Been to this shop many times to buy small gifts and the odd thing or two for home. They have a nice…read moreselection of unique pieces from around the world. Great gift ideas and odds and sods for the kitchen and other home decor.

Some shops I just can't leave without buying something. Article is one of them. Part of the…read morePowerscourt Townhouse, it is situated within easy reach from Grafton St. and well worth a visit. Everything is so pretty/elegant/stylish/quirky/or just plain useful that, if you are ever stuck for a gift for someone who already has everything (like most of us), here you'll find something for them. They have the most beautiful greeting cards, scandi-inspired home wear, candles (not the tacky ones), mugs and decoration, maps, quirky wrapping paper, books....the list is long. Go check them out, browse their little shop and if you do, make sure to look up as the ceiling in there in beautiful as well.

All rooms is definitely my kind of shop. I love kitchen gadgets and I'm one of the most avid…read morebargain hunters I know. You'll come across some great stuff here like kitchen scales, garlic crushers and table mats at great prices. I bought a clock here for four euro as part of a last minute Flava Flav Halloween costume last year, so All Rooms Kitchenware holds a special, obnoxiously flashy place in my heart.

I once only had 5 Euro in my pocket and instead of going for a pint or getting a bite to eat, I…read moredecided to spend it in the kitchen shop. I get a weird pleasure from buying home ware. When I moved into my new apartment a couple of weeks ago, I spent ages looking for little black bins to put in my bedroom and in the toilet. I went to six different cheapo shops but I couldn't find anything plain enough. The other shops were selling ridiculous Winnie The Pooh metal bins. Guess where I found my bins? Yes, that's right: the All Rooms Shop. Whether it's a bucket to wash your floor or a dish to roast your chicken, you can find it here in this shop. And for good value too. They have everything you can think of.

No joke, some of the maddest shit ever made from wood is contained within this building. I mean…read moreproper crazy, crazy on a stick even. Go in for a gander, you'll see at least one thing that makes no sense. I love it.

I have to confess, this store scares me a bit... you wander around by yourself, it's dark inside,…read moreand you're surrounded by ancient Indonesian tribal pieces and gigantic eagles carved out of dark wood. You could almost imagine it being the scene of the next big horror movie (one role I wouldn't ever hope to star in!) But don't get me wrong, this is an amazing store, filled with some awesome authentic pieces from around the world. If you have a few quid on you and you like the earthy look, head in here for some great finds. If it's a Balinese warrior's mask or some sculptures from Irian Jaya you're looking for, be sure to make Decor your first stop. They also have a wide range of canvas paintings going for around the 300 euro mark. Interesting for a bit of a gander, and just so you know, you can go upstairs, there's more on display up there!

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.

Have you ever dreamed of being Aladdin, flying off into the unknown in search of adventures?…read more Well, if Aladdin would be in Dublin, he and Abu would head straight to Oriental rugs to pick up their flying carpet. The shop is now offering 50% off everything (carpets, rugs and tapestries) and with 1000s of rugs and carpets for sale, I'm sure you'll be able to find the magic one.

This shop had s vast array of beautiful hand-woven rugs of differing shapes and sizes, and right…read morenow there is real value to be had as a good deal of the stock is on sale at half the marked price. Comparing to prices online of oriental rugs, and having judged first-hand the quality here, if you're in the market for a rug, kilim style etc., I would very much recommend this place. The owner is really helpful too without being pushy, and even offered to let me take home a rug or two to try out which let's face it, you're never gonna get from an online retailer. Which is why retailers like this won't die out, whatever the changing market habits. Give yourself a bit of time though as there are a lot of rugs to inspect, in a small space.

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.

This is a great antique shop, stuffed with small treasures of porcelain, crystal, glass, bronze and…read morewood. They specialise in antiques from 19th and 20th century, with selection of table lamps, jewellery caskets, clocks and dining plates in quality condition. But these pieces come with a big price-tag (maybe not for antiques, but I'm no expert). Just to give you an idea, a set of six 'Brass Strung Late Regency Period Mahogany Dining Chairs', (they're gorgeous, and would look so much better with my dining table than my black Ikea chairs. I'm even sure my food would taste ten times better, my guests would be happier, and more fun. I would be more fun, and ... ) What was I saying? Ohh yes, the set costs €2350.00. There you have it!

This place is super fun and funny. They sell lots of great antiques in great condition... but most…read moreof them just so happen to be extremely ornate and fabulous. We're talking gold leaf out the yin-yang. The best items are these crazy oversized chairs that are wicker and silver and about 6 feet tall and just insane. A close second is a pair of gold chairs with turquoise upholstery. Totally funky! It would be so hilarious to have a totally normal house and then decorate the guest room with a huge four-poster bed and all this crazy stuff. You'd definitely give your guests a night to remember!