Located just on the corner of Portobello High Street, this antiques shop is in a prime place to…read moreattract those passers by who just happen to be have a little look in the window. And before you know it your in there having a closer inspection. This is exactly what happened to myself. With its glass windows, you can see right into the shop, and see the many glorious antiques which are on offer. There is a real good mix match of antiques in Friday Street, with no real focus on a certain period of antiques. This makes it quite random and nice in a way as you are viewing items with different styles from different periods. Prices are not cheapest, well, I suppose antiques are not cheap items are they! A great little shop with friendly staff with chairs, lights, home ware and ornaments galore! A great place to get lost in!

Being a history student, antiques will always attract me, not that I have the money to be able to…read morepurchase anything in such shops, as antiques tend to be pretty expensive. Just like Matthew, I was walking along Portobello when Friday Street Antiques and Curiosities caught my eye. The shop is full to the brim of little bits and pieces, all of which would probably have absolutely no use to you, but that's not the point. The point is that you have a piece of history, and if that's what you are after, then you will love this place. There is no specific date on when the items come from, although most are late 19th century, early 20th, and there is no specific item on sale here and that's why I like it so much, you never know what you are going to find in here. The owner is very knowledgeable of her items and she even gave me bits of information on certain items without me even asking about them!

What a cute junkyard! Full of worn (preloved?) antiques, this place is great for a wee rummage…read more It's tucked at the far end of Drum estate - past the doggy day care to the left. A great place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

One of only 2 stores on the Royal Mile that is still owned and operated by the same family. The…read moreowners have amassed an amazing collection of truly beautiful pieces of jewelry from a range of prices. You'll find £200 silver rings from the 90s to priceless sapphire necklaces from the 1700s. But for as exquisite as their pieces are, the owners are extremely friendly and, if you ask, will tell you all about the various eras of the Royal Mile. My fiancée tried on a gorgeous silver necklace from a 1940s/50s contemporary of Frida Kahlo, and provided us with a packet of documentation proving it. After buying the piece (it looks amazing on her) we looked up the jewelry designer and found that, frankly, they could have been charging a lot more for the necklace. We walked away with an amazing deal, a beautiful necklace, and probably the best interaction I've ever had at a jewelry shop in my life.

This jewelry store is one very, very special place. Yes, they have amazing gorgeous jewelry, but…read morethe store is way more than that - visiting this store is an experience - a wonderful experience. The kind and brilliant brothers that run the place are nothing short of remarkable. They have taught me so much about jewelry, the history of the jewelry and the area. I visit this store every time I go to Edinburgh, would not miss it.

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.

Finally! An antique warehouse where I can actually afford something. Whilst this Aladdin's Cave…read morestill contains many high end, beautiful pieces of history, they also have some little nick nacks that can brighten up and add interest to any home. We are now the proud owners of a Bakelite clock. I could have happily spent a lot more money in there, but then, how to get it all home? Plenty to look through, and helpfully categorised by type. Cheviot Antiques also offers a range of new goods, inkeeping with an antique style.

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.

The Scottish Antique and Arts Centre made me feel like Alice. - It really does feel like some kind…read moreof wonderland; an emporium of the nostalgic, with room after exciting room. A huge part of me loves the mystery of something pre-loved. - And the SAAC definitely got this part of me giddy. Seriously. This is legitimately a vintage clothing, music, jewellery, glass, furniture, EVERYTHING shop. The place is HUGE. And they have a cafe and gift shop. You could really lose track of time, and even then, you'd feel like there was more to see. I didn't want to miss anything, and I've already planned my next visit, alongside a list of folks who I know will love it as much as I do. Price-wise, yes, antiques can be expensive business but if you're planning to buy a gift for someone special, then you could most definitely stay within budget. The jewellery section was absolutely stunning with an amazing amount of choice and a variety of prices too. Equally so, if you're looking for something really really special and prepared to spend that bit more, you won't be stuck for choice here. - There are just so many beautiful things I felt free to wander and, whilst staff walked around the centre and CCTV was in operation, it wasn't intrusive and it didn't make me feel uncomfortable. You could visit just for the sake of visiting and make a real day of it, and even go to the cafe afterwards. - Something I've a feeling I'll want to do again and again and again.

Ooooooh - a treasure trove !…read more Whether you're looking for something in particular or just fancy a dig around in some antiques, SAAC is a great place. They do furniture, books, paintings, jewellery, clothes, old toys, coins, postcards - heck, just about anything! And when you're done there's a wee coffee shop there too. Brilliant for a rainy day or for hunting down that prize chesterfield furniture.

Cavanagh may be the size of a cupboard, but it is crammed to capacity with curiosities from all…read moreareas. I was enticed in by the vintage signs lying at the door and the postcards in a box outside. I managed to find a motley assortment of 80s horrors all from Athena card shop (which I remember, so I must be getting old). At the time my mum loved that place but seeing all the old cards was a blast from the garish past. Flicking through I saw some supposed page 3 models with mullets, and stripey colours sitting side by side that should never be mixed. 5 for 50p, you say? I'll take them! Maybe these postcards should've been left in the can along with Olivia Newton John's Let Get Physical music video, but 80s gore aside Cavanagh's Cave is packed with so much more. From 70s ornaments to military regailia, the exceptionally friendly owner says he "tries to collect a variety of antiques", and he seems to have succeeded. The shop is orderly and although some rarities are more expensive, there were some lovely brooches on sale for a fiver. The owner is as interesting as the stock and is very informed on antique collecting. He was very courteous and willing to help and his store was well organised. Although it is small it has an amazing range of jewellery, most of which is displayed in the window, and there are some beautiful trinkets if you take your time to seek them out. Lovely jubbly!

Wonderful little cubby of a store. Wife enjoyed the jewelry, I enjoyed the militaria! Found some…read moregreat cap badges and a wonderful WW2 era Royal Scots Glengary. Wife found two vintage rings and a necklace. These gems of stores are getting harder and harder to find. Go and support this wonderful family owned business.

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.