All About Food:

The greening of America is a daunting task but that old motto, “Think globally, act locally” is a good place to start. Sparking your eco-imagination is Pam Sterling, owner of Laguna Green EcoSmart Kitchen and Bath Gallery. This former corporate businesswoman had an eco-awakening two and a half years ago.

“I became aware that we are intimately connected to everything around us. When I began to understand how we actually create the energy that surrounds us, I began to change many things in my life including my relationship to the environment.”

She had always been a designer by avocation but her work was not informed by eco-principles. But after her epiphany, she decided to combine her passion for design with a focus on sustainability as well as style. This led her to a new career.

Returning home to California after 18 years in Boston, she eventually left her successful corporate career behind and conceived the idea of Laguna Green.

To start out, she shared the space with Laguna Bamboo and then, in October became sole proprietor.

She did some remodeling and soon opened the only exclusively green kitchen and bath showroom in Orange County.

“I think all of us want to create a healthier environment for ourselves, our families and the generations to come, but many of us are not sure what options are available to us. I love helping people understand what the possibilities are in eco-smart and people-friendly products, practices and design.”

Pam has developed a rating system to identify the “greenness” of a product as well as what factors go into manufacturing it. It is called LEAF and is a registered trademark.

“Every product we carry must meet at least one of the LEAF criteria,” she said.

L stands for locally made (within 500 miles of Laguna Beach).

E is for energy and water conservation. Is it Energy Star and WaterSense rated? (U.S. government backed programs).

A is for air quality. Is the product formaldehyde free and/or does it have low or no Volatile Organic Compounds?

F is for formulation. Does the product contain at least 50% recycled materials or is it reclaimed or made from rapidly renewable or carefully managed resources?

She says, “I want people to see how gorgeous green can be.”

We can absolutely vouch for that, after a tour of Pam’s showroom on Coast Highway. We were truly amazed by the stunning beauty of her products.