Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

Gift shops are my Achilles' heel, and Edinburgh has a wonderful selection of them…read more Curiouser and Curiouser is full of lovely artwork and prints, gifts and other things you never knew you needed until you walked in here. They also offer a fantastic bespoke framing service. A few years ago I was looking for a very specific size and design of mirror. I asked for help on Twitter and Curiouser and Curiouser saw this and replied offering their services. I went into the shop, they made a framed mirror exactly as I wanted and of fantastic quality. If you are ever around Broughton Street area then I definitely recommend you popping in here. And maybe go to Treacle for some food after :)

Why am I only just discovering this little gem today?!…read more A stop off in Edinburgh is always great fun, and a wander along Broughton St is always great. Today the highlight of the wander was coming across this place. Filled with lots of cute and wonderful things - from books on how to knit zoo animals, greetings cards, ceramics and prints and artwork with price tags that won't break the bank. It appears to be a small family business and the staff are pretty relaxed and more than happy to chat; but the dog didn't seem all that interested in what was going on. I bought some prints for my living room, a book on print-making and a ceramic bowl for my coffee table. I could easily have purchased most of this shop. So if you're in search of a special card or gift, I can't recumbent this place any higher!

Those looking to unleash the interior designer within themselves can do no better than to come…read morehere. It's not particularly cheap, but if it's modern and slightly more unique items you are after then this is the place you are looking for. However, it should be noted that this place does not deal exclusively in lights and also offers other interior items generally including some sort of relationship to light in one form or another such as a number of items of furniture consisting of mirrors as their external surface. IF you do want something a bit more specific and have the money to spend then a visit here might be in order.

I was a little confused as I walked up to Cotterell Lighting store in the Newington area. I was…read morepresented with what appeared to be a beautiful old church but the "Sale now on" said something different. Then, I noticed the huge signs for "Cotterell Lighting" and I decided to pop in. I was still really confused and wondered if I was entering some kind of bizarre lighting cult. As soon as I entered I realised that it was indeed a shop, and it sold lighting, all kinds of lighting, in every design you could think of. There were two friendly staff members working who just told me to give them a shout if I needed any help so I decided to browse. I couldn't believe how many different lighting styles they had and if you're looking for a new lampshade or light then you will find exactly what you're looking for here. In addition to lighting they also do a small amount of furniture. I noticed a really cool mirror ball light, a lampshade on a stand that was designed to look like a fish bone and a huge mirror that I like instantly as it made me look better than I actually do. I have to admit, it was a little odd walking around an old church and it was pretty much intact apart from the missing pews. When I looked up I could see that the upper seating of the church was still there and if that area was still accessible you could have taken a seat and looked down at the now lighting shop. The creaking floor boards were still there as were the stained glass window and painted high ceiling. It seems a waste that such a beautiful church is now just a shop and even stranger that it hasn't been disguised as a shop. I'd recommend visiting under the guise that you need a new lightbulb, as it really is an experience.

Peering into the window of Zamboo, I thought I would absolutely hate everything inside as it looked…read morelike overpriced tat. I was pleasantly surprised when I browsed around as more than a few things caught my eye. I find this shop hilarious as it has a really stagnant feel about it with bizarre music that sounds like something off of a TV shopping channel. You know, the ones on at dubious hours where they flog off what look like the remnants of an old ladies house starting at £9027354924 for a pair of curtains and get them down to £1. I'm not sure I would actually buy anything from here but I could see a few things looking good on a dining room table or as focal points in hallways or the like. Good for presents I guess and the prices aren't too bad either, I spotted a nice vase for £25, so good for a housewarming gift or something for a house proud family member. My friend was a huge fan of the chess board table mats complete with other decorative table stuff and a storage case also in keeping with the chess theme. This little set was £129 and although quite pricey, it was really unusual and if you like that kind of thing then why not? They also had a rather bizarre green ceramic horse/donkey thing and at £199 I'm at a loss to understand what you would do with it, where you would put it and why on earth anyone would want such a monstrosity?

Same here - I have walked past Zamboo and browsed there sometime but never really been tempted to…read morebuy. The items look lovely in the shop all together but I am not sure if any of it would look ok on it's own in my house. Sure must suit some people's houses.

Tiger's new store is finally here! They have moved out of the derelict St James Centre and into…read more.. the dark and gloomy Waverley Mall. While their new location isn't in my favourite shopping centre, I'm just glad that they listened to my pleads so that I wouldn't have to be without my Tiger while they demolished the St James Centre. The new store is a bit smaller than the old one at St James but the aisles are less cramped and since not many people know about it yet, it is nice and peaceful. The store itself is clean, bright and the staff from the previous store have been kept on which is good because they were always cheerful when I visited the old store. The selection of stock that this store offers is great. The gift aisle was booming, as was the craft aisle. I managed to find my beloved chunky felt tips and quirky novelty gifts and pay for them with no bother at all. The cash desks are conveniently located at the front of the shop, which is so much better than the old store, where they were in the middle of everything causing a huge blockage. I will be continuing to shop at Tiger. They also have a fancy new name and instead of being called Tiger, they are now Flying Tiger Copenhagen! Talk about being fancy!

What a great store! I walked in to wander around and boy did I have a successful day. At first I…read morepurchased the coolest pillow case with swimmers on it and then on the way out I bought a waterproof backpack. Not only is it good looking but a necessity for rainy locations. Although I don't remember the names of the 2 women working in the store they were fabulous. They were not pushy about making purchases but they know the inventory well and can speak to the quality and answer questions you have. They were very friendly and even went above and beyond to help me locate a place in Scotland not related to their store at all. Such a great store with unique items of quality, value and various price points so I'm sure a local or visitor to Edinburgh can find something great.

If I could do minimalist and keep my house tidy.. this shop is what I'd want my living room to look…read morelike.. airy, lofty, filled with funky prints, quirky coffee table books and gorgeous ceramic bowls, plates and mugs.. Prices are actually quite reasonable for the 'designer' aspect of things. Good place to look for gifts for those who have everything they need..

The first thing to say about the Nomad's Tent is that it is surprising. Down an unremarkable side…read morestreet, in the largely featureless area between the Commonwealth Pool and the Pleasance, you don't expect to suddenly stumble across a huge emporium of rare and exotic artefacts from around the world. When I first came here, I almost thought it must be some kind of mirage, and half suspected that it would have disappeared into thin air the next time I passed by. Subsequent visits have reassured me that the place is perfectly real. Stepping inside is like stepping out of Scotland into another, opulent realm where every inch of space is covered with priceless Turkish carpets, Ming vases, lacquered cabinets, Russian icon paintings, luxurious wall hangings and ceremonial costumes from nomadic tribes. I have no idea where the owner of this shop acquires all these amazing items, nor who comes to this out of the way shop to buy them, but I do know that you can spend hours marvelling at what is in here. Although, unless you happen to be a wealthy aristocrat looking to furnish a palace, or some other extravagant moneyed-up type, you'll probably, like me, limit yourself to window shopping.

Absolutely fantastic little hidden gem…read more Entrusted my Persian rug to them to have loops attached so I could wall mount it. The work was carried out to a high standard and the service was great. Really personable and knowledgeable staff. Good value and fabulous expediency. Would definitely use again for maintenance.

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.