I didn't get the sense that this shop is one of those ones people go to to get just any old bit of…read morefurniture to furnish their new flat or house. This is much more for those who are taking their time over decorating their house and want specific vintage pieces. The owner of this shop has clearly chosen each piece with equal care and although the furniture is stacked in quite a haphazard and informal way you can see they're all individual and quality pieces. The low lamp lighting adds to this warm atmosphere and casts a flattering light on the pieces. There seems to be a particular niche for weathered furniture in here, you'll be likely to come across pastel blue chairs with chipped paint and leather trunks with rubbed edges. There are more stylized things on offer too, like old tea tins for quirky storage and old fishing nets for an unusual wall decoration! Everything is imbued with such a history I couldn't help but love this place!

We were pleasantly surprised to find this huge nursery! You'll be greeted with rows upon rows of…read morefresh herb garden and fragrant flowers. They've dotted the whole place with fountains so there's always the relaxing sound of flowing water in the background. The staff members are quite knowledgable and are happy to share tips. I think most of them are passionate green-fingers too! Make sure you sign up for membership. You'll get some points and special discounts. It's only five bucks and you get equivalent amounts in vouchers anyway.

All power to the grandmas, mums, dads, grandpas, dogs, newlyweds, bored teenagers, and lost…read morechildren who end up at this place. All power to them all, and their homegrown tomatoes and their pansy window flower pots. This place reminds me that people LOVE their plants, and are happy to spend a weekend hunting for a car space in a hot parking lot, just to get themselves some green, and some big bags of over-fed soil. Flower Power is big, crowded and hard to wheel a trolley around in. But it does its best to offer EVERYTHING, and in that respect it does a more convincing job than Bunnings (at least in terms of plants, not so much in terms of pots and gardening accessories). My gripe is that it's not cheap at all, even though going to a big warehouse makes you feel like you're getting a good deal - but the price tags tell another story. The health of the plants is generally quite good, though. The staff seem quite knowledgable but generally you will be left alone to wander (for hours, if you like), in this sprawling place.

I seem to be drawn back to this corner of Artarmon for all sorts of odd reasons - it's home to an…read moremixed collection of warehouses and distributors that need space. Sure enough, Dickson Avenue has a sizeable showroom, with attention drawn via a display of candy coloured plastic wicker outdoor chairs on the sidewalk. It's a good source of outdoor furniture - both the plastic weave stuff and more traditional teak. Staff are attentive and interested - they want to chat through your needs at length and propose alternatives and ideas, which is useful if you're not set on a certain path. Lead times are quite long - and can stretch out. Despite enjoying the shopping experience here, we actually bought elsewhere, though paid considerably more than we would have at Dickson Avenue - just a choice we made in favour of higher quality and durability, though Dickson's products were good value for money.

From the owner: Dickson Avenue is proud to bring you the high quality teak and woven outdoor furniture and indoor…read morefurniture. All our outdoor and indoor furniture are quality guaranteed with affordable prices. Dickson Avenue is based in Artarmon, Sydney.

You know those home stores that you walk into and think 'I wish this was my home' or 'I want that,…read morethat, that, that, that and that'. I don't do that very often, mainly because I've had to cull my hording persona off in order to travel and move about a lot. But this place - Eco Outdoor - gets my into the 'I want' frame of mind again. I feel comfortable saying that too, I think it's because this place is of the eco conscious class. The people behind Eco Outdoor come from a landscape design and construction background. Quality, natural and simplicity are two word that come to mind when I see their stuff. Their focus is walling, flooring and furniture. The showrooms and website give you a good idea of what they have and what combinations go well together but unless you're a designer yourself I'd ask one of their store designers for advice.

It would only make sense that one's outdoor furniture be as friendly as possible to our…read moreenvironment. After all, the purpose of outdoor furniture is to soak up the nature around us. At Eco Outdoor, not only do they purvey sustainable furniture, but also eco-friendly options for walling and flooring. When it comes to walling, this store has a remarkable selection of stone facades that are environmentally friendly and excellent at insulation. There are stone walls that recall the style of Provençal French, rural Spanish, and modern Australian architecture. The same goes for flooring, which can be constructed from a variety of beautiful stones and cotto tiles. Eco Outdoor sells everything you need for your patio. From chairs and tables to day beds and even beanbags, this furniture is unobtrusive and practical. I really love Eco Outdoor's main concept. They basically strive to make an authentic connection between man's construction and the natural raw materials found in the surrounding landscape. This organic style is essential to maintaining the integrity of the natural scene. As humans, we all live among nature and should always put some effort to minimize our footprint.

I have been purchasing my furniture from Shaker Furniture since 2000. Charles (the designer) helps…read moreyou design your furniture to the style and measurements to your home. There are narrow spaces in my home and I need custom made pieces that are measured to fit. All my pieces from Shaker have lasted over 10 years. I am glad I invested in quality. The attention to detail, the joinery and craftsman is exceptional. I love intentional (even slow) craftsmanship, the beauty of natural wood grain and solid timber. After you purchase from Shaker, you'll never go back to exported furniture from overseas- the timber and quality is not the same. Call them for an appointment!

We have been returning customers of Shaker for over 10 years due to their quality, craftsmanship,…read moreand custom design. None of this cheap crap like IKEA, where it will be out on the street within a few weeks. Well worth the investment!