Colin Firth's Eco Store
by Bonnie Alter, London 
on 02.15.08
Colin Firth (of Bridget Jones and Mr. Darcy/Jane Austen fame) and his wife (pictured) have opened a beautiful 3-storey store, called Eco-Age, in Chiswick (London) selling ecological products and accessories. The couple, with two partners, have gone all out to make sure every aspect of the development is environmental. The building itself has been renovated to a high ecological, sustainable standard, including limecrete and recycled wood flooring, recycled furnishings (the counter is made of woven rubber bicycle tires) and greywater lavatory. They hope to become self-sufficient, solar wise by next month. The roof garden will be open soon, complete with solar panels and a wind turbine, as well as gardening tools.
In the basement is a consultancy where customers can get advice about home decoration such as eco paints, wallpapers and fabrics, energy efficient appliances and solar panels. There are two advisors as part of the staff who can assist, show samples, and know the solar technology.
The ground floor has lovely little children's toys, including small sheep hand-made by an Estonian woman from the sheep wool on her farm. Little stuffed turtle toys from Estonia are made out of linen pulp and filled with grain wood shavings. There are elephants and giraffes made out of tin cans from South Africa.
A wall of energy saving gadgets are attractively displayed in round, recycled cardboard tubes. Webe bags from the Caribbean are waterproof and made out chicken feed bags--a stylish and ecological tote bag. There is also a whole library of ecological books
The next floor has yummy home furnishings. There are cushions of recycled felt, throws woven from the softest wools, and hand made carpets made out of organic wool. The furniture includes an oak sideboard with drawers (pictured) that is carved out of one piece of wood. There are beautiful recycled pewter bowls (on the table).
An end table out of coppiced twigs (pictured) is sophisticated enough for the living room. Lampshades made of thin birch bark add a country touch. On the floor, for the children to read on, pouf cushions of fabric with recycled rubber rope. :: Eco-Age
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If you got to the end of the article and thought "gee, I wish they mentioned where I can find this store," the answer is Chiswick, London. :-)
Great idea :-) I like Colin Firth in comedy and drama movies :-)
Actually DB, it says Chiswick in line two.
Seeing a celebrity couple living the lifestyle they profess in addition to spending their time and money to make a difference is both heartwarming and inspiring. Three cheers for the Firths!