The Kitchen Shop in Lichfield is a one stop shop for anybody who has a passion for cooking. The…read moresheer variety of quality items is very impressive. From chopping boards to casserole dishes, aprons to speciality knives, flip-top bins to saucepans, the Kitchen Shop pretty much has it all. It also has fascinating array of gadgets like timers, bean cutters, novelty egg cups etc. The staff are knowledgeable and keen to help too. Overall a must visit, when we come to Lichfield, even sometimes just to browse, to see if there is a gadget we don't own!

The Kitchen shop is handy for kitchen tools and gadgets, they sell a large range and is on two…read morelevels I think (not that i've been upstairs) They sell all sorts of household items. It is one of my favourite shops in Lichfield. I wouldn't have called it a kitchen planners though, its just a shop as far as I know!

Livsstil is one of my favourite stores in Birmingham. Located in the Minories arcade, just by the…read morePriory Courts, you may think it is often overlooked but it must be popular to have survived so long. Now I don't even bake that much really but I could easily spend an hour or so and a few hundred quid in Livsstil; They have the nicest cookware in Birmingham; miles better than TK Maxx and House of Fraser, which are my second and third choices for anything cookery related. From bakeware to salt and pepper shakers, kitchen scales to cute aprons, professional knives to electrical items; Livsstil really do have it all. Last time I visited they had the cutest cupcake shaped kitchen timer and some lovely brightly coloured, rubber spatulas. I'm a real sucker for vintage looking kitchen items and they have plenty of those to go around too. Livsstil have got it down to a tee with a real mix of functional, modern items, shabby chic signage, shelving and rustic, cutesy items. Everything for everyone. It's a one stop shop for chefs and enthusiasts; the only thing that could make it better would be a bakery, butchers and green grocer next door. Seriously. Go visit!

Ooh I love this shop - this despite me being useless at baking (I can still remember sobbing into a…read morebatch of wholemeal rolls that refused to rise in Home Economics) and having an almost pathological hatred of cupcakes. The thing is this shop sells so much pretty, yet practical stuff - espresso makers, salt and pepper mills, wooden spoons, towels etc - I know it shouldn't matter what this kind of thing looks like, as long as it's functional but sometimes you want something that looks nice too. Other things you can purchase here are nice mugs, aprons (does anyone apart from my Mom wear an apron any more?) and heartwarming (for someone like me who is useless at making scones but can whip up a mean gin and tonic) things you can make ice-cubes in. It's not that expensive - say compared to Debenhams or the chintzier retailers and the staff are nice.

I love their meatballs with chips n cranberry. I have gone there just to eat lol but I always end…read moreup looking around the store snd buying something I didn't really need lol Great if you need some inspiration to brighten up your home. But back to the cafe. I was pleasantly surprised when I had dessert OMG! I love the tart I had, very nutty, wished I could remember what it was called cos I think they sell them in the food store bit. I did get a photo and trust me ....it was delicious!

Who loves a trip to IKEA? THIS GAL!…read more I am going to work on the idea that you haven't ever been to IKEA before and give you the full roundup of the fun that awaits you on your first trip... 1) Parking. Parking at IKEA is a nightmare, especially if you go on a weekend. As a top tip; get there for opening. You should be able to find a space relatively easily and don't have to play the "round and around" the car park game. 2) Confusion. Don't get confused! Yes, a lot of stuff is pre-laid out into rooms as little slices of an ideal home, but you can still get the goods which are on displayu... that just comes later! 3) Bags. I would thoroughly recommend taking yourself some large bags from home if you want to avoid buying their gigantic "builders sand" style carriers. If you are purchasing furniture (which is another battle we will come on to), it comes in a box which you can pop straight into your car. If you are buying bigs and pieces, take a bag or two with you. 4) Small Items/linen/kitchen goods. Right... Don't panic about not finding what you want when you are walking around the room layouts... Everything becomes clear when you get to the marketplace. These areas are split into bedroom, storage, kitchen, bathroom and other areas, so if you're looking for something from a particular room layout you can find it here. 5) Furniture (the biggie). After the marketplace is the warehouse. This can be really daunting but the staff will be happy to point you in the right direction if you have noted down the name of the item you want. Be warned, some of the boxes will be very heavy (remember to bend with your knees). Last but not least... Food! There is a cafe and fast food stand in this IKEA store where you can buy everything from cute Swedish cakes to hotdogs (for a bargain £1). If you have an IKEA family card, you can claim a free coffee and tea in the week too! In summary... A first trip to IKEA can be stressful, but the staff are helpful and the prices are great for the product choice. Take a good look around as you never know what you might find (it's impossible to do the whole store in less than an hour) and don't forget that you can visit their little food shop at the end! This stocks a great range of Cider, frozen food, snacks and cakes!

From the outside of Muji I think its quite hard to work out what kind of shop it actually is....the…read moreclothes in the window give the impression of a fashion retailer but you can clearly see office supplies inside the door. Confused I ventured inside to have a look around. The place is a home and fashion retailer stocking stationary, homeware, bedding and clothing. All of the items in the shop are very well designed and have a very crisp vibe. I like the attention to detail in the shop with the very minimalistic approach to the layout making everything very easy to look at at and make your way around. On a personal note there was a cuckoo clock I saw while inside the shop that I think now has my name on.....it was really special. Ill think twice before going in for a look around again it could be an expensive habit!!

Muji can easily be seen from the ramp as you leave New Street station. Head past Jane Norman (on…read morethe corner) and head up towards Centenary and Muji is located on the right hand side. It's a strange old shop, originating from Japan, their mission statement to develop new simple products at reasonable prices by making the best use of materials while considering environmental issues. They sell stationary, bedding, furniture, and clothes. The stuff they produce is very basic and simple, well made but I find that it's rather expensive. (The last time I looked, dressing gowns were £40). I do have a brother who hates labels and likes simple clothes that are enviromentally friendly so for christmas presents it is always worth a look.

For someone who stirs a coffee with a knife or butters toast with a spoon (washing up issue; not…read morebeing simple), a kitchenware store may not seem like a natural fit. And yet I walk round, intrigued and attracted, thinking 'this is how the humans do it' or 'this is what I'd use if I could grow up and had friends who'd never used a bus'. It's the kind of merchandise - Joseph Joseph, le creuset (almost inexplicably a brand with a presence in this house), Emma Bridgewater - you're likely to see in high-end department stores such as John Lewis or Selfridges. But it all seems quite at home in this smaller shop, bolstered if not affirmed by its wider arts-and-crafts centre setting. Above all, the wares are united by a reminder to make what otherwise may seem daily chores into labours of love; that sense that preparation, let alone eating, should itself be a reward. A browser's dream... even better for a buyer.

Superb tiny tardis which sells not only cookshop basics but also a fantastic range of cake…read moredecorating supplies. The window display is particularly attractive and the colour theme changes regularly. The shop itself is packed with shelving and visiting with small children would be very difficult as there is too much breakable temptation! The staff are very knowledgeable and if you are in a hurry then it's best to ask rather than search yourself. They really do stock an extremely wide range of cooking paraphenalia and are well worth a visit whether you are buying colour co-ordinated cookware for your kitchen or shaped cake tins for a special occasion.

had been warned about unpleasant unhelpful staff. couldn't be further from the truth. a shop packed…read morewith everything the enthusiastic (and not so enthusiastic!) cook could want and very helpful and pleasant staff. great place

Don't go in here without your credit card. This shop has it all and you will get drawn in!! It's…read morelike a feast for the eyes - everywhere you look there is something you want to buy. Every price point covered from £1 to £1000. You will be able to find anything you want for your kitchen in here and things you didn't even know you needed. Love this place.

lovely little shop in the centre of harborough offering a variety of cookwear products. prices…read morerange varies to reach most budgets and a range of kitchen gadgets are present. freshly baked bread is often baking in the shop with little tasters if you arrive at the right time! good selection of retro electricals and coffee machines too a nice shop - but i spend too much money on there on kitchen gadgets that i only use a handful of times.