In front of HD Buttercup.

A furniture mart has been carved out of part of the historic Helms Bakery in Culver City. HD Buttercup has an astounding collection of home furnishings, with a heavy emphasis on modern furniture, textiles and lighting. There are also many local LA artisans and designers, giving the enterprise a uniquely local Southland style.

The stores are colorful, sensual, dramatic, sophisticated and entertaining — stocked with everything from Parisian candles to Malay headboards and Japanese stone buddhas. They are a great improvement over the dusty, dark, monotonous and indifferent look of the previous furniture tenants in Helms. There is a high level of architectural and design intelligence in both planning and execution at HD Buttercup.

Los Angeles has a well earned reputation for some of the most eccentric, elegant and unique homes in the world–and it seems that this new retail collection of boutiques will assist in preserving that honor .

Directions from Van Nuys: take the 405 south, exit Venice Blvd and go east until you reach 3225 Helms Avenue, Culver City, CA.