Down funky street

Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard is filled with domestic treasures that are equally antiquarian and age of Aquarian.

Walking into any one of the uniquely curated stores is like cracking open a time capsule. Even the recently arrived contemporary boutiques mix one-of-a-kind vintage pieces with new furnishings that reference design classics.

Dusty junk stores sell odd lots from generations past next to squeaky-clean retail galleries tastefully displaying the latest trends. Asian and African handicraft emporiums live in harmony with shops selling finely crafted French and Italian antiques or white wicker and wrought-iron goods.

Looking for mid-century furniture? There are many options -- everything from Deco to Fab ‘50s to the mahogany dressers and tables of Paul Frankl and Paul Laszlo produced by the California manufacturer Brown-Saltman.

For all its cosmopolitan charms, Abbot Kinney’s calling card is American design, from stylists such as George Nelson and Paul McCobb to anonymous collectible kitsch. For modern furniture, AK 1114 and Neptina are always worth a look. Chicken Little sells designs by Modernist Paul Evans and has a room filled with Americana, advertising and promotional objects.

And if you’re tickled by tiki, this small strip has three outlets, including the way-hip Surfing Cowboys, with a little Hawaiian punch.

The items shown here represent a cross section of merchandise, which changes often enough to encourage repeat visits. But call first, because store hours tend to be as relaxed as the atmosphere.