Frustrated with trying to find natural and organic products, Susan Thomas created her own solution. She opened Cypriana ~ the natural home store at 205 First Avenue South in downtown Kent last fall. At Cypriana, Susan offers local shoppers an alternative to traditional products which often contain harmful chemicals and artificial ingredients. Instead, the environment-savvy shopper can find an array of natural and/or certified organic products for the home, including:
- DreamSacks bedding – luxuriously soft bedding made from bamboo
- Nandina towels – plush bath linens that are hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and eco-friendly
- Organics for baby – Under the Nile, EcoBaby Organics, Mother-ease diapers, and more
- Running Wild Spirit soaps and lotions – handmade in Washington
In addition to these and other natural products, Susan makes custom slipcovers in traditional and organic fabrics, as well as personalized embroidery. If you’re looking for a way to update your home’s look without replacing your furniture, stop by Cypriana to see all of the custom decorating options available.
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Staging a Home on a Budget
Whether you are selling a home or are a Realtor getting ready to list a client’s home, Cypriana can help you stage a home quickly and affordably with custom slipcovers. With your furniture and our collection of fabrics, including organics, we can transform any piece into a masterpiece that will appeal to any buyer.Do you need a settee or ottoman recovered in a traditional fabric in a hard-to-match color? No problem. Want to recover a set of dining room chairs to modernize a room on a budget? We can do that too. At Cypriana, we have more than 40 years of sewing experience. No project is too big, too small or too challenging. Stop in today to see how we can help you stage your home beautifully!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Baby bath products – safe or not?
In this tight economy, many mothers and mothers-to-be are trying to stretch their dollars by using secondhand baby items, including everything from cribs and strollers to clothing and bath items. Here are a few quick tips on choosing baby bath products that are safe for your child.
If you plan to re-use a baby bath tub that belonged to someone else, check it closely for mold or mildew. If the bath tub has either of these odors, the tub should be tossed.
Check used bath toys, seats, rings and inflatable tubs for scratches or other signs of wear and tear. Scratches can harbor bacteria which might be harmful to your baby.
A baby’s skin can be very sensitive, particularly when exposed to dyes and other chemicals. Until you know how your baby will react to a new product, try testing it on a small patch of his or her skin first. Better yet, go for organic or all-natural products that will be ideal even on the most sensitive skin.
If you have a baby on the way or a friend or family member who is expecting, sign up for our Gift Registry or shop Cypriana to see our line of organic baby products for your baby including soaps, lotions, diaper cream, clothing, bedding, toys and more.
A safe baby is a happy one!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
If you plan to re-use a baby bath tub that belonged to someone else, check it closely for mold or mildew. If the bath tub has either of these odors, the tub should be tossed.
Check used bath toys, seats, rings and inflatable tubs for scratches or other signs of wear and tear. Scratches can harbor bacteria which might be harmful to your baby.
A baby’s skin can be very sensitive, particularly when exposed to dyes and other chemicals. Until you know how your baby will react to a new product, try testing it on a small patch of his or her skin first. Better yet, go for organic or all-natural products that will be ideal even on the most sensitive skin.If you have a baby on the way or a friend or family member who is expecting, sign up for our Gift Registry or shop Cypriana to see our line of organic baby products for your baby including soaps, lotions, diaper cream, clothing, bedding, toys and more.
A safe baby is a happy one!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Freshen your guest room with custom bedding
Do you have a guest room that needs freshened up? Maybe it has old bedding, faded pillows or just doesn’t match your home’s current décor? If so, Cypriana can help. We can design and create custom bedding to turn your old dusty guest room into a cozy sanctuary. Using contemporary or traditional styles and everything in between, Cypriana can create duvet covers, accent pillows, pillow shams, bed skirts and more.We have hundreds of fabrics to choose from including a selection of organic fabrics. We have something to fit every style and budget. Stop by Cypriana today and see how easily we can revive your guest room!
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Thursday, March 5, 2009
More on crib safety
If you’ve visited my store or followed my blog, you know that I believe crib safety is very important for babies and young children. If you are considering using a hand-me-down or previously-used crib, consider these safety tips shared by Janelle Sorensen in her 1/27/09 blog on secondhand safety:
1. Safe cribs. Cribs manufactured after 2000 should be safe, provided it is not broken or been modified, and all of the pieces are intact.
2. Unsafe cribs. Cribs manufactured prior to 2000 had different safety standards, so avoid them. Of particular concern are cribs with cutouts in the headboard and those with corner posts over 16 inches which could pose serious safety risks.
3. Organic mattresses and organic mattress covers. If you save money by using a secondhand crib, consider spending the money you save on a chemical-free organic mattress or organic mattress cover. For more information on the value of an organic mattress like our Ecobaby mattress, visit our blog dated December 10, 2008.
Do you have a crib safety tip to share? If so, send them to me via e-mail or post a comment here. I’d love to hear your ideas on ensuring your babies’ safety.
To your baby’s health and safety,
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
1. Safe cribs. Cribs manufactured after 2000 should be safe, provided it is not broken or been modified, and all of the pieces are intact.
2. Unsafe cribs. Cribs manufactured prior to 2000 had different safety standards, so avoid them. Of particular concern are cribs with cutouts in the headboard and those with corner posts over 16 inches which could pose serious safety risks.
3. Organic mattresses and organic mattress covers. If you save money by using a secondhand crib, consider spending the money you save on a chemical-free organic mattress or organic mattress cover. For more information on the value of an organic mattress like our Ecobaby mattress, visit our blog dated December 10, 2008.
Do you have a crib safety tip to share? If so, send them to me via e-mail or post a comment here. I’d love to hear your ideas on ensuring your babies’ safety.
To your baby’s health and safety,
Susan Thomas
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Importance of Crib Safety
At Cypriana, we care about your child’s safety and well-being. Not only do we provide healthy alternatives to traditionally-manufactured baby products, but we feel that it is equally important to convey safety awareness to our customers.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently published a new Crib Safety article:
Building Baby Safety from the Ground Up
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A warm bath, lullaby and bedtime stories are staples in your child's nighttime routine. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents and caregivers to add a safe sleep environment to the daily routine of placing baby to sleep.
CPSC staff is aware of 97 crib related deaths from 2002 through 2004.
A CPSC staff analysis (pdf) of reports of deaths related to cribs found that about half of the deaths were in cribs containing pillows, quilts and other bedding. About half of these were due to suffocation when infants ended up face down on pillows or face down in a crib with pillows, quilts and other bedding.
Thirty-percent of crib deaths were attributed to entrapment between components of old cribs that were in bad condition, with broken or missing parts or loose hardware, and entrapment in spaces generated between the sides of a crib and an ill fitted mattress. The remainder of the deaths were associated with accessories situated in/around the crib (such as window cords or curtain tie backs), falls out of cribs, alterations made to cribs, or entrapment when the child became wedged between the crib and other furniture or a wall.
As CPSC works to remove defective products from the marketplace, parents and caregivers are being asked to take action as well.
The CPSC is urging parents:
• To reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation, place baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib that meets current safety standards
• To prevent suffocation never use a pillow as a mattress for baby to sleep on or to prop baby's head or neck
• Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps generated between loose components, broken slats and other parts of the crib and their head and neck become entrapped in the space.
o Do not use old, broken or modified cribs
o Regularly tighten hardware to keep sides firm
• Infants can suffocate in spaces generated between the sides of the crib and an ill fitted mattress; never allow a gap larger than two fingers at any point between the sides of the crib and the mattress
• Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; infants can strangle on curtain or blind cords.
• Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers' directions. Only use the mattress provided with the play yard. Do not add extra mattresses, pillows or cushions to the play yard, which can cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
• Routinely check nursery products against CPSC recall lists and remove recalled products from your home
• Sign-up for automatic e-mail recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov
The CPSC has been working since 1973 to improve crib safety with the publication of mandatory standards for full-size cribs and non-full size cribs. CPSC staff has also been involved in the development of voluntary standards for cribs addressing issues such as corner posts and structural and mechanical failures. The work of the CPSC has contributed to an 86% decrease in crib-related deaths.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently published a new Crib Safety article:
Building Baby Safety from the Ground Up
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A warm bath, lullaby and bedtime stories are staples in your child's nighttime routine. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents and caregivers to add a safe sleep environment to the daily routine of placing baby to sleep.
CPSC staff is aware of 97 crib related deaths from 2002 through 2004.
A CPSC staff analysis (pdf) of reports of deaths related to cribs found that about half of the deaths were in cribs containing pillows, quilts and other bedding. About half of these were due to suffocation when infants ended up face down on pillows or face down in a crib with pillows, quilts and other bedding.
Thirty-percent of crib deaths were attributed to entrapment between components of old cribs that were in bad condition, with broken or missing parts or loose hardware, and entrapment in spaces generated between the sides of a crib and an ill fitted mattress. The remainder of the deaths were associated with accessories situated in/around the crib (such as window cords or curtain tie backs), falls out of cribs, alterations made to cribs, or entrapment when the child became wedged between the crib and other furniture or a wall.
As CPSC works to remove defective products from the marketplace, parents and caregivers are being asked to take action as well.
The CPSC is urging parents:
• To reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation, place baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib that meets current safety standards
• To prevent suffocation never use a pillow as a mattress for baby to sleep on or to prop baby's head or neck
• Infants can strangle to death if their bodies pass through gaps generated between loose components, broken slats and other parts of the crib and their head and neck become entrapped in the space.
o Do not use old, broken or modified cribs
o Regularly tighten hardware to keep sides firm
• Infants can suffocate in spaces generated between the sides of the crib and an ill fitted mattress; never allow a gap larger than two fingers at any point between the sides of the crib and the mattress
• Never place a crib near a window with blind or curtain cords; infants can strangle on curtain or blind cords.
• Properly set up play yards according to manufacturers' directions. Only use the mattress provided with the play yard. Do not add extra mattresses, pillows or cushions to the play yard, which can cause a suffocation hazard for infants.
• Routinely check nursery products against CPSC recall lists and remove recalled products from your home
• Sign-up for automatic e-mail recall notifications at www.cpsc.gov
The CPSC has been working since 1973 to improve crib safety with the publication of mandatory standards for full-size cribs and non-full size cribs. CPSC staff has also been involved in the development of voluntary standards for cribs addressing issues such as corner posts and structural and mechanical failures. The work of the CPSC has contributed to an 86% decrease in crib-related deaths.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Freshen Your Furniture with Custom Slipcovers
At Cypriana, we offer many choices for your decorating needs. One of our most popular services is our Custom Slipcovers, which are measured, pin fit, and installed using the European method to ensure a proper fit. We have over 40 years of sewing experience and are a trusted resource for your slipcover needs.The many advantages of slipcovers:
- Refreshing way to redecorate without the exorbitant costs of buying new furniture
- Offered in a wide range of fabrics and styles: traditional, contemporary, formal, ruffled, tailored, or casual
- Measured in your home, preventing the expense and hassle of transporting furniture and loss of use during redecoration
- Custom décor can be changed for seasons or holidays as all slipcovers are removable via a hidden zipper
- Easy to wash and remove, making slipcovers a perfect solution for families with children or pets
- Coordinating pillows and draperies can be easily designed to match
- Environmentally-conscious as existing furniture can be updated and reused
Custom slipcovers are a wonderful way to easily redecorate your home. Call or stop by Cypriana for a consultation today!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Beauty of Organics
Most of the clothing and fabric currently available for sale in the United States originate abroad. Free from the more stringent U.S. guidelines, these fabrics are often tainted with harmful chemicals during the cultivation or manufacturing processes. In conjunction with sustainability and eco-friendly issues, consumers are now beginning to seek organic fabrics.The reasons for seeking organic materials are compelling, yet locating local sources of organic fabric is often difficult. At Cypriana, we carry an array of Certified Organic Cottons milled in the United States. These fabrics are soft, durable, and washable and come in natural colors woven into beautiful designs.
Let Cypriana be your source for organic and chemical-free fabrics!
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Monday, February 2, 2009
Save 15% off your next Cypriana purchase!
At Cypriana, we understand how difficult our economy is on consumers right now. We can't fix the problem, of course, but we can help by offering our customers 15% off their next purchase, now through the end of February 2009.Print off or mention this blog posting and get 15% off your next Cypriana purchase.
Cypriana ~ the natural home store
Running Wild's Dark Chocolate Bar Soap
What could be a more decadent and luxurious expression of love than chocolate? For this Valentine’s Day, give a unique chocolate gift: Dark Chocolate Bar Soap from Running Wild. Made in Washington with 72% raw cocoa butter and extra dark chocolate, this gentle soap has an incredibly rich, chocolaty smell and is extremely moisturizing, making it a perfect winter gift for dry skin.
Stop by Cypriana today to pamper your Valentine’s skin with the rich, sensuous and romantic Dark Chocolate Bar Soap.
Featuring vegan ingredients: Saponified, Calendulated Olive, Castor, Wheat Germ, Palm, Coconut, and Soybean Oils, Shea Butter, Benzoin Powder, Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Butter.Cypriana ~ the natural home store
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