You know those shops that have a magnifying glass with handles made of seashells? Yup, this is one…read moreof those! Actually this is a really nice shop... if you like those sort of shops. It is packed full of mirrors, lamps, soft furnishings and photo frames. There are also wee gifts dotted around the place (wallets, letter opener sets etc....) which is a nice touch.

Cottonwood is a cute shop featuring various bric-a-brac for the home, vases, mirrors and photo…read moreframes but also the bigger stuff like tables and chandeliers. They're now offering 20% off everything so if you're in the middle of re-decorating your apartment, the selection is worth a look if you're in the area. If you take the Luas line, it's just a few steps from the Dundrum stop, on your left-hand side when heading to Dundrum Town Centre. Yo can't miss it.

Global Village has been in Blackrock for as long as I can remember. It's a great furniture shop…read morewith an unusual take on things. It was a head of it's time providing really nice, stylish furniture made from either recycled or 100% natural materials where they can. They have all sorts of furniture; lounge stuff, dining furniture and bedroom furniture. They change lots during the year so there's always something different. Their pieces look a little alternative or exotic so they make for great focus pieces or wedding presents. They also have nice accessories which are more within most budgets; photo frames and buddha figures, fabulous lamps, bed and table linen, cushions, prints, paintings and mirrors. They also have an in-house interior designer to help you out with some housey tips.

unfortunately my experience of Global Village has not been good. A very expensive mirror we bought…read morehad the paint stripped off on receipt, another mirror was cracked. On discovering these problems Global Village were extremely unhelpful and rude. They requested we return goods to the shop even though they have a collection service. The shop confirmed that a replacement mirror was waiting but when we arrived the woman had no record and argued with my wife. altogether the service was appalling

Meadows & Byrne is a pretty cool home and garden shop in Dun Laoghaire. It's one of those places…read moreyou walk into with no intention of buying anything, and then leave with a whole range of interesting items you never knew you'd ever want or need (but you need them now!) They sell all sorts, from kitchen furniture to glasses, to 'slurp' soup mugs, to banana leaf trays and garden settings. My favourite item in store is the wall-mounted wine opener, which comes in at a pretty 139 euro (ouch, but once you see it no price is too great!) A good place for some Sunday shopping if you're of the inclination. They also have an Insomnia cafe attached for those who tire of their partner's browsing habits.

This is a nice big open store with plenty of ideas if you are furnishing your home...at a price…read more Good selection of cooking and kitchen gear and they are mostly where I go when I am looking for something in particular as they generally have it. Think Ikea but more expensive so keep an eye open for their sales as they generally have a good bargain to be found. When you do bite the bullet and buy something you generally still love it even after a few years and their stuff is always good quality so perhaps they may be expensive but worth it.

Hard to fault them really, LOTS of staff, selling pretty much everything from beds to blenders…read more Lots of staff means you are not left waiting, there is someone there to explain the difference between X and Y and which might suite you better and they do it with a smile. Prices are overall pretty good too.

Notwithstanding their annoying radio ads, which seem to have gone away for now, I found myself…read morequite enjoying my Harvey Norman experience. I had a notion of what TV I wanted before going in and that's what I got.... but for cheaper than expected. As I strolled my way over to the wall of TV screens, I was stopped and asked if I wanted help, so I said 'yes please... I'd like a TV'... look at me being all grown up and buying a new tv instead of getting second hand ones! I'd wanted a 23inch but it seemed so puny against the wall of giant screens... I had a vulnerable moment and asked about bigger sizes (even though rationally I knew they wouldn't fit in the space in my apartment). Thankfully the sales guy didn't pounce of my wide-eyed moment brought on by too much shininess and just sold me what I asked for, but including a four year warantee in the price... look at me all grown up with a warantee! There is precisely no chance that I won't lose that piece of paper! The TV is now at home and being all shiny and vibrant... I may be experiencing sensory overload as a result!

MEAT EATERS OF THE WORLD UNITE - MY NEW BBQ - 80 QUID CHEAPER…read more I found this place on the internet after a particularly stressful encounter with a bad sales person in another garden Centre. I was in the market for a Weber BBQ. If you dont know what these are they are a pretty spendy investment into outdoor gas cooking but are without doubt top quality. They will outlast any other BBQ on the market and have a 25Y guarantee to back it up... Anyway this place at Goatstown Cross not only does BBQs but all kinds of Garden furniture, planters, parasols, gas heaters, electric heaters, fire pits etc.. Lots of cool stuff for the garden. John who owns the place was very knowledgeable about the whole BBQ scene steered me in a new happier direction of BB type and I am not disappointed. For anyone considering buying a Weber you wont find better value in the City. I drove from the last dealer in Clondalkin and saved myself over 80 quid by going to Outdoor Scene!! It seems all the garden centres which sell Weber will not discount until after the end of the season when people dont want to cook outside any more. Ill be back again to buy more stuff for the Barbie.

Poor customer service. Do not respond to emails queries on website. Contacted about an item which I…read morewas told was in stock. Was told I needed appointment to view because of COVID 19 restrictions. Arrived on date of appointment. People appeared to be entering and leaving with no appointment. Was told that one item of the set I wanted was no longer in stock. Manager was quite dismissive with a hard luck attitude. They had sold everything online so my loss. No offer to suggest an alternative. Hope business stays strong for them. Clearly don't need to make an effort currently.