I was a big fan of history during my school years and even now I find myself leafing through…read moreantique books and meandering through antique stores. Philicia on Goodwood Road may appear small from the outside but onced you step in, be prepared to vet through rooms of china, collectables, vintage paraphernalia and embrace the 1900s history in this fascinating store. If you're an avid antique collector, you will appreciate the fine beauty and treasures here. A silver Victorian candlebra spoke of the days where she would light the hallways of an English mansion. A 1920 electric wall phone stored love stories and gossip from the Jazz Age era. Vintage enthusiast would adore the delicate range of peticoats, hankies, socks and even bras! What pretty gifts they would make for someone who would appreciate them. Before I left my mini tour, I spotted a couple of stunning walnut cupboards with claw feet. Such intricate details and each carrying bone china collection, Victorian painted dolls and antique plates. I felt like I was reliving the scene from It Happened One Night with dashing Clark Gable. Expect prices to be on the high end here. Even if you're not planning a shopping spree here, it's certainly offers the right dosage of history and charm for those who so desire it.

This tiny looking shop from the out side is enormously filled with every treasure you can…read moreimagine and all the china collectables known are available. It is truly an Aladins cave.I have lived in Adelaide all my life and didn't know this shop existed until I shopped on the internet and realised it was from this shop!This is Adelaide's best kept secret! Would have loved to stay longer but my husband dragged me out in case I bought more, Can't wait to get back there! Run by Phil a retired school principal and his wife Christine ,both are friendly,knowledgeable and helpful.

This shop has no name on the front of the premises, no website, just a little square blackboard on…read morethe window announcing opening hours. Talk about remaining annonymous and the windows are bar reinforced from the inside in case of breakages, what not even a Volvo can penetrate. Judging by the contents it has some very expensive clocks, antiques and collectables which the average every day punter would not be able to afford. But having said that there are some reasonably priced items for that 1904 villa being renovated and the decor furnished to suit. This is also a great resource for film makers wanting to make their period setting look authentic! Clocks are everywhere in here placed on dressers, walls and any perch found, definitely not big bag territory. If you're into antique clocks or looking to find that elusive coocoo clock or looking for a quirky orignial gift for that special person in your life, then go no further than this shop.

Ron is the white haired and feisty fellow who will keep a sharp eye on you if you start mucking…read moreabout in this gallery showroom of remarkably beautiful objects. Mirrors and light fittings rule, but there are some amazing old wood objects like gigantic sideboards and tables, from those days when heavy meant good and solid meant heavy. Some of the chandeliers here will blow your mind. I photographed one that is at least three and a half meters long and is made up of cascading crystal with cut glass balls. Really beautiful if you like that sort of thing. Check out the photograph, although it may not look as big as it really is in the picture I took with my camera. There are quite a few pretty amazing things here and the prices are varied, some things seem inexpensive given the detail and style of materials used. I really admire some of the mirrors particularly; very old style. Some of the lighting fixtures are reproductions, just like the garden statues that are all pretty splendid even if they are made of concrete and painted or given a brushed finish, they still look quite impressive. If you have come into some money and want to make your home look really extraordinary this shop is worth a visit. If you live in an old home and want to give it a historic touch, or if you just want to knock someones socks off by presenting them with a totally gorgeous antique may I suggest you come in and discuss your budget with Ron, let him guide you - he's a very fine chap, ad the stock he has collected here is also very fine.

Well I didn't win any lotto dosh for New Years Eve so I won't be buying what I want from this…read morewonderland of antiques. The shop is busting at the seams with all manner and variety of items and all in usable condition. The centre piece I think of this place is the huge chandelier, just think of the musical Phantom of the Opera and if you've seen it, there's a massive chandelier which comes crashing down when everything goes horribly wrong romance wise...well there's one in here - I might be exaggerating a little but it is huge! If someone buys it, I reckon they'll have to cut a hole in the roof to get it out! Besides chandeliers hanging all over the place, there is a load of other lighting available suspended, wall fixed and standing. Plus furniture, garden statues, dainty french style wire furniture, birdcages, gorgeous mirrors huge, large and small, urns, pots, stone benches and more stuff. Oh and there are some really, really impressive pearly gates...I'm definitely in heaven here.

This second hand shop goes on forever. You walk in and immediately you are overwhelmed. It just…read morekeeps going. Not just hardwood furniture of every shape, size and era - but nick nacks and what some people might call bits of old junk is hidden throughout this shop. There is a little workshop out of the back of the warehouse style building where some of the old furniture is being collected and some restored. I have been in this shop a few times over just a few weeks, and in that time - they had all new products to choose from, which made it another furniture adventure all over again. The furniture is affordable and you can let your imagination run wild with ideas for your home. The staff are incredibly friendly and they are passionate about furniture, restorations and helping their customers. They even offer to deliver large items for free to homes within the area. Martha Stewart would love this place.* *I assume

McKay's Mart Secondhand furniture located on Unley Road is definately one of the better city based…read moresecondhand furniture retailers. The products range from pretty scruffy, to fully restored but all the prices are super competitive and many of the pieces are excellent quality. They have a lot of armoirs, dressing tables, wardrobes and desks. Many pieces are wood and most sorts of timber are well represented. The big warehouse-like store is well laid out so you can walk up and down aisles with very few problems. No fossicking required! Definately a place you must check out if you get into the recycled furniture caper and lack the time to actually attend the auctions yourself.

If you're an antique collector or you just like to fossick through old stuff then you should go to…read moreSue Claytables Antiques Curios and Collectibles on Duthy Street at Unley. This antique store is run by Suzanne and Clayton Tregilgas. Both Sue and Clayton are avid collectors so they know what they're looking for when it comes to sourcing old stuff. Their Duthy Street store is filled with all sorts of antiques and you can find almost anything there. I saw a vintage trike, a rather funky vintage ladies hat, old glass jugs, chairs, plates, glasses, toys, lamps, picture frames, crockery ... phew the list goes on and on. My one word of advice is when you visit, is to make sure you give yourself plenty of time to have a good look through the entire store because it does take time to look at everything properly. Sue Claytables Antiques also specialise in collecting old Lego with a range of classic Lego for sale. Any lego sourced by Sue is usually built first before its put on display. Go and have a look through the shop if you're in the market for old bits and bobs.

Antiquing anyone? There is nothing I like more than to spend my spare time dropping into musky…read morestores looking at old furniture and other odd treasures. Maybe even squeeze in some time to pluck my nose hairs......no, I actually enjoy that.....hurts like hell but sure is satisfying! Anyways, not the biggest fan of most Antique stores, though I do like the ones that hide random things of interest, which is what I found with Sueclaytables. I particularly like the owners obsession with Lego, I'm a space ship builder myself! There is a lot to check out, so if you are looking for a quirky bit of old school appeal the store is worth checking out.

A store and restoration workshop in one, you can't go past this place for beautiful pre-loved…read morepieces. Staff are lovely to chat too. They're most know for their Victorian Era and French Style gilded mirrors. A great place to browse if you're looking for that something special for your new living space.

This antique store has some really nice furniture for not too expensive a price, so that's all…read morefine... The one thing that creeped me out about this store was the man who owned it (I'm guessing it was Peter Stapleton). He just sat in his chair and stared at everyone who walked in, with constant eye contact. I always feel weird when I walk into antique stores because I feel like the owners don't trust me, being a young person, and wondering why I'm looking at expensive items I could never afford, so the eye contact from this man didn't help. It also didn't help when he almost yelled at me for having my phone out (I was just replying to a message... not taking photos), but I understand that rules are rules. All in all, I wouldn't go back, though they have some pretty nice things.

Wow. I've been into some unfriendly shops before, but this one takes the biscuit. No music, no…read morefriendly greeting, just obvious utter distrust and paranoia that I was taking photographs to bring in burglars. Yikes. Actually considered buying an item, but with that level of creepy surveillance and awful service I just decided I didn't need it that badly. Sad really, they have some beautiful timber items. Just be prepared to be seen as a petty criminal if you're young and not wearing your fanciest outfit.