Sunday, September 15, 2019

Best Rated Space Heaters for Kids Rooms and Nurseries



Top Space Heaters for Baby Nursery

Keeping the Kids Warm and Safe This Winter

With home heating costs as high as they are—often too high to heat the whole house—many parents ask themselves, "What is the best way to keep the kids snug at night?" As adults, we are often most comfortable turning the thermostat down at night and snuggling under the covers. Some of us bring our small children into our own rooms or even our own beds. But many want their babies and toddlers to have a warm and cozy room of their own.

Space heaters save money compared to built-in heaters because they only use enough energy to heat the room that you are using. Modern space heaters can be made safe enough to use in a child's room or nursery. This guide has everything you need to pick the right space heater for a kids room or nursery


In a hurry? Click here to shop the top-selling space heaters on Amazon.com today.

Safety Features to Look for on Space Heaters for Use Near Children

The Vornado Tempa Nursery Heater is a Top Seller
Although it's questionable to use a space heater in your child's room while you are sleeping, you can use one where he or she plays or naps. Look for the following features in a heater for use around small children:
  • Cool surface temperature. A ceramic heating element, if it has a large surface area or is enclosed in a large container, can be kept cool enough not to burn a probing finger, even at its hottest setting.
  • A safety switch that turns the heater off if it falls over, or gets knocked over.
  • A switch that turns the heater off if its temperature exceeds a certain limit (that is, a thermostat, or something that works like a thermostat).
  • If the heater has a fan to circulate air, the grate around the fan should have small enough openings to keep fingers away from the fan.
  • If the heater is to be wall-mounted, you need a place to install it high enough up so that the warm surface and the controls are out of reach.

Two Good Portable Heaters for Use Near Children

Based on safety features and customer reviews, here are the top two space heaters recommended for use in baby or children's rooms.

1. Vornadobaby Tempa Nursery Heater

  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PXH6PD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00PXH6PD6&linkCode=as2&tag=findlike-20&linkId=DQKCM6NTOWTAGCOC


This may be your best choice for a portable electric heater to use around kids. The entire Vornadobaby line of heating, cooling and conditioning appliances are made with children in mind. A tip-over switch will immediately cut power if the unit tips over, and its coil-free design means a cool-touch exterior even after hours of operation, making it safe for little fingers. A locking control panel allows you to set the temperature and not worry about curious fingers changing those settings. Plus, all Vornadobaby products come with a Happy Parent 5-Year Guarantee which means a lot coming from this well-respected home appliance company.

2. DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater


The Delonghi Mica Panel Heater is available on Amazon and has 100s of customer reviews

This is one of the best wall-mountable flat panel heaters for use around kids. Panel heaters with a mica or ceramic element provide quiet heat without any fans or blowers. These heaters can be set on the floor, or mounted on the wall, keeping them and their cords out of reach. Safety features include an internal tip-over switch which will turn it off if it falls over. Like the Vornado heater above, this DeLonghi mica panel heater puts out considerable heat (1500 watts), but unlike the Vornado, it has no fan to circulate the heat. Nevertheless, the front panel remains warm, not hot, to the touch, keeping little fingers safe.

We have had a DeLonghi panel heater in my son's room since he was a baby and it has provided quick, quiet, and comfortable heat on demand. It's no wonder his room is our favorite place to play, read, and cuddle once the weather gets cold.

Wall Mounted Heaters for Kids Rooms and Nurseries

Safe wall mounted space heaters

Pick a wall-mounted space heater for unobtrusive warmth year-round? These wall-mounted options are great because they are out of babies way and have no cords to worry about.


Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Space Heater with WiFi





Save floor space for your little explorers, and opt for a wall-mounted infrared heater like this one from Heat Storm. This smart space heater combines with the humidity in the air to create safe warmth without reducing humidity or oxygen in your room. Wifi app allows you to check on the temperature from anywhere, and the grill always stay safe-to-touch.

Click below to learn more about this amazing family of ETL Safety Certified heaters:



Econo-Heat Flat Panel Heater



Energy-efficient and Quiet Space Heater

Econo-Heat fits the whole checklist of must-haves for a safe space heater for a child's bedroom or nursery.

Econo-Heat 0603 E-Heater, White
  • Econo-heat mounts on the wall so there are no cords to worry about.
  • Econo-heat is virtually silent
  • Econo-heat is energy efficient, using only 120V
  • Econo-heat can be painted to blend into your room
  • Econo-heat gets top reviews from satisfied Amazon.com customers
So check out this top seller and get yours before they sell out on Amazon for the winter.
Read the many satisfied customer reviews of the Econo-Heat 0603 E-Heater at Amazon.com.


Econo-Heat 0603 E-Heater, White
This popular wall-mounting space heater can be painted to blend into your space. Act fast, when the weather gets cool, this space heater tends to sell out quickly.

More Top-Rated Portable Heater Models

Sunpentown SPT SH-1507 Mini-Tower Ceramic Heater



The Sunpentown tower heater is a small ceramic heating unit with two settings that can heat a small room easily despite its small size. Read the many satisfied customer reviews on Amazon.com to see why this one is a favorite. Plus, it is super cute and brings a pop of color to your room! This orange space heater would look so cute in my little boy's modernistic bedroom. 

Sunpentown SPT SH-1507 Mini-Tower Ceramic Heater

This mini-tower can heat your room and add a pop of unexpected color, too! Buy Now

Buy the DeLonghi Safeheat 1500W Heater on Amazon


This basic, portable space heater option from Delonghi moves easily from the playroom to the bedroom


The Delonghi SafeHeat ceramic heater packs a lot of features into a portable space heater that can travel with you from room to room. Safe, quiet ceramic heat will warm your room while safety features like auto-shutoff prevent the unit from overheating, and little fingers cannot get into the closely spaced grille. No need to put this unit away in the summer months - just put it into fan mode to cool off your room!


Stadler Anna Heater

A Modern, Standing Heater


The Anna Heater by Stadler has minimalist good looks which blend into any space. Easily mistaken for a stereo speaker, this heater features safety features such as a self-regulating ceramic heating element and shut-off switch in case the unit should tip over.
Once you put one in your child's bedroom, don't be surprised if you want another for your family room, living room or office. This unobtrusive design is great for modern and contemporary spaces.
Want to see more space heaters with sleek, modern styling? Click here.


Stadler Form Anna Heater
Need your space heater to look hot while keeping your room warm? Pick the ANNA from Stadler.
Buy Now

Is It Okay to Leave The Heater On While You Sleep?

For years, experts have recommended against leaving an electric heater unattended in a child's room. Consumer Reports says it’s safest to keep little kids away from space heaters. “Don’t leave an electric heater unattended when it’s plugged in.” Children have been injured and killed in accidents caused by space heaters. A space heater’s thermostat can get stuck and overheat the room to a dangerous temperature; a heater can set bedding and other materials on fire if it is too close to them. Hot elements can burn a child who touches them.

Some parents would go to sleep with a space heater on in a child's room, but most wouldn't. You can't be sure that electric heaters and their safety features will function perfectly; short circuits and manufacturing defects happen. Appliances nowadays have more safety features than they used to but aren't necessarily manufactured any better.

Safety Rules for Space Heaters

Here are some things that you should clearly NEVER do if you use a space heater, according to Consumer Reports and the National Fire Protection Association:
  • Never use an electric heater that isn’t “Underwriter’s Laboratory” certified, that is, that doesn’t have a "UL" sticker on the bottom.
  • Except in a real emergency like a massive power outage, don’t use a portable fuel-burning heater indoors—this goes for gas, kerosene, or coal—because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Never drape things (like wet clothes) over a heater to dry them. They very often catch fire.
  • Do not use a heater within three feet of anything combustible such as bedspreads, curtains, or clothes.
  • Never set a portable heater on a high surface where it could fall down onto something that could burn.
  • Never let an electric heater get wet.
  • Don’t put the cord of an electric heater under the carpet where it can get trampled and worn; keep it visible.
  • Don’t overload your electric outlets, which could cause a fire. It's safest not to plug a second device into the same outlet or extension cord as a heater.

Need a humidifier or air purifier made for the nursery? Learn more about the full Vornadobaby line here.


More Ways to Keep Kids Safe, Warm and Entertained:




Thursday, May 30, 2019

Best Modern Outdoor Furniture Brands



For those with modern sensibilities, shopping for patio furniture can be a frustrating process. Shops like Pottery Barn and Home Depot feature clunky, traditional pieces, while more modern outlets like Ikea and Crate and Barrel often feature poor quality which lasts only one season.

Luckily, there are beautifully designed modern outdoor furniture brands which are made with high-quality materials meant to withstand the environment. In fact, some of these brands boast heirloom quality that will last a lifetime. You just need to know where to look.

Best Modern Outdoor Furniture Brands 2019

Read about these top-rated outdoor furniture brands known for their modern design aesthetic, quality construction, and weatherproof materials. Then, check out 2Modern - my recommended online retailer for purchasing modern furniture for inside and outside your home - to order with Free Shipping and no Sales Tax in most states.

Loll Designs

Known for their instantly recognizable modern Adirondack chairs and rockers, Loll Designs combines bright colors and eco-friendly recycled materials to reinterpret classic designs for modern outdoor spaces. Many of their outdoor tables, chairs, and loungers are made from recycled milk jugs and then infused with pigments throughout to avoid fading and stay bright and colorful after years of outdoor use.

Loll Designs award-winning outdoor furniture designs are also designed and produced entirely in the USA. You'll see these pieces frequently in commercial outdoor spaces, parks, and restaurant patios. A sign that these pieces are made to last and frequently specified by landscape architects and designers for their outdoor projects.

A fresh interpretation of the Adirondack chair made from recycled milk jugs and perfect for your modern farmhouse 





Shop Loll Designs at 2Modern and get Free Shipping and free design guidance.

Fermob


Are you looking for a metal outdoor dining set that doesn't look like Grandma's patio furniture? Fermob is a great pick.

Casual and colorful, outdoor furniture by Fermob fits into any setting. This French manufacturer designs pieces which hearken back to classic designs, like colorful bistro sets and aluminum benches. They also carry a full suite of pool furniture including mesh lounge chairs, and sofas with cushions, and boast a range of 23 different furniture finishes. If colorful aluminum outdoor furniture is your thing, make Fermob your go-to.


Fermob pieces are popular for both residential and commercial use and you'll often see their rainbow-hued outdoor tables and chairs on restaurant patios. But, unlike other modern outdoor furniture manufacturers, Fermob pieces are priced right for your home project, and unlike flimsy aluminum outdoor furniture, these pieces will provide years of enjoyment.


Vondom

Vondom offers unlimited combinations of outdoor dining chairs and tables

Another favorite with resorts and hotels, Vondom makes pieces which will fit your modern home's outdoor spaces. Known for the injection molded acrylic furniture in avant-garde shapes and styles, their glamorous collections offer color and variety for your space. A signature feature of Vondom outdoor furniture is their use of LEDs. You can light up anything from a planter to a lounger with their ingenious hidden LED lights which can charge discretely in your outdoor space.


Like most of Vondom's modern outdoor collections, the Faz Daybed by Vondom comes in 25 color options AND an LED light-up version. Perfect for adding drama to your pool patio.



Add drama to your outdoor space with avant-garde planters and stools from the Vondom Adan collection. Shop the full assortment of Vondom planters here.


Barlow Tyrie


Barlow Tyrie Mercury Deep Seating Collection is weatherproof and modular. 

Barlow Tyrie is an outdoor furniture industry leader with several popular collections which showcase their modern aesthetic. With a long history in outdoor furniture design and manufacturing, Barlow Tyrie brings their expertise in materials including teak, cast aluminum, and ceramic to create pieces which can withstand the outdoor environment and become cherished heirlooms passed through generations. Their modern collections showcase sleek aluminum frames, weatherproof Sunbrella upholstery, and teak and rope accents which add warmth and history to their designs.



Barlow Tyrie is a favorite with the hospitality industry and their outdoor furniture and umbrellas can be found at high-end resorts worldwide. Founded in 1920, Barlow Tyrie was one of the first companies to use Teak in outdoor furniture and has since evolved the outdoor industry with pieces made for every taste and design aesthetic. Each piece comes with their dedication to customer service and support as they work to ensure you will be a customer for life.

Buy Barlow Tyrie outdoor furniture and umbrellas online at 2Modern for the best prices and Free Shipping.


Knoll




Known for their mid-century styling, outdoor furniture by Knoll incorporates many of the iconic shapes they are acclaimed for. Pedestal outdoor dining tables,  weatherproof accent tables with hairpin legs, and strapped chairs and ottomans with Sunbrella webbing and teak frames are part of their offering.




The 1966 Collection by Knoll is made to withstand corrosive ocean breezes


If you're outfitting the patio of your modern or mid-century home these pieces will fit right in. Of course, Knoll is also known for high prices, so if you do choose this outdoor furniture manufacturer, think about ordering online from a dealer who offers White Glove Delivery, the ability to split payments, and savings on sales tax over local showrooms like 2Modern.

Why is Outdoor Furniture So Expensive?

This is a question I hear frequently. Especially when it comes to fine, heirloom quality outdoor furniture from brands like Barlow Tyrie, and Knoll. Well, here's the answer. Quality outdoor furniture brands take all the skill, design and care that go into creating fine furniture for inside your home, and then they engineer these pieces to withstand outdoor conditions. This means that all fabric must be weatherproof - using outdoor textiles like Sunbrella which are naturally more expensive than indoor upholstery. Frames are made from weather resistant materials like marine grade stainless steel and grade A teak which can hold up to wet weather, and storms. These pieces are made to last generations which is why the hospitality industry chooses them for their outdoor spaces where longevity is key. 

Can you find less expensive outdoor furniture elsewhere? The answer is yes. But if you don't want to be re-purchasing these pieces 2-3 years down the line when they fail, opt to buy your outdoor furniture once - from a high-quality brand committed to long-lasting outdoor pieces that last.


More for Your Home:


Monday, April 15, 2019

Vintage-Style Cast Acrylic Sinks


Looking for a vintage-style sink for your kitchen or bathroom? Vintage-style sinks add character to a new home, and authenticity to an older one but searching for and restoring a vintage piece is not easy or cheap. If you're not willing to put in the time to source a vintage sink for your project but want authentic retro style consider a Cast Acrylic reproduction as a practical and affordable alternative.

Why Chose Cast Acrylic over Cast Iron?


Cast Acrylic sinks have several benefits over traditional cast iron originals and make great alternatives, including:
  • A fraction of the weight of the cast iron alternatives for a lighter installation weight.
  • More impact resistant than porcelain to withstand chips when heavy items are dropped in the sink.
  • UV resistant to avoid fading or yellowing with use.
  • Vintage-style cast acrylic sinks are drilled to accommodate standard modern plumbing.

The cast iron sinks popular in the 19th and 20th centuries were made by firing a shiny porcelain coating on top of a cast iron base. The resulting vessel was durable and easy to clean, but also susceptible to staining and chips. And never drop a glass or plate into a cast iron sink - the hard material could easily cause it to break. Cast acrylic sinks are made by molding acrylic material into the sink form and letting it harden. This results in a seamless sink made from solid acrylic which will not chip - but has much of the same design aesthetic as the original.


36" x 24" Single Bowl Rolled Rim Farmhouse Sink Reproduction in Cast Acrylic


NBI Drainboard Sinks, based in Alachua, Florida, manufactures cast acrylic sinks in the USA which replicate the unique details of cast iron originals. Their sinks come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 5-year defect warranty. Let's take a look at their offering for both kitchens and bathrooms and see how a modern replica sink can save you time, energy, money, and maintenance over their vintage original counterparts.

Cast Acrylic Bathroom Sinks

Acrylic Alternative to the Kohler Brockway


If you're looking for an alternative to the Kohler Brockway wash sink that is easier to maintain, lighter in weight and more affordable, consider a reinforced cast acrylic model. Available in both single and double widths, these sinks have the same vintage good looks with the benefit of not chipping as the acrylic finish is throughout - not baked on like the porcelain finish of a cast iron sink.

There are so many great applications of this timeless sink design, from small powder rooms, laundry rooms or even a utility sink in a garage or potting shed.  My favorite is in a children's bathroom where the easy-to-clean finish and wall mounting option makes this the perfect sink to slide a stepstool under, or keeps the floor clear for a basket of bath toys. The painted finish options provide a fun pop of color in options ranging from Jade Dragon to Classic Black.

Need a sink for this sink? An option with an integrated soap dish like the American Standard Heritage Wall Mount is a great choice.

Double Cast Acrylic Utility Sink

Cast Acrylic Kitchen Sinks

Vintage and retro looks are hot for kitchens, but I can't think of a place in the house where a new, clean modern sink is more important (well, except for the bathroom, of course.) If you want to use modern plumbing, connect to a waste disposal system, or have additional holes for a sprayer, a new reproduction sink is the way to go.

Are you restoring an original kitchen and want to replace your well-worn vintage sink? You can shop the full collection of NBI Sinks options to find a low-maintenance substitute with the same lines as your original sink from their extensive sink collection. Here are a few favorites, below.


For the kitchen, butler's pantry or laundry room, nothing beats the elegant simplicity of a rolled-edge inset vintage farmhouse sink. This model from NBI Drainboard Sinks improves on the original with faucet holes drilled on 8" centers to accommodate modern faucets, a mid-height backsplash so not to obstruct over-the-sink windows, a deeper basin, and is waste system compatible. It also comes in 5 color choices including white, almond and grey. The 5-year manufacturer's warranty, 30-day return policy, and Free Shipping make this an easy choice for your project.

Complete the look with this vintage-style cross-handle wall mounted faucet by Kingston Brass.


Single Bowl Drainboard Sink in Cast Acrylic

If you're looking to replace a mid-century sink or create a midcentury modern look in your new kitchen, explore these replica drainboard sinks in cast acrylic. This practical style incorporates sink and drainboard into a solid surface sink with no seams, perfect for food prep and dish drying. The integrated 4" backsplash and molded soap dish complete the look allowing for a sleek, minimalist design perfect in your 1950s or 1960's style kitchen. This sink is also available in double-bowl and left or right drainboard styles in the NBI Drainboard Etsy Shop.




Apron sinks are hugely popular and available in cast iron and fireclay models in most traditional kitchen outlets. Having owned a fireclay apron sink myself, I can attest to the fact that they had a few downsides. Once or twice I misjudged the front edge of the sink when dumping in a pot and ended up with a chip on the rim. I've also broken many a glass that was accidentally dropped into the hard brittle bowl. I even walked into the front apron once with a knife in my hand and created a small dent in the formerly smooth apron surface that I loved so much.

A cast acrylic option like the one pictured above provides many benefits including being lighter in weight and easier to maintain and virtually chip-proof. This model includes double basins of staggered height (8" and 11") to allow for various uses in the kitchen, and have 3.5" drain holes to accommodate waste disposal systems. Click through it see more interior images of this model on Etsy.

Looking for the right wall-mounted pull-down faucet to complete this look? Here are some options available from Home Depot.


More Authentic Bathroom Vanities



Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Navy Blue Bathroom Vanities

Keller 60" Navy Double Vanity from Signature Hardware


Classic, tailored, and unexpected. Navy blue bathroom vanities have been popping up in some of the most fashion-forward homes lately. This surprising pop of color in the bathroom is a safe bet for anyone who wants to stray from the status quo of white and grey vanities  - but still keep resale value in mind. Another great feature of these navy or midnight blue vanities? They look amazing accentuated with gold hardware. Another top trend right now.

So where are you going to go to get your Navy vanity? Bathroom specialty shops are not showing a wide variety of these just yet, and who wants to go the custom route? Too much hassle. Here are a few options I've found online at some of the top bathroom vanity sellers including Home Depot, Amazon and even Etsy!

Classic Navy Blue Vanity

If you love a truly classic look, the Keller 60" vanity pictured above from Signature Hardware on Amazon is a great choice. The solid wood cabinet features 4 doors and 3 drawers (the top row drawer fronts are non-functional) providing plenty of room for storage. I love the decorative turned feet for both aesthetic and practical reasons - allowing you to get right up close to the vanity without stubbing your tows. Perfect for when you need to get right up close to the mirror. (You know who you are - tweezers and poppers!).



Included with this set are 2 under-mount porcelain sinks and a marble counter top which comes pre-assembled. Plus, aged gold-tone hardware. I would suggest these antique style gold-tone faucets from Kingston Brass to complete the look.


Transitional Navy Bathroom Vanity

Cambridge Ariel Vanity in Midnight Blue
Transitional style is generally known for its simple lines and restrained nods to more traditional style. The Ariel vanity by Cambridge does just that. Shaker style doors and drawers painted in their signature Midnight Blue shade hint at classic styles, while the rectangular sink basins and cool marble counter tops reflect modern design sensibilities. Gold bar hardware gives a nod to current trends and takes the style-factor up a notch.

What I love most about this collection is that it is available in a wide range of sizes from 36" single-sink vanities to 73" double sink models. A 37" asymetric model is a great space-saver which maximizes counter space. Plus, the fact that you can order these vanities from Home Depot with or without the counter and sinks. This allows you to customize the counter top material, faucet style and sink basins to your liking.

How to complete this look? I would choose a round gold framed mirror and some brushed gold modern faucets like the ones below. Black and white vintage tile and a woven laundry basket to add some warmth complete the look! Find links to my picks below.




Nautical Blue Bathroom Vanity 

Benoist 72" Vanity from Signature Hardware
Dark blue vanities inevitably conjure up nautical feelings and beach-house chic. The Benoist vanity from Signature Hardware available on Amazon takes it a step further with squared off sink basins, a weathered paint finish on reclaimed wood and vintage-style cup pull hardware. The open slatted storage shelf adds to the airy beach feel of this vanity. Just add baskets atop the pine slats for extra storage (only 2 of the drawers are functional, and U-shaped). This high-quality vanity has dovetailed joints, soft-close hardware, and adjustable feel for easy installation on uneven floors.

Signature Hardware Modern Copper Widespread Faucet
I really love the Signature Hardware copper faucets pictured in the above photo on Amazon so that's what I recommend here to complete this look. The juxtaposition of modern angular hardware on the rustic finished wood of this vanity is spot-on. What do you think?

Modern Floating Navy Bathroom Vanity

60" Floating Vanity in Navy by Lexora
Floating vanities are trending right now, and for good reason. These wall-mounted styles keep the floor clear for a more airy feel and added storage. Great for families with kids, a step stool or basket of bath toys can easily tuck underneath. Plus, the drawer-styles of these vanities make it easier to utilize ALL the storage space without getting on your knees and rooting around in the back of a dark cabinet.

This Amelie style floating vanity from Lexora available on Amazon comes complete with mirror, marble counter, undermount rectangular ceramic sinks and stainless drawer pulls. I would pair it with this Delta Faucet which has the same modern lines as the one pictured in the manufacturer's image.

Find this Delta faucet for a great price on Amazon

Navy Shutter Bathroom Vanity

Venice Vanity by CLL Collections on Etsy

Shutter style vanities are a classic look with British and Colonial roots. Play on this traditional style with a colorful update in a navy blue finish.  This model from CLL Collections marries classic style with a rich paint finish. Solid oak construction and soft close drawers give it high-end appeal, but my favorite feature by far is the tilt-out storage beneath the top fake drawer fronts maxing out this often under-utilized space. This set comes with everything you need to install and complete your renovation including:
  • 2-Mirrors
  • 2-faucets
  • Stone Countertop
  • 2-undermount rectangular sinks
  • Free Shipping
Venice Vanity Details - Available on Etsy