Lovely Green Home Loot
Posted
Friday, May 16, 2008 9:12 PM
Lately I’ve been writing about un-fun stuff like fuel economy, so I thought this week I’d share one of my favorite sources for lovely earth-friendly home gear. French General is a totally unique little shop in Hollywood devoted to the pursuit of a sweetly old-fashioned life with a touch of French style. Most of their wares (which are all available online and by phone order) are very eco, and owner Kaari Meng has been living that way since long before it was fashionable. They sell lots of hemp textiles, both antique and new, which I know sounds hippie-dippy, but really isn’t in this case. The stuff is all really chic in an understated French Country way, and Kaari swears that sleeping on hemp sheets is an indulgent experience—they keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter and will last for 100 years. I’m dying to try them but recently bought new organic cotton ones so can’t justify it right now.
But I have bought some of the antique hemp tea towels (which I use constantly in my attempts to eschew paper towels in the kitchen), and I love French General’s line of all-natural beauty and laundry products, which are scented with organic herbs and feel much more indulgent than most green potions. And the lip balms and body butters come in flavors that are much more fun than the standard lavender: for instance, Lemon Blossom & Sage, Fresh Ginger & Honey, Blood Orange & Linden (I’m wearing that lip balm right now, and it’s so much more moisturizing than a mass-produced, petroleum-based balm). Kaari also sells a house line of deliciously scented soy candles (above) made with essential oils and cotton wicks, as well as kits of antique beads, ribbons and other “notions” that are perfect for making jewelry or other crafts with a “re-use, recycle” mentality (I’m so not crafty, but the French General “Notions Kits” are tempting enough to make me consider DIYing a necklace . . ). Plus if you are doing a major decorating project you should check out the gorgeous fabrics, many of which are made of hemp and/or printed with nontoxic vegetable dyes.
This blog post is sort of an unrepentant love letter to the shop/website, because I think it’s refreshing to discover a business that’s been doing “green” stuff for a while, not because it’s trendy but simply because it’s a more authentic and satisfying way to live.
Have you discovered any cool, below-the-radar sources for green style?