The American furniture industry had been as guilty as any in crimes against nature in the race for profits. But in recent years, manufacturers have made a concerted effort to go green.

Material Witness, a design firm and eco-friendly furniture retailer in Lawrenceville, is here to set the record straight, offering alternative, planet-friendly furnishings. The business, which shares space with Artemis, was established last October by an idealistic clarinet player and restorer from Los Angeles. Elana Weber was so intrigued with green design, she stopped the music for the movement.

"The green movement was more prevalent out there and when I came here, I realized no one had any green furniture, especially the more unique and contemporary styles," she recalls.

Standing in her showroom on Butler Street, Ms. Weber says, "I wanted to show people that great style was available in the sustainable market."

Her company is dedicated to organic, safe and sustainable design. All her products have that very serene, clean West Coast personality that adds just the precise amount of interest to a room. The right mix of home furnishings can make a house hum like the right blend of people juices a good party. Throw in the healthy green factor and it's kumbaya decor at its coolest.

One of the hottest things at Material Witness is EcoSmart Fire. These little units can heat up to 400 square feet and come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Since they are ventless, they can be placed in a fireplace without a working flue or just about anywhere. Since they are fueled by denatured ethanol, there are no logs to carry or gas to burn.

Several designers have come up with a multitude of shapes and sizes. Designer Mark Philipp Veenendaal even created a coffee table fireplace. The good news is the prices have come down (still the least expensive is $1,580) and they are now eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit for energy efficiency (www.ecosmartfire.com/USA/EN/tax-credits).

"I do to-the-trade discounts, free shipping and fuel at wholesale prices," adds Ms. Weber.

She said her business is a natural extension of her lifestyle.

"When I select a product for a client, I have to feel confident it is well made and conscientiously constructed and it is important I know where it is made," she says.

That is one of the reasons she likes Californian Robert Craymer, who designs, manufacturers and retails an all-natural, organic line of furniture called RCGreen. He is a favorite with the media and Hollywood moguls too, having been featured on HGTV and in The New York Times and Town & Country magazine. Mr. Craymer, who designs the VIP rooms for the Oscars, the Golden Globes and Sundance Film Festival, even makes a sustainable poker table, which got a spot at the World Wide Poker tournament.

"Most 'green' upholstered furniture is very typical and somewhat dated," Ms. Weber says. "Robert's is fresh and can be made to fit -- meaning the length, width and seat height can be adjusted upon request. Plus, customers can supply their own material if they like to get even more of a custom piece."

And it really is sustainable -- made in the United States from FSC-certified wood, nontoxic glues, water-based stains, latex or soy cushions, recycled steel hardware and eco-friendly standard fabrics.

Ms. Weber came to interior design in a serendipitous way. While she was still pursuing music and restoring clarinets, she was working on the side as a personal assistant to movie music composer Danny Elfman.

"I actually got to pick out some finishes for a house he was building in Santa Monica at the time," she recalls.

That experience ignited her design potential and she went back to school, developing the computer-aided design skills she knew she would need to get in the door at a good design firm. She landed a job with Studio Sofield in Los Angeles.

During her time with Sofield, she was involved in interior design projects for some A-list Hollywood actors -- and designers.

"Through that I had the amazing opportunity to meet and design with Charles Hollis-Jones," she says.

After that, she worked as project manager of a small resort in Tombstone, Ariz., which led to working on a Hollywood producer's 6,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills.

One of her favorite designers is Kenneth Coponpue, who creates furniture, lighting, screens and accessories.

"Kenneth's La Luna chair of woven rattan splits is a perfect example of fine detail and modern design creating a comfortable, earth-friendly piece that speaks volumes about style," she says.

His Crokkis wall vase is made of wires designed to look like a simple sketch. He also does furniture, some looking like nests. Another take on that design trait is his C-U, C-Me round hanging lamp, floor lamps, mirrors and floor screens. His Bandoo round chandelier, meanwhile, is described by the designer as something that might be created out of plane crash in a bamboo jungle.

Along with his own company, Kenneth Cobonpue, his accessories are available at Hive, a place where a group of designers offers their takes on lighting and accessories.

Not everything at Material Witness is that far out. Along with the manufacturers and designers mentioned, Ms. Weber designs custom pieces for her clients.

"I actually am putting the final touches on a home on Greentree Road which is a "green" remodel," she says. "All products used were sustainable and it was done on a budget."

Rather than a "gut job," it was a thoughtful renovation with the assistance of the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh and materials from Artemis. Ms. Weber has also done commercial projects locally, including Fresh Corner, Rosa and Tusca.

So how did this whirlwind end up in Pittsburgh?

"I came here specifically to be a liver donor for my mother. My mother was a clarinet player, too, and eventually we ended up playing a duet together for a concert with the Arizona Symphonic Winds. It was fantastic.

"We still try to play together when we can."