Let me tell you a story about a wicker chair…read more Breezing by on a Tuesday afternoon, I was drawn to Courtyard Antiques not just because of its beautiful back lane building, but by a conveniently placed, quaint wicker chair sitting pretty by the shop door. On closer inspection, I realised said chair had caved in at the side - tragic, since it was The One (as far as chairs go anyway). It's a lovely moss green colour with embroidery on the seat. Not being put off by appearances and seeing its potential (I sound like a talent scout - for chairs), I ventured inside to ask the lady how to fix it. What followed was bizarre and wonderful. She had a look at the article, diagnosed it as having been run over, and then offered to give me it for free since she couldn't bear looking at its disfigured side. Insisting that I shouldn't but thanking her for her generosity, I eventually ended up leaving with the battered airloom since she wouldn't let me leave it. Vowing to love it, I wandered half a mile down towards Morningside before ditching the chair in apple blossomed suburbia (Grange Road). It was heartbreaking, leaving the chair spurned and rejected like that, but I had to review...I had to review. I also stay in Glasgow and don't drive, you do the math. Hours later, I got caught with a pang of guilt. That chair had survived since the 50s (so I was informed) and there was a light shower...I had to save it! Hurrying way back westward, the chair was (unbelievably) still there! School kids had not ravished it, dogs had not pooed on it, and no one had snaffled it up. I carried it back and offered it to another antique stockist nearby who is now storing it for me till next week. How lovely are those people?! He didn't even think I was ridiculous for waddling about for miles with a chair...he didn't bat an eyelid. I should've really spared you that story and talked some more about Courtyard, but I had to tell somebody! On with the rest of the review...it's a very classy establishment and looks like an old extended living room. Sometimes looks like a drawing room in parts (that'll be the Georgian tables and Victorian dressers). There's an eclectic assortment of stock very neatly and lovingly placed around the store. Prices vary depending on what you're buying but everything is in mint condition, so it's an investment more than anything else. I'm not just five starring because I got a free chair out of this. It's great to come across somewhere professional and tidy, where the staff really care about the stock. That's why, despite its flaws, I'm gonna love that chair forever - because even bfore its accident it was well maintained by a woman who is passionate about her job and her customers! Conservation For Chairs - it's my new chairty.

A lot of antiques shops can from the exterior seem a little oppressive, uninviting and almost…read moresmugly looking down on you and encouraging you to walk past on the basis that it's unlikely you'll be doing more than just browsing. I'm not too offended, because this is largely the case, though I do still like walking round antiques shops, just on the off chance I'll stumble upon something that I simply must have or that will prove to be unbelievably useful which I would have never found elsewhere. However, as you can probably tell from the photo, this place has more of a relaxed feel to it and feels inviting even to a self confessed browser like me. Once you've ventured into the shop you'll find that this is your stereotypical antiques shop with a wide variety of items on display ranging all the way between furniture and little trinkets. As antiques shops go this is the best kind - the kind you can spend ages searching through before unveiling some hidden treasure. Quite frankly it's a pleasure just walking round and you are likely to find something that will catch your imagination enough to encourage a purchase.

It can be very easy to doubt a shop when it gives itself a name that appears to be on first…read moreimpressions a bit of a juxtaposition, but if you come here, as advertised on the shop front, you will genuinely find affordable antiques in the sense that they are good value for money and not excessively priced. The stock held here is almost exclusively furniture, so don't come here expecting to find any trinkets or general items of interest smaller than a chair. However, for the items it does stock, it does do rather well. Take one of the sideboards on offer for example. This was a piece that really caught my eye, simply because it's a fabulous piece of craftsmanship and quite obviously a cut above what you would normally find. Although the side holds a slight defect in the form of a cosmetic crack it's still great value at just under £400. Now I know you're thinking that it's a lot of money, because you can pick up a flat pack sideboard for £250, but consider not only the difference in quality and atmosphere generated by these items, but also the fact that in ten years your flat pack sideboard will be falling apart and worth very little whereas your antique will be a slightly older antique.

I stumbled across Affordable Antiques the other day and I really enjoyed having a browse around…read more Selling mainly antique furniture there is a great selection on offer and the friendly shop owner advised me that they get knew stock in every week so it's always worth popping back if you're looking for a new wardrobe or dinner table. There were lots of wardrobes and I imagined stepping inside the intricate designs to find myself in Narnia or buying an old writing desk to find a 100 year old love letter hidden in a secret drawer. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the products on offer and if you're looking to furnish your home then this place is a good shout.

This place is seriously cool. I'm in the process of…read moreplanning out a house and love the idea of getting a salvaged fireplace (you know, the really cool kind with the tiles down the sides?), as well as old door knobs, doors, and other features. Holyrood Architectural Salvage is a huge old warehouse FULL of great old pieces. The bottom floor is stuff which has been re-finished to a high standard, and upstairs is full of items which are in need of some seriously TLC. My understanding is that you can choose an item from upstairs and then pay this place to spiff it up, deliver it, install it, the whole shebang. Or, you can just buy the piece as is and take it home with you, if you're up to doing the work yourself. I've not yet had a chance to buy anything from here but I really really hope to and I'll report back as to the level of service and quality when I do.

when we were last here we seen they had a nice collection of original fireplaces and really wanted…read moreone but didn't have the house for it. We just moved and this was our house warming gift to each other. We met the manager who asked us a load of questions about our house and room then pointed us in the direction of the many Victorian fireplaces they have. We were considering a stove but after seeing the lovely inserts decided to have one of them. We bought a nice marble mantel, insert and a gas fire and Alan said he could fit them all. His guys came to sweep and test our chimney to ensure our chimney didn't need lined which it didn't and then he arranged the fitters to come several weeks later. Our hearth was made to measure and it was a couple of weeks for it to arrive. The Holyrood fitters brought everything we had purchased and fitted it perfectly. We were a bit daunted with all the initial questions but never thought there was so much involved in fitting a fire. Alan looked after us so well and the fitters did a great job! All in all, it was another good experience and we look forward to dealing with them again. They do what they say they will do which is nice in this day and age. Initial estimated price was not increased which is unusual! Five stars from us! Need some doors so no doubt be back soon.

I admire what this place does, they collect and restore old fashioned furniture to an excellent…read morestandard, so much so that they offer a 15 year guarantee on everything. What I don't admire is the £995 for a table...

This place is absolutely fantastic and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it one day when The Man dragged…read moremy hungover bum out the door and for a walk to discover our new neighborhood. We are doing up our house at the moment and, having moved from a flat, are in desperate need for furniture. We'd chosen to visit this part of town to check out the antique stores and happened upon Vintage and Reclaimed. The owner explained that the furniture is all new, but his standard stock is made from reclaimed timbers which gives it a fantastic look. He also stocks furniture made by someone down south (I think??) which has a more finished look to it and is also gorgeous. The best part about this place is that they are willing to make what you want to size. This means that if you fall in love with a piece of furniture they have on the shop floor and devastatingly discover that it won't fit in your house, not a problem! They will make one of the size and colour which you like. On top of this, the prices are SO reasonable. Seriously. The Man and I are looking for a massive wardrobe and the one we found here was a good £700+ cheaper than any other one we liked. After we left here we visited the aforementioned antique stores but just kept saying "it's not as good as Vintage and Reclaimed" so we gave up and decided that once the building work is done, we will scrape together our pennies and spend them all here.

I love these sort of little dusty antique shops and Allan K L Jackson is a perfect example. Once…read moreyou nip inside you feel transported back to Victorian times, like a portal Dickens' Old Curiosity Shop, this little store has everything if you are willing to search hard enough. Buried amongst the piles of antiques are toys, games, glasses, cutlery, watches, furniture, sports equipment and anything else you could possibly want. Chances are you didn't think you wanted it and come out very confused as to why you bought a cheese grater from the 1940s or something equally random but inside the shop it seems like the perfect gift for that quirky old aunt everyone has. The owner, I assume Allan himself but I don't want to make some form of antique shop faux pas by leaping to conclusions, is really friendly and seems genuinely pleased that you have popped in to have a look. Whether you are buying anything or just browsing, he is helpful and keen to impart some of his knowledge on you. As the other reviewers have mentioned he is more than happy to hold an item for you and is always keen to forage for other things in and amongst the mounds of curiosities in his shop

This is an inviting and interesting antique shop in Newington which offers high quality furniture,…read moreornamnets and rugs at reasonable prices. Although the owner doesn't stock the highest quality stuff and most of it is second or third hand, it's all in relatively good condition and priced accordingly. The shop has a cool ambiance and feels like it's in its own little world. I didn't buy anything but after a look around you feel inspired to surround yourself with old stuff. The owner told says that he get's new stock in frequently and he can reserve certain items for interested customers. Allan K L Jackson is definitely a place to visit either for furnishing things or just a look round.

I've walked by this place hundreds of times and never been in. That's not to say it didn't intrigue…read moreme. In fact, I can't really say why I've never been in. I just haven't. Until now. This isn't your normal boring light fitting shop. It's got all sorts of cool lights - I particularly liked the old cast iron chandeliers. Price wise it all seemed pretty reasonable - they were antiques after all. It's a shame I live in a rented flat that I can't do much with, otherwise I'd deck the place out with lighting from here. Oh yeah, and it's next to the 'Archangel Michael Healing Centre', and evangelical Christian 'healing' place. Hilarious. Well worth a visit, even just to browse.

Several centuries after the Fall, Lucifer has finally decided to pack in trying to overthrow Heaven…read moreand set up a lamp shade and candlestick shop. Actually equating Lucifer of the Old Testament with Satan of the New is debatable. Anyway Lucifer literally means "light bearer", which is pretty appropriate for a shop the sells candelabrum. I personally think this shop has an amazng name, and its the sign outside, with its big red letters in a jaggedy style, followed by the warm colours of the shop inside really give this place an atmosphere! Lucifer Lighting sells all thing to do with antique lighting, from crystal chandeliers to Victorian candelabrum and Georgian brass candle sticks. Most of the of the lamp shades and chandaliers are hanging chaotically from the ceiling (adding to the rising falling feel, flame like, feel to this shop). The shop also contains a little cafe too, and by little cafe I mean like a big table with a few odd chairs around it where the owner will serve tea while he chats to you. It's called "cafe diablo", which, to be fair, unequivocally means devil so no trying to get around that one. Maybe the owner really does worship satan, but hey he sells cool lamps. Lucifer Lighting doesn't seem to keep regular opening hours. Late morning through the afternoon seems a safe bet. Rumour also has it that it opens in the middle of the night and is closed on religious festivals.

If you want to have beautiful furniture you simply must check out the stock from here. Prices…read moregenerally vary between £200 and £400, but the stock is well worth the money you'd be spending on it. Without visiting yourself you won't appreciate just how attractive these items are and I've never seen better items either for sale or on display in someone's home. This is mostly because of the fact that they are stunning and exceptionally well crafted items, but also because they are all restored back to top condition. It may seem expensive, but if you live somewhere for 20 years then for £10-£20 per year you can have an item in your house that will make it a pleasure to live in.

I was introduced to Grange Clocks and D McLennan after I had a nearby photographer take "pro" pics…read moreof my collection of Antique and Vintage watches. At his own initiative the photographer took one particular pocket watch to Grange Clocks to show him beacuse of its unusual and historical significance. Since this "introduction" I have taken many pieces for repair, adjustment, oiling and cleaning to Mr Mclennan and have always found him courteous and brutally honest. The ladies experince which she describes, is I would suggest, down to Mr McLennan's natural reserve (not a hard scot at all) just his honesty in trying to save people money. It has taken a while but now Mr McLennan is still brutally honest about pieces that I take to him but also like a magician with pieces that I felt should just be conveyed to the bin. As for his cluttered shop, hey its no worse than my lawyers office, sure sometimes I think, wow he could do do much better if he laid out the shop differently but its his business, so that is his concern not mine. My message would be "dont hesitate" and accept that you are dealing with someone who works alone and appreciate that he will be courteous, most importantly honest (not hard) and sometimes people cant handle this. Big plus side you wont waste money beacuse he will not pretend that something can be done and then charge you OTT for it. Dont be put off by his demeanour, this is just a defence of a person who can be very funny but what you are really after are his skills in this profession and they are vast. I have seen him almost scream with disgut at watches or clocks that I have taken to him and on examination he gets so frustrated when it is obvious that the item has had no oiling for years. One thing though do phone before you go, he is sometimes out at jobs so the shop coud be closed.

I agree with Neil.A Fantastic service, honest guy and…read morerealistic prices. Mr. McLennan kept me informed of what he was doing to our clock and provided a tip top service. Can't comment on shop as he came to our home but does it really matter? I won't hesitate to call him again or to recommend him to friends.