Collection by Jaime Gillin

Visiting H.D. Buttercup

Without condoning knockoffs, let me say: It is a thrill to walk into a furniture shop and discover a slew of handsome and vaguely familiar-looking design pieces that I can actually afford. This was my experience last week at H.D. Buttercup—a 30,000-square-foot offshoot of the even more gigantic 150,000-square-foot Los Angeles mothership. "The pieces are just enough different that they're not actually knock-offs," an employee said. Hrm. In better news, many of the wares are made in the U.S.A.—including an impressive 75% of their upholstered furniture—and they have a solid selection of pieces made from reclaimed and sustainably harvested wood. Here's a peek at what I saw and loved on a recent visit.

This is what first greets you: a hanging display of cascading aluminum chairs
This is what first greets you: a hanging display of cascading aluminum chairs
Also at the entrance to the shop: an assortment of vaguely Eames-ian and Egg-like chairs...
Also at the entrance to the shop: an assortment of vaguely Eames-ian and Egg-like chairs...
This is the piece that initially drew me in. I spotted this wooden stool at a friend's house and thought it was the Tractor Barstool by Craig Bassam for BassamFellows—which retails at Design Within Reach for a whopping $1,250. My friend set me straight: she found these doppelgangers at H.D. Buttercup—$295 for walnut, $275 for white oak.
This is the piece that initially drew me in. I spotted this wooden stool at a friend's house and thought it was the Tractor Barstool by Craig Bassam for BassamFellows—which retails at Design Within Reach for a whopping $1,250. My friend set me straight: she found these doppelgangers at H.D. Buttercup—$295 for walnut, $275 for white oak.
I am rather smitten with this wood-and-marble coffee table.
I am rather smitten with this wood-and-marble coffee table.
I also like the clean lines of these Walnut dressers. The wide six-drawer version retails at $1,395.
I also like the clean lines of these Walnut dressers. The wide six-drawer version retails at $1,395.
Does this piece look familiar? Surely far less well-made than the iconic Ligne Roset Togo; the stitching is imprecise and and the material looks and feels cheap. But: $1,195.
Does this piece look familiar? Surely far less well-made than the iconic Ligne Roset Togo; the stitching is imprecise and and the material looks and feels cheap. But: $1,195.
Faux Bertoia dining chairs for $150.
Faux Bertoia dining chairs for $150.
Here's Robin Cook, H.D. Buttercup's Operations Manager. She showed me Lee Industries' eco-friendly upholstered pieces, made in the U.S. with down-wrapped soy-core cushions and foam made from recycled milk jugs. The factory recycles 98% of its waste.
Here's Robin Cook, H.D. Buttercup's Operations Manager. She showed me Lee Industries' eco-friendly upholstered pieces, made in the U.S. with down-wrapped soy-core cushions and foam made from recycled milk jugs. The factory recycles 98% of its waste.
The shop isn't solely (or even mostly) modern, as evidenced here. "We have something here for every different taste," said Cook.
The shop isn't solely (or even mostly) modern, as evidenced here. "We have something here for every different taste," said Cook.
Lots of fun finds in the lighting department.
Lots of fun finds in the lighting department.
If I could walk out with one lighting fixture, it would be this $395 cluster of mirrored bulbs.
If I could walk out with one lighting fixture, it would be this $395 cluster of mirrored bulbs.
Here's a nice-looking sectional, priced at $3,795. I'd lose the patterned pillows.
Here's a nice-looking sectional, priced at $3,795. I'd lose the patterned pillows.
This mid-century styled sofa is made in China, and priced at $1,450. It's a rare exception to the shop's mostly made-in-the-U.S.A. fleet of upholstered items.
This mid-century styled sofa is made in China, and priced at $1,450. It's a rare exception to the shop's mostly made-in-the-U.S.A. fleet of upholstered items.