California Greenin'(12)

Alison Forbes Houlihan with nephew James, left, and homeowner Laura Forbes Carlin with baby Matthew.

“We tend to focus on big events when considering our lives,” Alison says, “but it’s those everyday moments that affect us most.” Hence the name of the company—The Art of Everyday Living—that she co-owns with her sister Laura. A few of their tips include:

• Choose natural cleaning products. “People think their chemical smells mean clean,” says Laura, who opts for a spray bottle solution of half-water, half-vinegar to attack household jobs. Baking soda is another of her cleaning staples.
• Vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to remove airborne particles.
• To avoid the release of chemicals, remove dry cleaning bags before storing clothes in closets.

Be sure to read Laura and Alison’s popular book, The Peaceful Nursery (Delta Books, 2006), a guide with healthful design tips for new parents.