I'm guessing everybody's familiar with Homeless, the eccentric but often pricey lifestyle store. If…read moreyou're into that kind of fun, creative stuff, it's worth checking out lesser-known Lost & Found, which is similar to Homeless but in my opinion sells more practical things rather than quirky items that you'd use once or twice and then set aside. Lost & Found isn't hard to locate (ha!). It's at phase two of Olympian City, and you'll definitely walk past it when you take the bridge to phase three. There's another store at The One in TST, but I've never been to that one. This means that if you live on the Island or in New Territories, coming to Lost & Found may be a little bit of a trip. If I had just moved in to a new place or am redecorating parts of my apartment, I would definitely make a stop at Lost & Found. I like to think that things here can be classes into two categories, in my opinion - the vintage-y stuff and the more modern, colorful items. I love anything with that rugged, brassy look, and Lost & Found has tons of that in its vintage section. I can totally imagine decking my living room out on their gorgeous photo frames and little cupboards! For the more... FUNctionalist ones out there (sorry, I couldn't resist!), Lost & Found is big on colorful, modern-looking kitchen supplies. There are lots of colorful, disco ball-like bowls and plates that can jazz up any dinner party. Kitchen essentials like soup spoons and spatulas come in all sorts of different colors here, so if you're not one to settle with all that boring kitchen ware, this is your place! Another thing really worth checking out here are the clocks. They have loads of vintage hanging clocks featuring adorable animals like polar bears and pugs. Others are attached to a little countryside cottage and those are really cute too. I wanted to get one for a friend for her birthday, but as per Chinese traditions, it's considered sending somebody bad luck if you gift them a clock for their birthday. But just like Homeless, Lost & Found does not come cheap. One of those clocks I mentioned will set you back at least $300, and the more intricate ones with the cottage house are about $480. Although there was a sign outside that said 'on sale - up to 50% off', I didn't see a lot of items that actually were on sale! Overall, this is more of a place to browse and window-shop than to do actual shopping for me. Maybe one day if I'm thinking of redecorating, and if that coincides with them doing a massive sale, then I'll definitely pick up an item or two here!

Practicality and utility seem to be the only concern for most Hongkongers here when it comes to…read moreinterior design. However, who says we cannot make it both fun and practical? Come to Lost & Found, which is a unique lifestyle concept store where you may find all sort of things including furniture, gifts, home accessories, etc. It's flagship is in Tsim Sha Tsui but this one is not as crowded as the one there since it is at a corner on the second floor of Olympian City (which is currently undergoing reconstruction). They have over hundreds of different brands from all over the world like Koziol, Fred, Magis, Umbra. They also have local designs as well. I personally adore the clocks there with all of them having their own design. All are rather unique and innovative. At this modern age where most people tend to use their smart phone as their telling time device, clocks may one day become obsolete. However, once you have seen what they have here, you may buy more clocks than you actually need. Next time when you are looking for home accessories or gifts for your friends, this place will not disappoint you. Warning though: you may probably end up like a kid in a candy store with so many creative products on display here. So... worry about your purse.

Laura Ashley is probably my mother's favorite store. Everything here - the kitchenware, the photo…read moreframes, the furniture - is very floral, very cream, very pastel. Stuff like this is right up my mother's alley, and it's hard to tear her away once she's inside! When I was younger, my mother bought my bed sheets, blanket covers and pillow covers here. The theme was little ballerinas, and the covers had tiny ballerinas with their even tinier tutus dancing in a pretty pink expanse. I had a cushion cover to go with it, and I still have that, actually! Their bed stuff (I can't think of the word for it at the moment!) is all really cute and girly - they all have adorable prints that every little girl would love, like sweet little daisies and embroidered hearts. There are sets for boys too with themes like cars and football! The home decor here is gorgeous too - we have quite a couple of photo frames from Laura Ashley, and have gifted them to friends. The little things like coasters, lids for mugs and candle holders are all so pretty and daintily designed that just admiring them in the shop is fun. My mother's been eyeing this gorgeous cream-colored lampshade with a little bit of lace and embroidery going around it for the longest time. But unfortunately, we don't have a lamp that would fit that lampshade... But maybe someday! Laura Ashley also does clothes, but to be honest, I don't think they're very nice. They're all kind of shapeless and look a little too old-fashioned. I do remember my aunt buying a too here a couple years back that looked pretty good, but that's about it - neither my mother not I go for the clothes' section when we're here! Everything at Laura Ashley is so pretty, but also quite expensive. While I often see huge sale signs on the store windows, the discounts are never very significant - fifteen percent off at best. Overall, this is a great place to look around in if you're a fan of these kind of dainty, floral and not at all over-the-top patterns. Do watch that wallet though, because nothing really comes cheap here!

Smallish IKEA store located in a home furnishings complex. Walkways are tighter and displays are…read moresmaller. I'm told there is a larger IKEA in Hong Kong in the New Territories. Items seem to be different than in the US but the concept is the same. Great functional design, poor particle board construction. The complex it anchors is cool as it features many other home furnishing stores. The cafe is the best of any IKEA I've ever been to.

I have to say that IKEA has the most unique setting of all shops. By that I mean, how smart of them…read moreto actually make sure you will have to walk from the start to the end even though the food court is the place you want to visit? Oh, you want just a hotdog? You better start walking now as time is running out! Though it sounds sort of sarcastic, I promise you that I do not mean that. I really do like this place. It was my favorite hide and seek place when I was little. The store is humongous and it is indoor with air conditioning. No worry about sweating and stuff. And on top of that, it has all kind of stuff you can hide yourself in. The bathing section is my favourite. Joke aside. I believe IKEA really does provide good services for all. If you are looking for any kind of furniture or home appliances, it seems like you can also get them here with the help of professional staff here. Nowadays I believe the most popular place of the store has to be the Food Court. People keep saying that the meatballs are great, which I have a rather mix feeling about it. They are definitely not bad but are they really that good? Compared to the meatballs you can try else where in Hong Kong, I believe there are some better ones. Sometimes the food here is served cold unfortunately, which tastes like canteen food. Anyhow, I still do love this place. So, not really complaining.

Franc Franc is a Japanese home decoration and furniture store. Even though it's a Japanese brand,…read morethe styles here are more western or classic than cute prints and animations-esque. Franc Franc pretty much sells every home-related item under the sun. Furnishing your apartment? They've got tables, chairs, rugs and everything you need to make your house the perfect home. Need cutlery? They've got classic forks and knives, and they have really nice plates and cups too - you'll be sure to find a design that you like. I find that Franc Franc is a good place to buy gifts for people when you aren't sure what to get them, just because there's such a large variety of stuff. For the ladies, there are a nice range of candles and candle holders - I actually have one myself and have bought a set for a family friend before. They've got tons of reed diffusers - not only do the scents smell good, the jars are adorable too! Franc Franc is a more feminine store - you won't find many guys in there - so this probably won't be the best place to look for gifts for your guy friends. The store that I frequent most is the one in Homesquare in Sha Tin, but it's also one of the smaller ones. You'll find mostly bits and bobs here like mugs and photo frames, but if you go to the bigger ones, like the one at Festival Walk or the two over at Causeway Bay, you'll see displays of furniture. They don't do things like beds though, but they've got you covered with living room furniture. Even though Franc Franc is a little pricey, I think it's worth checking out if you're moving in, thinking of redecorating your house, or just need a good gift for a friend.