchen can be an especially dangerous place for toddlers and young children. Due to the open concept design of the first floor of their home, my best friend stopped making preserves in the fall for three and a half years while her son and daughter grew out of the “darting” stage because there was no way to mount safety gates. Once they were old enough to be aware of the dangers and learn how to listen to warnings, she began canning seasonal fruits and vegetables again. But while they were toddlers, she soon realized that she just wasn’t quick enough to protect them from the potential hazards that surrounded the canning process without keeping them out of the kitchen.

Cardinal Gates The AutoLock Pressure Steel Gate in Brown

It’s not just the stove that poses a potential danger, but knives, plugged in appliances and anything breakable like glasses and dishware also pose very real hazards. Anything shiny might be an interesting toy to play with. Cupboard doors are an invitation for exploration. The best way to prevent accidents from happening is to keep them out of the kitchen as much as possible. Security gates are an easy and convenient way to keep young children out of the kitchen while there are hot pots on the stove.

Fisher Price Newborn-to-Toddler Bouncer

If a kitchen security gate is not an option, keep your child occupied in another part of the house. Whenever you have to be in the kitchen for an extended period of time, put young children in a safe place like a play yard or a bouncer. If they can’t be in your line of sight while you’re in the kitchen or you’re making the most of their naptime to get a head start on meal prep, take the baby monitor with you.

Dream Baby Home Safety Value Kit

Even if you do have a security gate barring entrance to the kitchen, go the extra mile and child-proof low kitchen cupboards and anything else that are within the reach of curious little fingers. Use outlet covers wherever applicable; safety covers specifically intended for stove knobs; and door/drawer safety latches.

KidCo BabySteps Disposable Placemats

Practice good safety habits and be consistent. Don’t use anything dangly in your kitchen like cords that are a part of the window treatments or tablecloths. Get in the habit of removing placemats from the table or any other items that might tempt your child to grab or reach for. When at the stove, even if the little one doesn’t happen to be around at the moment, turn handles inward, don’t leave elements that are on unattended. When removing items from the stove, microwave or oven, never do so over your child’s head. Load the dishwasher all at once and never walk away leaving the door open, especially when they there are knives or other sharp objects in the silverware basket.

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