Kew Nursery is a really popular location for locals old and young in the Kew area. I say old and…read moreyoung for a good reason: in my experience a lovely old couple or a mother with her child usually frequents this nursery and café. Everyone can appreciate beautiful plants and flowers, and everyone likes having a hot chocolate. While Kew Nursery may not have as broad a range of plants as other gardening centres like Bulleen Art and Garden, it does have really great vegetable section and some beautiful native shrubs and small trees. The staff are all really helpful but sometimes it can be hard to pin one down when its busy, that's the only problem I've had. I really like coming here because not only do I get to exhaust myself walking around and discovering some new species I previously hadn't seen, but I then get to head off into the café and enjoy a coffee and serve of eggs benedict ($13). Heaven.

Chai latte was unfortunately really bad. Lunch is good and…read moreservice was prompt and friendly. Not a lot of parking nearby Smaller nursery compared to others.

Tucked away from the bustle of Sydney road is the no car traffic street of Sparta. A little oasis…read moreof small unique stores, cafe, and artists hangout. The design store sits here, and sells a range of handmade kids clothes, blankets and other crafts. They also stock amazing Marimekko collection and small collections from independent jewellers, cards, and other things. It's a lovely little shop that you will surprisingly spend Way too much time in.

Lock up the credit cards! You're going to want just about everything in this store to make your…read morebathroom smell better, your kitchen look pretty, your bedroom feel cosy and your loungeroom more achingly hip. From the rafters adorned with leather bunting down to the floors that hold baskets overflowing with nic-nacs and gorgeous items you simply can't live without, The Shelley Panton Store is an absolute delight to explore. I love the tables filled with colour co-ordinated items, the book selection (food, design and travel genres all well represented), hand-made ceramics and the items dangling from the roof (THAT bunting, light fixtures and even feather dusters!). There's complimentary gift wrapping too, which is perfect if you're in the market for a special gift. They'll offer a variety of papers and twines to match your purchase and the vast gift card selection makes this a one-stop-shop for all your gift giving needs.

Quick! Hide your credit card when you come here! It has an amazing array of home wares and art for…read moreevery single room of the house, and every occasion you can think of. This is my idea of heaven. Seriously. OK, I admit it. Sometimes it feels like us Southsiders are a little hard done by with a lot of cool crafty places north of the river. Shelley Panton helps to fix this with an eclectic range of products - whether you're looking to buy for yourself or for a gift, you're bound to find something here that tickles your fancy. The shop is beautifully decked out - visualise baskets of good overflowing with cute little pieces, colour coordinated products lovingly laid out on tables and also friendly service. Leading into Christmas and special occasions, they will have late night trading (complete with glasses of prosecco and a cheese platter - for real) and special dinners for events such as the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Best of all? Shelley who own the place also has her own pottery for sale (visualise gorgeous plates and kitchen goods) and Jess the resident rescue dog is a beautiful black lab that often wanders around for a little bit of customer love. OK, I admit it. I want to work here. I want to be surrounded by beautiful things, play with Jess all day and lovingly wrap presents and adorn them with ribbons

Good location as one of the few big hardware stores in inner-Melb, and particular inner-Eastern…read moresuburbs. Range isn't quite as comprehensive as other Bunnings, but it would have to have at least 90% of the range. Carpark very crowded on weekends.

One of the things that makes Plants on High so lovely are the people who work there, every time I…read morehave been I am always really pleased with the service. Friendly, honest and surprisingly ethereal, they love the plants and what they do, and being in that sort of atmosphere is contagious. You would never guess that this nursery is on a busy street because when you walk in a sense of quiet and calm is apparent. I personally love walking around the aisles and looking at the bright colours of little cottage flowers like marigolds and petunias, and then looking at the exquisite orchids around the counter. There is something nice about a place that doesn't try to do too much. Plants on High isn't complicated: it is just about the flowers and the plants. It doesn't have a café because it doesn't need to, it doesn't have an enormous landscaping section because it doesn't need one. This local nursery may only be small, but it really is beautiful and the staff are exceptional.

Humble little nursery but exceptionally helpful and friendly staff. If you want good gardening…read moreadvice, come here

I love Melbourne for its broad range of décor styles and influences. And I love The Industrial…read moreRevolution for opening this brave new world to Melbournians. Think huge metal letters (I really mean life sized), vintage style metal cabinetry, old medicine cabinets, cool trolleys, functional buffets, décor wall hangings and a wide range of seating matter. Since the store has a good mix of old, new and reproductions, there's an edgy ambience and you can get inspired with your own décor scheme. Mix it up and add in one or two old pieces for an eclectic appeal. I love that this store carries some very worn pieces of furniture and décor, including life-sized wall hangings and quirky elements that will give any space a focal point or an individual twist.

The Industrial Revolution shop is a fantastic place to look for interesting, unique, designer and…read moreappealing products to fill out your home. I really loved window shopping and even in taking a photo I caught two others peering through as they became entranced by the pretty objects that you can't help but picture being somewhere in your home. There is so much character here where their rustic, older pieces mixed amongst the newer more designer items just seemed to create a beautiful setting where (if I had the money) I would love to have picked up a bunch of decorations to complete some rooms in my home. Some of the hanging lights and macramé hangings were so cool and would look great in a window with some flowers. I got a bit carried away here but of course, it always comes with a price.

This place is like a bed, bath and beyond on steroids!…read more The items in the store are superb for the most basic apartment to a large home. Elegantly accented with amazing pieces ranging from large rooster pieces for the home or garden to wall clocks and furniture bits. It is definitely on our list to return soon!

Company has refused to engage RE issues with large bookcase which was delivered by their…read morestaff/removal company who damaged gyprock when installing the bookcase. Completely unacceptable and I, nor any of my friends will ever purchase anything from them again.

Amazing staff, beautiful products. Quite happy to order in stuff that they don't have.read more

My house is slowly becoming a rainforest. Seriously. At this point I have more plants than cutlery…read moreand I'm looking to add more to my clan. On Sunday morning, while my hankering is normally for a Bloody Mary and some granola, I instead craved fresh plants. It had been a long time since I visited Northroy Nursery and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. From the exterior it appears to be your basic nursery, primarily selling pots and soil however when you walk in you will find quirky cacti, hanging plants and succulents as far as the eye can see. But what is best about Northroy Nursery is their indoor plant section. I was very surprised to see an abundance of fiddle leaf figs (if you're not in the know, these are a very cool plant right about now), which are often very difficult to find in Melbourne. While these were quite small, they were retailing for an eye-boggling 20 clams! I had never seen them so cheap before! They also stocked a LOT of fruit salad plants, hanging plants and also moss for if/when you attempt a terrarium. If you're in the market for some good indoor plants, definitely stop boy Northroy.

Blackbird and Fox is my favourite. Can I write a review this short?…read more But this is my go-to for all things gifting. For babbies, besties or just yourself, Blackbird and Fox has a really lovely range of gifts and presents. Extra bonus = free gift wrapping!

I am totally addicted to Blackbird and Fox! Working locally, I can easily spend my lunchtimes…read moredrooling over lots of gorgeous, locally designed goodies for the home and also for your outfits! I don't think that I've actually every escaped without buying a little something, so be prepared. The owner Kate, is absolutely lovely and always on hand to help you out. If you are looking for a gift (yes, something not for yourself) they offer lovely gift wrapping options too. Follow their Facebook page and you will be kept up to date with new treats coming in so you can get in first!