Mod little sister

CB2, the offspring of Crate & Barrel, opened its first Southern California store Thursday in the Sunset Boulevard space formerly occupied by a Virgin Megastore. “Considering that Los Angeles was the home of Case Study houses and Charles and Ray Eames, we knew we had to come here to be a legitimate modern home furnishings store,” said CB2 director Marta-Maria Calle. “In the 2000s, it was all about acquisition and opulence, and now people want uncluttered simplicity and the best value for their money.” Gwyneth Paltrow recently purchased the $999 Coconut bed for her home in the Hamptons, and “Project Runway” winner Christian Soriano uses the $399 Skew dining table as his desk. The highly edited collection -- upholstered furniture is stocked in just two fabrics -- includes vibrantly colored designs for bed, bath, bar, living room and dining table. Prices? Think $1.50 for a melamine Andy Warhol appetizer plate, $14.95 for Marimekko shams and $799 for the Draper, an armless sofa inspired by the TV show “Mad Men.” 8000 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.; (323) 848-7111; www.cb2.com.

-- David A. Keeps