Organic Bedding For A Healthier You!

We spend nearly one third of your lives asleep, and the quality of this rest period will directly affect our energy levels during the day.  Pillows and bedding are like mini-mattresses that your face and skin presses up against for hours on end every night.

Pillows and bedding should be made from natural fibers which allow our skin to breathe, and will not give off toxic fumes during the night.  Choose natural colored sheets which have not been treated with bleach, as the residue and odor often aggravates allergic reactions.

Anna Sova also carries this 100% Peruvian Baby Alpaca Bedding. Photo Courtesy of Anna Sova

The materials that your bedding is made of is very important to consider.  Watch out for polyester and polyester-blend percales.  These types of sheets and blankets are actually just soft thermoplastic, which is made from petrochemicals.  The least comfortable and most harmful bed linens you can buy are polyester 2 no-iron2 sheets.  Not only are these made from petro-chemicals but they are treated with formaldehyde resin finishes.  Cotton/polyester blends, wrinkle resistant sheets are also treated with formaldehyde.

Pottery Barn's Organic Sateen Duvet Cover and Sham is very elegant. Photo Courtesy of Pottery Barn

Giam's Organic Cotton Shaker Square Patchwork Quilt is great to punch color in contemporary interiors. Photo Courtesy of Giam.

We often forget that the colors of our bedding are an integral part of your color scheme.  The colors of the sheets and covers can have a physical and psychological effect on you.  Insomniacs will benefit from soothing and calming blues and greens, while those who live alone may take comfort in warm pinks and peaches.

Create that healthy bedroom using organic bedding and increase your health and your sleep!

Check out the rich color selections in Giam's Organic Cotton Premium Sateen bedding. Photo Courtesy of Giam

Healthy Paint – Healthy YOU!

DC is definitely into the Green Movement! So much so that there are so many organizations and advocacy going on to make your head spin and turn green. Not to bore you further, but my favorite GREEN topic to discuss is eco-friendly wall paint. Not just any paint but low to zero VOC paint products.

You see, with most of us spending so much of our time indoors, a healthy room climate, free of poisonous emissions or long-term untested toxins, is very important in creating a home that encourages good health and vitality. We want that right? Particularly since bringing in the New Year we are looking at health as one of our top New Year’s resolutions!

Wall paints have some of the biggest impact on the interior environment. Why? Because historically, wall paints on the market contained high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which refer to solvents and other chemicals which evaporate into the air when in use. These VOC’s have been linked to many health problems such as asthma and skin conditions, and not to mention that nasty odor we all have experienced.

The good news is that here are so many great positive environmentally friendly paint products on the market today, some of which are outperforming well-known brands with zero to low VOC’s!

I want you not only to know that Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and other well known brands have low to zero VOC paint, there are some lesser known brands owned by entrepreneurs who believe in healthy living!

Here are some you may consider:

photo courtesy of Yolo Colorhouse

photo courtesy of Yolo Colorhouse

YOLO Colorhouse, founded and operated by two women, Virginia Young (YO) and Janie Lowe (LO) in Portland, Oregon, was born out of a need for healthier paint and better color. They think of themselves as the “indie” paint company –and are dedicated to making paint that is better for us and the environment. Their colors are reminiscent of Feng Shui colors and the colors of nature. This is one of my all time favorite environmentally friendly products and has used it on several design products that I have managed with excellent results.

photo courtesy of Anna Sova Healthy Paints

Anna Sova Food Paint is made from food! That’s right food! Here is a partial list of ingredients: Milk casein (as in yogurt), titanium dioxide (as in powdered donuts), food grade emulsifiers and preservatives (as in milkshakes and chocolates). Their environmentally friendly paint products do not contain dozens of the toxic ingredients necessary commonly found in high VOC paint products, such as crystalline silica, ethylene glycol, toluene, mutagens vinyl acrylics or acrylic copolymers. Their paints come in a variety of colors and finishes.

photo courtesy of Divine Paints

photo courtesy of Divine Paints

Gretchen Schauffler an artist, decided to create Paint Company called Devine Color Paints located in Seattle, Washington. Devine Paints brags that their paint goes on like yogurt and looks like chiffon”. The paint feels as yummy as it looks, and while it is thick and rich the colors are radiant and feel soft mainly because of its milky finish. I had a chance to see this paint product up close and personal at a boutique interior design store while visiting friends in the Seattle, Washington area over the Thanksgiving holiday. Absolutely loved the feel of this product and can’t wait to test it on a willing client’s home!

So don’t be afraid to try out new paint products and experience the difference. A healthy home means a healthier you!

Redesign Your Very Own Home Health Spa in Your Bathroom

Rather than think of the bathroom as a place to clean your body, create a health spa which will include a variety of relaxation aids such as sound, color, light, air and moisture loving plants.  Even if you are decorating a small bathroom, there are many things we can do to make the most of your space.

• Make a place for a candlestick or candles permanently in the bathroom.

Check out Anna Sova's Beeswax Pillar Candles. Perfect for that spa bath retreat! Photo Courtesy of Anna Sova

• Use soft lighting, especially bulbs with a yellow or pinkish tint.
• Keep moisture-loving plants in the room.
• Locate power outlets nearby the bathroom so you can play relaxing music.
• Have a chair or stool in your bathroom so you can enjoy a manicure or pedicure.
• Get as much natural light and air into the room as possible keeping a healthy atmosphere in the bathroom.

Try these Anna Sova 100% Organic Cotton Fingertip Towels available through AnnaSova.com. Photo Courtesy of Anna Sova

• Use organic cotton bath mat, flannel and towels.
• Use potpourri or a Feng Shui Spray as a room deodorizer.

Anna Sova Soap Salts perfect for that spa bath. Available at AnnaSova.com. Photo courtesy of Anna Sova

• Make a natural display of shells, soaps or bottles in the bathroom
• Use towels of appropriate colors to either warm or relax you.

Make a list of items required to enhance your existing bathroom to make it a more relaxing and meditative space.  Price your items from various retailers and add up the total cost.

In redesigning your bathroom altogether, pay attention to tiles, showerheads, flooring, walls and lighting.  Include whenever possible eco-friendly materials in your overall design.

Enjoy your spa retreat- you deserve it!