Maybe it's the binder full of Environmental Building
News back issues. Maybe it's the eco-friendly Simple footwear.
Maybe it’s the custom bamboo flooring, the chemical-free walls painted a lovely
green-tea hue, or the shelving units made from bamboo plywood (it's called
"plyboo," people). Whatever it is, stepping inside the mothership of
sustainability that is
All Shades of Green makes your carbon footprint feel
lighter almost immediately—even if you're not wearing hemp canvas shoes.
From eco-chocolate to kitchen tiles
The brainchild of Silverlake-based jewelry designer Liza Shtromberg, the space was executed by interior designer Noam Halpert, who is currently involved in
building an eco-village in Costa
Rica. As well as selling all things
guilt-free—from fair trade chocolate to unbelievably soft bamboo bath towels—the
store also houses a green design center where "green navigators" will
answer any question you might have on living a more sustainable lifestyle.
They’ll tell you everything from which energy-saving lightbulbs are the most
conservative to which materials are best for your eco-house remodel—whether
it's kitchen surfaces made from recycled paper or clear natural resin tiles with
embedded dried flowers. "We're in touch with a network of green
architects, designers and suppliers," says Shtromberg, "so even if we
don't have what you need, someone we know will."
Green fashions and beyond
The clothing racks carry surprisingly affordable items, including organic
cotton T-shirts made in Peru by Under the Canopy that say "Green is my favorite
color" and "Green is the new black," which sell for $28 a pop. "I want the
average person to be able to benefit from greening their lifestyle," says
Shtromberg. We loved the EcoLand panties (also organic cotton), the
bamboo bowls and dishes by Bambu, and the Rainshow'r products—which remove chlorine
from your bath and shower water. You'll also find Peace coffee, which is grown in shade so that trees don't have to be cut down in order to cultivate it. Oh, and don’t forget actor
Ed Begley's line of Begley's Best eco-friendly cleaning products, which the
actor delivers to the store himself.
The store also sells cosmetics, well aware that not all companies claiming to
be eco-friendly actually measure up. "Companies might use shea butter and
essential oils, but they are still putting chemical preservatives in their
products," says Shtromberg. "We had to ask a lot of questions, and
they weren't always happy to answer."
Get eco-smart
For those who want to learn more about maintaining an
eco-friendly lifestyle, All Shades of Green provides an in-store lecture series
that covers a variety of topics, such as how to grow an edible garden. The
workshops are based on a theme that changes with every month. March was about
saving energy, and April will be about saving and purifying water. The
workshops are taught by sustainability coach Deborah Tull, who
researches and tests the sustainability of all products for months before the
store orders and sells them. Shtromberg, however, won't be around—she is
currently enrolled in a yearlong environmental study program at Israel's Arava
Institute, where Arabs and Jews study side by side in a kibbutz environment.
"I know my staff will take care of things while I am gone," she says.
With people like Liza Shtromberg on the case, the future's looking brighter
already.
