Green Living

Indoor air is often more polluted, much more polluted, than what we’re breathing outdoors (even with that layer of gray blanketing the hills). Why? Aside from formaldehyde in pressed wood furniture, vinyl in window treatments, and the overall ickiness of carpet, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from paints and finishes are a big culprit.

While we banned lead’s paint presence at the end of the 70s, VOCs have remained. They are what you’re smelling when you don a smock and grab a roller to splash some color on your walls – toxic off gassing that isn’t good for the world or the lungs of any living thing in the vicinity.

But all that’s beginning to change. More and more companies are churning out low or no VOC formulas to enliven your space, sans chemicals, sans smell. This allows for kids, pets, and everybody else to get in on the painting action safely. So, if you’re looking to add some ambience to your living room this summer, look no further than two Los Angeles stores that carry non-toxic paint with zero VOCs to be mixed to match any palette you choose.

Livingreen in Culver City: Pretty much the forerunner of green retailing in L.A., Livingreen offers low or no VOC paint and can match almost any color of the rainbow. Featured paint brands: Yolo Colorhouse, American Pride and Green Planet’s all-natural clay paints. Livingreen is located at 1000 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, 90232. Phone: (310) 838-8442. Web: http://www1.livingreen.com/.

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Jill’s Paint in Atwater Village : Jill’s is an old-fashioned specialty paint store whose stock of supplies includes a commitment to environmentally-friendly alternatives. Featured paint brands: Divine Green and Yolo Colorhouse. Jill’s also has a number of Sydney Harbor Paint Company remodeling products from wood stain to lime wash, all without VOCs. Jill’s Paint is located at 3534 Larga Avenue, Los Angeles, 90039. Web: http://www.jillspaint.net.

You can also shop online for Old Fashioned Milk Paint made from, you guessed it, milk.

Tags: American pride paint, eco-friendly paint, green planet paints, jill’s paint, LivinGreen, no VOC paint, non-toxic paint, VOCs, yolo colorhouse