April 17, 2012 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com DECORATING TRENDS: Eco-Friendly Hardwood Floors Lead Healthy Home Trend (MS) — The "healthy home" movement has become more than just a decorating fad. It marks a major shift in the priorities and ideologies of consumers who are now making concerted efforts to seek out eco-friendly and health-conscious decor choices for their homes. Innovative designers and manufacturers have caught on to this reality and are now giving consumers more options for healthy materials for their homes. The fact is more and more information is written about the negative impact of environmental toxins on our health. Many of us aren't aware, unless we have allergies or a child with allergies, that paint odours, stains and chemicals used in manufacturing can make us sick. Making home environments healthier has become a prime concern with homeowners, as shown by the demand for low VOC paints, stains and materials, as well as natural wood cabinets, furniture and floorings. Certain manufacturers are more than answering the call for healthier, ecofriendly home decor options by setting new trends in "green" product innovation. Mercier Wood Flooring, one of North America's leading hardwood flooring manufacturers, is setting the tone in the home decor category with its latest ecoflooring innovation that is so healthy and ecofriendly that it actually was awarded the "Children and School certification" by worldrenowned standards organization Greenguard "At Mercier we have long recognized this trend and have made ecofriendliness a core value ever since our first day," explained Michel Collin, Director of Marketing for Mercier Wood Flooring. "This is why we are so proud of our Greenguard Generations 'Children and School' certified flooring, Mercier's next generation of flooring." Made using 100 per cent pure soybean oil, this revolutionary new factory-finished flooring boasts zero volatile organic compounds (VOC's) is hypoallergenic and offers a comprehensive 35-year warranty. Available in all species, colors and finish- LIGHTS towards the ceiling. • Use a low wattage energy efficient bulb to brighten up the closet. These bulbs have a long life and offer energy-efficiency and quality color. • Provide light for reading by choosing swing-arm or flexible bedside lamps. For more lighting tips and information about energy-efficient bulbs, visit www.SYLVANIA.com or www.youtube.com/sylvanialight. From Page 8 LIVING ROOM • For general lighting, use fixtures with a dimmer. The light source is concealed, and with dimming capabilities you can change the lighting of the room for various activities from reading to movie watching. A good choice for these fixtures would be the SYLVANIA Ultra A-Line 12-watt LED bulbs. They’re the brightest replacement for the typical 60-watt incandescent bulbs, while using 80 percent less energy. They also last 25 times longer. • Wall sconces and floor lamps are good sources of task lighting for reading or playing games, while track fixtures can be used to highlight art work or unique wall treatments such as wall washing or glazing. • Place light sources at various heights within the room to add visual interest. • Use translucent shades on table lamps to contribute to the ambient light level. BEDROOMS • General lighting can be provided by ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, fan lights, recessed downlights or wall sconces that use halogen or LED bulbs. • Use a floor-mounted directional fixture to project light through plants from the floor to soften a room with interesting shadows. Place the light behind a large plant or indoor tree and aim it through the leaves es, Collin added that with this new product innovation you can create a natural wood floor that offers both a distinct character to your decor, as well as a healthy, ecofriendly choice for your entire family. "We feel our Generation Greenguard flooring answers the need parents have to create healthy living environments in their homes for their children." The Greenguard Children and Schools Certification Program offers stricter certification criteria for products intended for use in schools, daycares or other environments where children spend significant periods of time. The reason is children are more sensitive to environmental exposures than adults because their bodies and brains are still developing. They breathe faster than adults and in return receive a higher dose of indoor pollution per body weight, which is why products like Mercier's Generation Greenguard flooring is such a welcome option for discerning homeowners and their families. Ideal for kids' rooms, Check Out Our New Website living rooms, daycares, schools and playrooms, this new generation of flooring is a key step in the process of creating the ideal healthy home. Power Source Electric Doug Dykstra Lorney VanGerpen - Avon Area electairinc.com More information on the latest trends in wood flooring is available at www.mercierwoodflooring.com. ROCKY JOHNSTON PA I N T I N G INTERIOR • EXTERIOR SERVING SOUTH EASTERN S.D. BOX 415 • WAKONDA, SD 605-665-0262 • 660-1689 Your Safety is our highest priority! 260.8683 MAGNAFLOW, FLOWMASTER, OEM MUFFLERS RADIATOR REPAIR, RECORING & NEW COMPLETE RADIATORS AVAILABLE. WESTERN SNOW PLOW DEALER 1908 Broadway • Yankton, SD 57078 Phone: 605-665-2710 “The best place to take a leak” MIDWEST RADIATOR & EXHAUST ?3???3???????3?????????3????3????3???3 3 ???????3?3?????????3???3????????3????3 3 ????3?????3??3????????3???3?????? 3 1211 East Hwy. 50 • Yankton, SD (605) 665-2410 Johnson Electric, LLP Gary R. Johnson Rick Merkel • Ben Merkel • Rural • Residential • Commercial • Electrical • Telephone • We Trench H20 Lines, Footing & Electric Lines • Our Bucket Truck Reaches 50’ PLUS • We Set Poles FAST COURTEOUS SERVICE 214 CAPITAL ST., YANKTON 665-5686 Complete Body Repair on All Makes and Models We also do Paintless Dent Repair, Glass Installation & Fiberglass Work B B ecker 605.665.5925 ody Shop 1702 Broadway, Yankton, SD