Browse: Local Shopping
Growing Up Green
Designer Lisa Teauge of Lisa Teague Studios in Nashua, N.H., gives you tips on designing a nursery that’s healthy for baby and the environment

Healthy options for baby’s crib include organic mattresses, available at Somnia and Your Home, Your World, and natural, chemical-free fabrics, such as organic cotton and bamboo.

It was in a dark parking lot in rural Pennsylvania where I finally gave up on the idea of another child of my own. I was driving back to New Hampshire after visiting my youngest daughter in her first year of college. I was lost and it was dark. I pulled out the map and I couldn’t read it. It was that quick. I went from being young with great eyesight to squinting and middle-aged. That’s it, I thought. I am officially too old for more children.

Still I think of babies. I am fortunate to have a design business that allows me to create special rooms for precious little lives. At the same time, the world of sustainable or “green” design is exploding. The term “organic design” often brings with it a very narrow vision. But organic design doesn’t have to squeeze into a small box; it can be traditional or contemporary, colorful or subdued. One is only limited by imagination.

Not only has it become very easy to create a room that is healthy and environmentally responsible, it seems silly not to. Here are some things to consider when designing a nursery that is healthy for both your baby and the environment.

Walls
When designing a nursery, I prefer to place the majority of the color on the walls to avoid the use of brightly colored fabrics, which often contain harsh chemical dyes. Today we have many sustainable wall treatments to choose from. Low or zero VOC paints are available through most large paint companies and some small boutique lines, including Quiet Nursery, an 18-color collection developed by Lisa Teague Studios. VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Those compounds are the nasty things that destroy the ozone layer and diminish indoor air quality. It can take weeks for those compounds to dissipate.

Another choice would be an organic earth plaster. Ancient in origin, earth plasters are completely natural and non-toxic. American Clay Earth Plaster is my favorite. American Clay is made from recycled marble dust, clay and natural mineral pigments. The surface is non-dusting and the product regulates humidity, inhibits mold growth and helps with sound absorption.  Best of all, the walls are truly beautiful, easy to repair and luscious to the touch.

Floors
Flooring is another consideration. I prefer wood flooring finished with a water-based polyurethane. Many carpets are made with synthetic materials, and even though there are wonderful natural carpets, they can collect dust and dust mites. Protecting your baby from known allergens just makes sense. Still, a soft surface is a nice idea as your baby begins to move around. I would suggest an area rug made with natural fibers or an organic cotton floor cloth.

Furniture
Creating a sustainable environment goes beyond using environmentally friendly products. There are many new and wonderful products on the market and there is a place for all, but my idea of sustainable design is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It is much better for the environment to find a new use for an existing product than to landfill it and start fresh.

Flea markets are a great resource.  For one nursery, I found an old pine dry sink that made a beautiful changing table. A natural sheepskin draped across the top created a cozy surface. 

Be careful with your baby’s bed. If you choose to restore an old crib, proper surface preparation is a must. Babies will chew on anything and you don’t want the baby to ingest any paint chips. You also will want to make sure that the slats are in good shape and are spaced at a safe distance.

A natural cotton mattress is a healthy choice for your baby’s bed. You can find them at Your Home, Your World in Concord. Somnia in Portsmouth offers organic mattresses produced wholly with natural fibers, including organic cotton, grown without the use of pesticides, chemical-free lamb’s wool from France, and natural latex liquid from sustainable rubber tree plantations.

Bedding
There are many wonderful sources here in New Hampshire that carry layettes made with healthy materials. I recently stopped into Stork on the Milford Oval. Stork carries a wide array of sweet little outfits for your baby. The store also carries several lines of bedding. All materials are organic cotton and use low-impact dyes. The palettes are sophisticated: lovely creamy tones with browns, pinks, blues, and greens. 

Super-soft bamboo combines sustainability with luxury. At Somnia bamboo can be found in bedding, pajamas, robes, and towels. Bamboo grows fast so it can be  harvested again and again without fertilizer or killing the plant. It also has anti-microbial characteristics, which means that it repels bacteria. Bamboo is popular not only for its eco-friendliness, but also for its softness and because it’s four times more absorbent than cotton, which makes it a great choice for towels.

Cleaning Products & Accessories
Avoiding harsh chemicals near your baby is a must. There are many wonderful natural cleansers. My favorite cleaning line is Mrs. Meyers. Mrs. Meyers’ products are biodegradable and are made without bleach, petroleum distillates and phosphates. They smell wonderful and are naturally aroma-therapeutic. These small boutique lines are a bit pricey but even the big box stores carry natural cleansers.

Beyond nursery design there are literally hundreds of healthy products available for you and your baby.  Other things to consider are natural diapers and diaper covers, clothing and toys made with natural materials.  The web is ripe with organic baby product sites.  Two of my favorites are Twilite Moon, www.twilitemoon.com and The Little Seed, www.thelittleseed.com.

Have fun with your baby’s room.  It is truly easy to create a healthy environment for you and your child. And most important, enjoy this precious time.  It is over in the blink of an eye, quite literally.