Okay, so this store has pretty much every bloody kitchen appliance you could ever want in your…read morewhole entire life. If you like homeware or you're my mom, you'll be able to spend hours in this joint. Hours and dollars. The Home Store stocks pretty fancy kitchenware - KitchenAid, Le Creuset etc. Basically, if you need a gift for someone who likes to cook or bake or entertain, this is the place to go. You literally will not be able to leave this store without finding something to buy someone for their wedding, or for your aunt or your sister. There are other home accessories as well as kitchenware - straws and cookie cutters, teapots and porcelain and pegs. Another plus: their gift wrapping service is on point, so that's a bonus.

This store is one awesome store. The Home Store has the good stuff. Not to name drop but they sell…read morethe likes of Cuisine Art, Kitchen Aid appliances, Le Creuset, Villeroy and Boch. If you love baking, they have an massive selection of cupcake and cookie things as well as anything you could possibly need to decorate a cake. This would be the place to come if you are really into entertaining, no matter what the occasion you'd entertain in style. The Home Store also stocks cute things like pretty coloured paper straws, little glass milk bottles, ice cream cups, popcorn bags which would be great for kids birthday parties or baby showers. The Home Store has a great range of high quality brands, a great store to find gifts for others and things for your home that make every day chores more fun, such as pretty coloured pegs and peg baskets and the Joseph & Joseph range. The merchandising in this store is equally fantastic and they do have a gift wrapping service and wedding gift registry services.

My partners been mentioning for months every time we are in the kitchen cooking together that I…read moremust take our knives down the road and get them sharpened. I would always reply, yea I know, then completely forget until the next time I wanted to slice something and the knife just didn't seem sharp enough, I'm sure you know what I mean? So I had a reason to pop down and check the Chef Shop located on Lake Road close to my neighborhood. The entrance to the building is shared with a next door real estate office. I met the owner Roy on my first visit, and he greeted me happily, and was more than happy to take my knives for sharpening. He told me that he would be off for the weekend, and would try to have them done by the Friday, if not they would be ready for me the following week, and to expect a phone call. I left my name and phone number, but didn't hear back from them the following week, so gave them a call, and they were there waiting for me. The cost of the 4 knives I wanted sharpened cost me 5 dollars each and I was super happy with the results. I now love chopping up anything and everything, and cooking is not so much a chore anymore.

Who would have thought a small clearance store in Parnell would have lasted long? Years ago, when M…read moreClearance first opened, I was convinced it was just a pop-up store. To see them still trading today is like watch a uplifting Disney under-dog story. M Clearance stock housewares and glassware, so is a great place to buy cheap but quality wine glasses. And you don't have to know the difference between Swarovski or Zwiesel. Just honest and decent products, with cheerful service usually reserved for outside of the Parnell suburb. If you are growing up and moving from being a student into "in a relationship" M Clearance is a great place to get some reasonable kitchenware. Or if you have recently moved into the fancier side of town and have just been made aware of the difference between a red wine glass and a stein, you can step up your game here without breaking the bank.

I had a disappointing experience with this store…read more I received my order and immediately noticed that the clothes had a very strong fragrance smell. Given that I ordered premium organic children's clothing, this was quite concerning and contrary to what many parents expect - minimal processing and no added scents. They also sell diffusers and candles, which may explain the scent contamination. I emailed the same day I received the package to request a return and refund. It then took a full week to receive a response, which simply instructed me to return the items to a warehouse address, with no clear process. I replied the same day asking reasonable questions -such as the warehouse opening hours, whether I could drop the items off in person. It has now been another week with no response. This was also confusing because their company policy states that online orders can be returned to any of their retail stores. This would have been far more convenient, as they have multiple locations with set opening hours and staff available, so you know you can actually speak to someone and have the return handled properly. Overall, the lack of communication, slow response times, and inconsistency with their stated return policy have been very frustrating. For a brand positioning itself as premium, I expected much better customer service and handling of returns. I would also caution other parents who prefer unscented, minimally treated baby clothing to keep this in mind when ordering.

Father Rabbit is the absolute best. It seriously turns me into a gushing 16 year old. They've got…read morebeautiful, beautiful homewares, candles, children's clothing and there's a small amount of adult clothing too. This store is larger than their Ponsonby one and is located inside Bloc, which is dangerous in itself. But back to F.R, the brands they stock are all seriously stunning - lots of whites, neutrals and soft pastels.... it's my dream to make my house look like this one day... Not surprisingly, Father Rabbit has become my go-to for gifts. It isn't outrageously expensive and they've got a wide range of products, something for everyone. Check it out next time you're in Mt Eden....the ultimate one stop shop.

Wallace Cotton is a beautiful store well situated in Newmarket on Teed Street. They have their own…read moreon site parking which is an added bonus and the store stocks what I think is pretty decent product that is of of good quality and well priced. Each season they change their collections offering exclusive prints and designs for bedlinen such as sheeting, duvets, quilts and cushions. They do some really nice quilted cotton quilts, I bought one from them a while back and it washes up wonderfully. Wallace Cotton also sell a bit of clothing, tea towels and tablecloths and when they go on sale the discounts are really good too. Another thing I like about this store is that they do not use plastic bags, every purchase is put in a fabric bag.

Wallace Cotton do great bed linen, kitchen, bath, homeware and clothing for him, her & children…read more They are a fun brand with vibrant colours in duvet covers: multi-pastel polka dots (Happy Town) or floral (Cherie) and a few others including pristine whites. I love their boudoir velvet robes ($130) and funky slippers ($25) which are both luxurious and practical. They do a selection of furniture ranging from Hancock crates ($80) to ironing board units ($85) to bedside tables ($450) however they sell-out fast. Friendly environment and staff. They have wonderful sales too!

This place is the ultimate store to buy presents for women who have homes. If you are having…read moretrouble finding a good gift, and the future recipient is a women with a home, then head on down to the Homestore my friend. You can literally walk through this store with your eyes closed, pick up something at random, and you have like ninety percent chance of it being a good gift for a women with a home. They stock things which are practical, but also very gifty. There are a lot of things in this shop which people would love to have but probably would never buy for themselves - perfect gift material. After browsing this store for 5 min you will walk out with a gift that is deceivingly thoughtful seeming.

We considered doing a gift registry here for our wedding. We went into the store and an English guy…read moretold us that we would have to wait and see their wedding consultant who would not be here for a couple of hours. We asked him could we not just browse and do it ourselves but he didn't seem to want that. I must say there are some beautiful things for the home in this store - it's a very discerning choice of stock. It's pretty pricey so which is why we did not do our gift registry here in the end. Like I've said some beautiful stuff that would look great in your home but perhaps those getting married might want to look elsewhere - unless of course their guests are rolling in money!

Do not recommend. Teapot broke when put down on bench - way too fragile. Also lid had to be held on…read morewhen pouring. Poor design all round

Don't order anything online over the Xmas period, you'll be waiting until well into the new year…read morejust for it to be picked! Don't trade over Xmas if customers are expected to wait for an unreasonable amount of time for their goods. You should be transparent at the point of sale about the wait times so customers can't then opt out!

Wah Lee is such a delightful oriental emporium…read more They stock all sorts from teapots, ceramics, and paper lanterns, to beaded slippers and jasmine tea just to name a few. I really enjoy wandering through the store and stocking up on something different and quirky every visit. I have been to San Francisco and it reminded me of a few stores I had seen while shopping in China Town. I love that they have a real mix of products not just one type you have a vast variety! During Guy Fawkes celebrations they are mega popular from 2nd-5th of November when then sell a few popular brands of fireworks. The tea pots and Chinese vases are my fave at the store they have some really beautiful designs that compliment the home and kitchen. Worth a stop in to funk up the flat, home or grab some cool gifts for friends.

Wah Lee's was the one of the first shops to stock "Asian" food in Auckland; it's been around since…read more1904 and is still possibly one of best places to go in the city, mostly 'cause it's maybe the furtherest thing I can think of from a chain store; totally idiosyncratic and full of personality. As they say on their Facebook page: "We have had many chats, possibly not the best for someone that likes efficient service-although the staff may think that is what you want." It's almost impossible to explain Wah Lee's to someone who hasn't been there: they sell food, but also fireworks, but also health supplements, but also bamboo blinds, plus shoes, plus tea. It's really just a treasure trove. You could spend hours here digging through everything, and the staff would probably just help you rather than scowl and try and move you on as they would in other places. Look, it's just great: please go there and spend money so they can last another 109 years. (There was a great documentary about this place on Nat Rad a few years ago; tracing both the change in shopping habits but also Auckland's Chinese community; it's probably still up on the Radio NZ website if you're interested.)

Indie home is the newish design spot on Nuffield st. I never leave without something - from trays…read moreetc from Papaya, antlers ( the new coral- and less well known design items. The candles are to die for and the little pots for succulents or orchids are fantastic. My new favorite place !!

If you are truly a lover of uber-cool chic understated style, then this exquisite emporium is a…read moremust visit. Owner, Claudia, is a professional stylist with her finger on the zeitgeist of all things hip! From cowhide rugs to European linen sheets, furniture, accessories, scented candles, plants ... And oh ,,, don't start me on the shells!!! I nearly faint with a mixture of happiness and excitement as I lust and leche-vitrines and frequently purchase! With a vibe that's a little bit Byron Bay Bo-Ho, a little bit Scandi, a little South African and by Kiwi standards in a unique class of it's own, this Newmarket retaile space is to die for. I want it all!!!!

I love Collected. It is possibly one of my favourite shops in terms of homewares, gifts and knick…read moreknacks. Plus everything is super bright that you'll just want to buy the whole shop! They stock Lindi King bracelets (which are all bright colours and come with different charms), wall art, gift cards, candles, home aromatherapy perfumes (the skull ones are amazing), children's gifts and toys, cushions, lampshades, and so much more! I love coming here when I need to buy presents for friends and family, plus staff are always super friendly and helpful and they offer colourful gift wrapping too!

I only just discovered this shop today and it was by accident! They are in the Bloc Building on…read moreNormanby Road (just across the road from the Normanby hotel). On the ground level is the Citta Design shop and then if you go upstairs you'll find the Collected. What a find it is! I wanted so much in the shop. And the really good part is there was some really nice stuff for around $20 or less such as dinner plates, various knick knacks, candles and other stuff made of awesome. There was so much I wanted to purchase. So once I have a bit more cash in the bank, I will definitely be back (come on pay day)!