Roger Martin Properties’ intrepid sales team recently visited Rice Village’s mecca of sustainability, New Living. This store promotes healthy and “green” lifestyles by improving indoor air quality. They carry products such as organic bedding, low-VOC paints, air filtration systems, water purifiers and furniture hand-made from re-claimed hardwoods.

“We didn’t set out to open a factory,” says Mary Beth HaubriBen Baron and Roger Martin discuss eco-friendly furnitureck, Health and Wellness Coordinator for New Living. “We wanted to build beautiful furniture that inspires you.”

Working from an East End factory, the artisans employ all non-toxic finishes and organic and natural materials. All woods are locally-foraged and formaldehyde-free.

“Our standards are the purest in the industry and we use the highest performing tools on the planet,” says furniture sales manager Ben Baron.

During the tour, Roger Martin discovered Baron lived in the same 21st Street co-op dorm that Roger helped found while he was a student at the University of Texas in the 60s.

“What a coincidence!” says Roger. “When I was organizing the UT coops, I actually opened an Austin furniture store as well, so I kept experiencing déjà vu as we talked.”

New Living is located at 6111 Kirby in Rice Village, in the former Wagner Hardware building.