April 20, 2007

Raising the Bar

Paint Bar at Ecohome Improvement

Inventions you’d like to see: Drive-thru manis for regular touch-ups, daters’ insurance to reimburse ego and checking account losses, a bar where mixologists specialize in civilized forms of matchmaking.

Too much to ask? 

Not at Ecohome Improvement’s ecofriendly Paint Bar in Berkeley. Sip sweet and spicy tea at the welcoming counter (made from recycled glass and reclaimed redwood, natch) while mulling over a seemingly infinite collection of nontoxic paints.

They’ll customize colors to match your existing walls or replicate the Benjamin Moore shade you’ve fallen for in a zero-VOC version.

Bring some colorful pals to the bar to inspire a painting party worthy of two green thumbs up.

Which reminds you, it’s time (sigh) for another mani.

Ecohome Improvement, 2619 San Pablo Avenue, between Parker and Carleton Streets, Berkeley (510-644-3500 or ecohomeimprovement.com).