"We are moving into our first home in a couple months and I am buying a couch. We only have one family room, so I want to get one great couch that I am going to love. I have two children under 2--so lots of spit up, grubby hands, spilled milk. We have a microfiber couch, but I don't love it, and it is too small. I like modern furniture, but want something that I can clean. Any suggestions?" --Anna Low

We think your answer will be Crypton fabric, which blocks stains, moisture, mold, mildew, bacteria and odor. Crypton (available in tons of colors and fabric types) has a breathable moisture barrier, which means a little soap and water will easily erase your troubles. The good news is that many furniture manufacturers have the option of upholstering their sofas with "COM," which stands for "Customer's Own Material." It takes about 15 yards of fabric to cover a large sofa. And though Crypton is a sofa superhero, we'll bet your tykes will take a break from bouncing around to snuggle up to Crypton's plush polyester. Here are a few of our favorite mod couches available in COM:

Button-Tufted Club sofa from Gus Design Group

"Can you tell me where I can find the tween bed from your "Room to Grow" story?" --Sujata Arora

It's fantastic, isn't it? It's called the Plus Petit platform bed, and you can also buy the corresponding chests, which can tuck underneath (as shown above) or serve as seating elsewhere in the room. For buying info, visit Andre Joyau Studio. (Looks like the site is getting e-commerce soon.)

"I'm decorating my nursery (due in August!), and I'm stumped about the rug. I want something pretty graphic and modern because I'm going with very simple furniture. This is where I want to bring in a ton of color--but I don't want it to look too grown up. Do you have any recommendations?" --Melissa Taylor, Tacoma, Washington

Oooh, a fantastic question! And luckily, we have the perfect source for you. Avalisa's modern rugs are super soft because they're made from hand-tufted New Zealand wool, but they're still durable enough to handle kid wear and tear. (They're specifically designed for kids.) And the patterns are graphic, colorful, and gorgeous. And while you're at the nursery decorating, check out our Home Market Editor's foolproof step-by-step guide.

Blue Wonder

Purple Dog

"My friend is having a baby shower but she didn't do a registry. I'm nervous that I'll bring the same thing as everyone else. Any gift ideas? P.S. She's expecting a boy." -- Katie, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great question, Katie. If you're worried about doubling up on a gift, go for something quirky and unique. How about this Japanese singing "bird"? It comes in a sweet little cage, and its warblings would brighten up any nursery.

Or a British cashmere blanket so baby and mama can cuddle up...

At this point, your expecting friend will be smack in the middle of her nesting phase, so she'd love this mini globe bank for her child's nursery. (And, in a few years, it can store his allowance.)

Once your friend has her sweet baby, she'll be very (read: VERY) tired. So treat her to this 100% natural Night Owl Balm. She can rub it into her pulse points--wrists, temples, behind her ears--to feel soothed and relaxed.

You could treat the little man to a dotted layette, so he can greet the world in style.

Or as your friend prepares for her new babe (and, a hem, her feet swell), you could give her these adorable flip flops. They have a sculpted arch for support, and a portion of the sale goes to breast cancer research.

Or you can choose from these 17 newborn gifts we featured in the magazine.

Hope this helps, Katie. Enjoy the shower!

"In the winter, my daughter's room gets really dark and depressing. Instead of adding more permanent light or a big floor lamp, I just want to find a little something for the top of her dresser. Help?" -- Sara, Louisville, Ky.

Here's a smattering of some of our favorites to inspire (from left):

MyPet Lamp Terri Bear, $59, Offi, 2modern
Phantom Table Lamp, $100, CB2
MINI Table Lamp, $15, EQ3
Basisk Table Lamp, $13, Ikea
Shroom Light, $80, Mio
Velo Lamp, $78, Chiasso

Photograph by Philip Ficks

"I love the vintage style of some of the home tours you feature. Can you recommend a few websites, other than eBay, that sell vintage accessories for the home?" --Alexandra, West Bloomfield, MI

Alexandra, you've come to the right place. Here at Cookie, our idea of a perfect weekend is rummaging through countryside thrift shops, estate sales and flea markets. But since we're firmly planted behind our desks during the week, we've also discovered a few online shops that help us get that thrifting fix. Here are three favorites...

White Elephant Vintage, a shop run by two friends in Canada, offers old-school globes and home accessories.

Blue Bell Bazaar features handmade glassware and vintage display pieces.

Abigail Vintage curates a selection of brass figurines, miniature prints and, most recently, old-style matchboxes from all over the world.

"Every holiday I throw a party and have to break out my ugly chafing dish. Do you know of any that actually look nice on a buffet?" --Melissa Wolfe, Tacoma, WA

The smartly designed Cucina is head-and-shoulders above the old-school catering-style dishes.

Out of all the classic pieces, this Sur La Table one is our favorite.

Vintage and unique, 1950.com has a limited supply of these great antique styles.

"I'm tired of giving people lame hostess gifts at holiday parties, but I don't know where to go to find something unique. Any ideas?" -- Kris Willchote, Atlanta

Here are some of our favorite upgrades on the classics.

An import from France, these Cote Bastide candles are elegantly wrapped in wax paper in bundles of seven or twelve.

Mix and match Quel Objet tea towel designs to create a custom box.

These beautiful Seacloth reversible coasters are patterned on one side and solid on the other.

Pottery Barn's softly scented monogrammed soaps are made from vegetable-based ingredients.

"I'm on the hunt for some cute magnets. Have any ideas?" - Kara, New York City

"I'm on the hunt for something other than white porcelain dishes. The only problem is, I need it to be unbreakable (have a very curious 3-year-old) and easy to maintain. Any ideas?" Anne, Kansas City

For more gorgeous unbreakable dishware, check this out.

"I'm repainting the nursery, and I want to be as green as possible, including using low-VOC paint. Can you help me find some good ones?" - Cheryl, Boston

We can do you one better. There are now some zero-VOC paints (A little shaky on your green vernacular? Freshen up with our Green Glossary) now available in a wide range of colors.

Sherwin-Williams has the Harmony Interior Latex line, in three finishes and neutral colors. If you're going for something reserved for baby's room, this is a beautiful choice.

If you want a little more color variety, AFM Safecoat is one of our faves. The Zero VOC paint (originally designed for health-conscious places like schools, offices, and hospitals) also comes in three finishes. The exciting thing is that this paint is available in lots of shades (and the company even uses zero-VOC colorant!) The wall color pictured is Ayurveda Essence Colors zero-VOC paint in View.

Since you're an East Coaster, keep your eye on Green Depot. The Brooklyn-based Ivy Coatings should be launching soon, meaning zero-VOC paint can come to you without out cross-country shipping, making you even more green!

Email your home photos and design questions here.

In the most recent issue, there was a reference to some kind of rubber band type thing that could be used on a wall to stash stuffed animals. I loved the idea but cannot find the reference to the item. Can you help out? -- Lynn Ellsworth, Dallas

Of course! The rubber bands are by nl architects for droog design.

"My son is starting day care and needs a all-in-one cot cover. The one the center suggests buying is not very attractive and I was wondering if you knew where to find more interesting ones?" - Alexandra Weil, Baltimore

Just because your kid is asleep it doesn't mean he can't be stylish. Crafty Baby has cute patterns in cozy, durable fleece.

Nap Mats and More also has a great selection, including the Safari Dreams set, perfect for an adventurer or the Hunting Dinosaurs set for the budding paleontologist.

Email your home photos and design questions here.

I adore the stool pictured on the last page of "Pitch Perfect." Can you tell me where I can find it? - Jessica Walsh, San Francisco, CA.

Sure thing! This gorgeous Fritz Hansen leather stool is available at SUITE New York. PK 91 Stool, $2,959, Fritz Hansen, suiteny.com. Check out the original story.

Email your home photos and design questions here.

"I absolutely love the little bed in the article 'A Princess Room in Park Slope, Brooklyn' Do you know where I could find something similar?" - Emily Brown, Seattle

This little bed belongs to Clara, daughter of our travel editor, Yolanda Edwards. She found it in an antique shop.

Here are a few similar options. First, Pottery Barn Kids makes this adorable bed with sloping sides. It also comes in a trundle version.

Bratt Decor makes a similar bed. It comes in three colors and has great underneath storage. A trundle version is also available.

Cookie's home market editor, Meryl Levin, suggests finding a carpenter who will make a custom bed for you. This way, you can get a bed that precisely fits your space and your style.

Email your home photos and design questions here.

My two-year-old needs a nightlight, and I want to get something that will look pretty as he falls asleep. The only "decorated" nightlights I've seen are from museums, but I know he won't be interested in Van Gogh paintings at his age. Any ideas? -- Kate Klosky, Bloomfield Hills, MI

We understand the desire to have your babe's quiet moments be as dreamy (and tear-free) as possible. That's why we love this Egg Nightlight--its tiny holes let out little beams of light that magically turn a ceiling into a starry night sky. Isn't it amazing? Hope your son thinks so! 

Email your home photos and design questions here.

I live in a tiny New York apartment with my husband and our baby. Until we became parents, we never felt the need for a dishwasher. But now, with all the bottles that need cleaning, I feel like a slave to my sink. We've been talking about getting a dishwasher lately, but our kitchen is just too small for most conventional models. Can you recommend a dishwasher that will fit in our tiny space?

Thanks,
Wendy

Dear Wendy,

We hear you. No one really likes the dirty task, but once you've become a parent, it seems criminal to waste time scrubbing dishes when you could be spending time with your kid instead. Like you said, baby bottles are just one of the many hurdles - a newborn baby can go through 8 bottles a day! Dishwashers can be of enormous help, because in addition to cutting down on the amount of time you spend at the sink, the hot water sterilizes the bottles, so you don't have to go through the trouble of boiling them. We did some research, and here are 3 suitable options for apartment dwellers:

Stainless Steel 18 in. Built-In Dishwasher, $549.99, GE Appliances, sears.com.

A narrower version of your standard dishwasher, this GE model is an ENERGY STAR qualified appliance (which means you're saving both energy and money). It's roomy enough to wash a family-sized load, but takes up a little less space in the kitchen. Perks: it has reduced noise with a Quiet 1800 sound insulation, and has a China/Crystal cycle for delicate items.

Stainless Steel Elite 24 in. Single Drawer Dishwasher, $899.99, Kenmore, sears.com.

This is a rare design for dishwashers - its lower, wider build (it's the same width as a standard model, only much more squat) makes it a great solution if you have width to spare in the kitchen, but not height. It could fit nicely under a sink, for example. This appliance is also ENERGY STAR qualified, and offers a great deal of versatility. Perks: the Smart Sense cycle adjusts washing time and temperature to the amount of food stuck to the dishes, and has sliding racks that accommodate a range of dish sizes.

Countertop Dishwasher, $179.99, Danby, target.com.

This ultra-compact version is a good compromise for when you really have no room to spare. At about the size of a microwave, it can easily fit on a countertop, and surprisingly, it can hold about 4 place settings (although we suspect it might be less than that). And, hey, if you need to run it twice to get all the dishes clean, it's better than standing in front of the sink all night. Perk: if you don't even have counter space to spare, you can store it while it's not in use, since it hooks up directly to the kitchen faucet.

E-mail your home-design questions and photos here.

I am seven months pregnant and shopping for a crib. I would like something modern and love the Ouef and ducduc lines but they are too much for my budget. I've scoured the big boxes shops and everything is so curvy and frou-frou ... if I see one more sleigh crib I will go beserk! Is there anything simple and modern that is under $700 that you would recommend? - Janet Torgensen, Seattle, WA

Believe it or not, you can still find high style without breaking the bank. Here are some of our favorite not-so-expensive modern cribs:
IKEA's Gulliver crib has a nice basic white design. The super low $90 price point makes it even more appealing. Even though many of Nurseryworks's designs retail for $1000 or more, the just-as-sleek Loom model is just $650.Offi's Bebe crib has a more playful (but still modern) design, and sneaks in with a price of $699.If you're looking for several wood finish options, the Sahara from Argington comes in white, red maple, walnut (shown), birch, and cherry, and retails for $685 at Moderntots. And, of course, you can always hunt for good deals. Nurseryworks Aerial crib, regularly $920, is just $300 right now at 2Modern.

Other bargain ideas? Scope out ebay and Craigslist. Once their babies have outgrown their cribs, people are often desperate to unload these puppies for much less than they paid.

E-mail your home-design questions and photos here.

My husband and I live in an apartment building that was constructed in 1973. It has absolutely no architectural detail, and it is a challenge to de-institutionalize its look. It is especially bothering me in our bedroom (see photo). I thought that I might try to rectify the situation by putting up a bold print wallpaper on the wall behind my bed. Do you have any suggestions for wallpaper that would work in this space? Wallpaper is a fantastic idea for this space. Here are five lively prints that will cheer up your boudoir.  Malabar wallpaper, available at Walnut Wallpaper. Leaf wallpaper, from Timorous Beasties. Shadow of the Paranormal #2, designed by Geoff Mcfetridge for Walnut Wallpaper. Chou Chou wallpaper, from Sister Parish Design. Scalamandre's Zebra wallpaper—first designed for the legendary New York City restaurant Gino's in the 1940s.

Email your home-design questions and photos here.