The store in the upscale Westfield Topanga mall, on Topanga Canyon Boulevard here in the San Fernando Valley, represents a $1.6 million investment for the company. It will feature Abbyson area rugs and furniture, as well as products from other suppliers Abbyson would not disclose.

Power of Home will include an experienced "design team" as well as a touch-screen design center. The company said the center will employ cutting-edge technology that "allows customers to virtually become their own personal interior designer."

The mall is undergoing a high-profile renovation by giant retail developer Westfield Group. Other new upscale tenants include Nordstrom, Coach, Burberry and Neiman Marcus.

The Power of Home will carry a variety of product styles at medium to upper price points. Living room groups, including upholstery and occasional tables, are expected to retail in the $3,000 to $8,000 range, while master bedroom groups with king beds will retail between $2,000 to $7,000.

Roughly 40% of the store’s product will come from Abbyson — which owns rug factories in Tibet and imports furniture from factories in China and Europe. But Power of Home will be treated as a separate company under the Abbyson umbrella, said Alexandra DeCicco, Abbyson marketing and sales manager.

The retailer plans to collaborate with local interior designers, inviting them to hold seminars and workshops on topics such as design techniques and product trends.

"Not only will this increase the skills and knowledge of (our) customer base, but allows The Power of Home to promote local designers in the area," the company said.

Abbyson declined to disclose projected sales at the store.

Power of Home will launch a full e-commerce Web site and has plans for up to three Southern California stores to open by 2008, all in Westfield centers. After that, it will look to expand into Northern California and the Phoenix market, DeCicco said.

Abbyson will stock goods for the store at its distribution center at corporate headquarters in nearby Chatsworth, Calif., where Power of Home customers can pick up or take delivery, she said. About 20% of the business is expected to be custom order.

Abbyson said it spared no expense to build out the space. Features include such high-fashion elements as bamboo flooring, 16-foot custom shelving and a wireless home automation system called Control 4, which links all the technological elements in the store to a main computer. A version of the system will be available for sale to consumers.

"This concept will be the future of retail home stores," said Yavar Rafieha, vice president of marketing and sales for Abbyson.

"We saw the opportunity and we decided to go for it," he added. "It is not new to see companies like ours venture into retail, but we really wanted to bring something different and special to the industry. The Power of Home is exactly that."

After the May opening, the store will have a June 23 Grand Opening Gala with city officials and local celebrities on the guest list.