Tall toilets can be a daunting obstacle for little kids. For parents who have a bathroom used primarily by children, American Standard introduces a line of fixtures scaled for the smaller ones.
The Baby Devoro toilet ($345) is perfect for little ones through grade-school age, with a rim height of 10 1/4 inches. It can be replaced with a full-size toilet easily, since it's compatible with standard plumbing.
A lower sink supplemented with a step can help kids get into the habit of regular hand-washing. The Sebring self-rimming countertop lavatory ($141, paired here with a Reliant faucet, $108) is a stylish choice.
To find an American Standard retailer near you, visit www.american standard-us.com.
Sit back and relax, ladies
La-Z-Boy just screams "guy," doesn't it? Well, the company decided it'd had enough of that and teamed up with international trend forecaster Faith Popcorn to create the Faith Popcorn Cocooning Chair.
She interviewed thousands of women about what their ideal reclining chair would be like. It is laden with features, including hidden reclining mechanisms (research indicated that women wished to avoid a handle on the side of the chair), an optional attached worktable that swivels to provide a surface for snacks and that includes a built-in bud vase, and a tailored pocket on the side for storage. Prices range from $699 to $1,499, depending on the upholstery.
To find a retailer near you, visit www.lazboy.com or call 800-MAKE-A-HOME (800-625-3246).
Taking the pain out of travel
As the holidays get closer, stress levels tend to get higher. Tempur-Pedic, best known for its line of mattresses and pillows made of a dense, foamlike material that's sensitive to temperature and weight, offers a number of other products that make holiday traveling less of a pain, literally.
The Tempur-Pedic Travel Set ($350) comes with a mattress overlay and travel pillow, enclosed in a carrying case -- great for frequent business travelers, campers or holiday visitors. The transit lumbar cushion ($70) is also designed to help travelers keep their comfort levels high.
Bearing that load of luggage can take a toll on shoulders and backs, but the Tempur-Pedic shoulder strap, designed to attach to most bags, can help balance the weight. It can be adjusted from 37 1/2 inches to 48 3/4 inches and costs $35. And, since these items also make handy gifts for your fellow stressed-out loved ones, you can also cross one more item off the ever-lengthening to-do list. To place an order, visit www.tempurpedic. com.
Events
* Joseph Sheppard: The Early Years will celebrate the 50-year career of the Baltimore artist beginning Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Evergreen House, 4545 N. Charles St. The exhibit is presented in conjunction with the Walters Art Museum and the University of Maryland University College. Call 410-516-0341 or visit www.jhu.edu / historichouses.
* The U.S. Botanic Garden presents Indigenous Healing: Shamans and Herbalists Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. William S. Lyon, a graduate professor at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, explains the roles of shamans in medicine. The lecture is free. For reservations, call 202-226-4082. The garden is at 100 Maryland Ave. S.W. in Washington, at the foot of the Capitol.
Home Front welcomes interesting home and garden news. Please send suggestions to Liz Atwood, Home Front, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, or fax to 410-783-2519. Information must be received at least four weeks in advance to be considered.