If money was no object, Weekend Trader would be my number one stop for furniture and home decor…read more The new location looks like it's come straight of the pages of Architectural Digest. Lots of clean lines, raw metal, marble and rich fabrics. I am particularly taken with their brass anglepoise lamp, which I am saving my pennies for. I'm also a fan of their horse prints, which, dare I say it, are similar to the ones in St Clements. Slowly, as I start to buy pieces for the new house that I plan to cherish for a long time, I predict there trips to Weekend Trader will become more frequent, even if it's only to dream...

This is one of my favorite stores to visit for interior inspiration. Tesori has elegant products…read moredirectly imported from Europe hand selected by the owners and the store layout and window displays are like something out of an interiors magazine. Tesori has beautiful accent pieces from chandeliers to vases as well as mirrors and art work. There is a large range of kitchen staples such as glass storage jars and an outdoor area which has vintage looking lanterns and other interesting pieces. There is always something new in store so best to check in often as there are small quantities or often one off pieces that may be gone if you don't snap them up straight away.

My wife and I have enjoyed many lovely hours wondering through this store and we have brought some…read morebeautiful French antiques and other very unique pieces which has added that extra special something to our home. The store owners are friendly, helpful and offer excellent advice. This is our favourite store!

'Nest' is an urban, chic, contemporary brand that oozes style. If you haven't ventured to 'Nest'…read moreyet - go now! They offer (Winter) wool 'moss' (dark grey/light grey/indigo) blankets for $299, charcoal/duckegg/seafoam linen sheeting and duvet covers from $59 (pillowcases)... Stunning. I adore the marble enamelware in grey that is both practical and stylish. There is a bargain table of discontinued product (by the entrance) which is worth looking at... From $6 for duck egg facecloths and other essentials. You are left to your own devices to browse and do as you please. It would have been an exceptional experience if the staff interacted with me about the product! Maybe next time?

I was going to go to the Newmarket store for a few things, but I was told this one had a larger…read moredisplay of stock. It's in a warehouse, not a storefront, with easy parking outside. Brimming with beautiful bed linen, home decor and tableware, I was easily able to make my choices. Must bring my daughter here, there's loads of things that would appeal to both of us. Love the blush pillow, copper baskets, wooden hooks and the classic white risotto bowls for only $8. Great city find.

Xia is a really great store, and as far as I know, reasonably unique in Auckland. They sell a big…read morerange of "Chinese" items here, from ornately carved wooden day beds through to rice paper parasols through to kites through to little notebooks. It's a great place to go to if you're looking for something specific for your home, or on the other hand, if you just want to buy something that's a little different from the norm. With such a range of stock, obviously some things have a much bigger price tag than others, but it all seems reasonably priced. The owner is really friendly and has been more than willing to help out when we've approached him about hiring furniture for events.

Great shop, well priced and has a great selection of Chinese dresses (Cheong Sam) as well as other…read moregifts. Owner is very friendly!

Ponsonby road is an altogether dangerous thing, and with shops like Zoo Warehouse as tenants you…read morecan see why! It's a place where wallets come to die, die hard in fact. Like many of my discoveries in Auckland, I happened on this place rather by chance. I'm currently furniture/ knick knack shopping for my poor little empty flat so this store was a godsend. There are some really beautiful pieces, one set of drawers In particular which I narrowly missed out on! Ah regret! I did purchase a really fantastic wall hanging for my bedroom the last time I was in there however, and at $180 I thought it was pretty much a bargain, considering the size and quality of it any rate. If you have to save your pennies to purchase one of these individually crafted and lovingly restored pieces I suggest starting now as they go quick.

What an awesome shop! This is a collection of quirky, fun and interesting pieces of furniture and…read morehome decor items that the owner sources from around the world. The pieces are a mix of French and, Asian and Bohemian, you'll find French chairs upholstered with bright coloured fabrics, Asian styled cabinets in soft duck egg blue with an almost tribal feel to them. They also have a great range of little wood stools and other interesting occasional pieces of furniture that would make for an interesting addition to your place. Home decor items include anything from large glass jars, vessels, cake domes and candles. It is a great place to come for gifts too and with the prices ranging from $20 to $2000, I also think very good pricing. They have some draws and cabinets that I would say are comparable to what Red Current stock but at almost half the price. The layout of the store is really funky too, organised chaos, a great store, something that little bit different.

I love Collected. It is possibly one of my favourite shops in terms of homewares, gifts and knick…read moreknacks. Plus everything is super bright that you'll just want to buy the whole shop! They stock Lindi King bracelets (which are all bright colours and come with different charms), wall art, gift cards, candles, home aromatherapy perfumes (the skull ones are amazing), children's gifts and toys, cushions, lampshades, and so much more! I love coming here when I need to buy presents for friends and family, plus staff are always super friendly and helpful and they offer colourful gift wrapping too!

I only just discovered this shop today and it was by accident! They are in the Bloc Building on…read moreNormanby Road (just across the road from the Normanby hotel). On the ground level is the Citta Design shop and then if you go upstairs you'll find the Collected. What a find it is! I wanted so much in the shop. And the really good part is there was some really nice stuff for around $20 or less such as dinner plates, various knick knacks, candles and other stuff made of awesome. There was so much I wanted to purchase. So once I have a bit more cash in the bank, I will definitely be back (come on pay day)!

If I could live at Citta Design best believe I would! I love the sale prices they have there…read moreespecially the bags. The bags range from picnic bags to those funky basket bags. I have bought at least three bags from there and they have all being under $30. Other than the bags the bath robes there are those thick white fluffy ones that you get in those lovely spas! I wear mine all the time, when I am lounging around at home. My mum and I always go to Citta outlet to get a few things for the bathroom. The selection is always tasteful and classy with modern designs. We bought my fave wine glasses here and tea towels for the kitchen amongst other things.

Citta is every home lover's dream. In fact, I don't own a home and it's still one of my favourite…read morehome decor shops. French provincial furnishings, bedding and lovely knick-knacks, Citta inspires grand designs and grand ideas for redecorating! Whether you are looking for a nice throw for your couch or bed, plush towels, elegant chests and coffee tables or a fabulous centrepiece, Citta will have you well and truly covered. Everything in the store has a really fresh, innovative feel about it. You can just imagine how beautiful the items would be in your own home, however it's also a great place to buy gifts for others. Mothers and in-laws in particular would love anything Citta has to offer. The outlet store makes Citta products very affordable, while maintaining a really high standard of quality. Highly recommended!

Wah Lee is such a delightful oriental emporium…read more They stock all sorts from teapots, ceramics, and paper lanterns, to beaded slippers and jasmine tea just to name a few. I really enjoy wandering through the store and stocking up on something different and quirky every visit. I have been to San Francisco and it reminded me of a few stores I had seen while shopping in China Town. I love that they have a real mix of products not just one type you have a vast variety! During Guy Fawkes celebrations they are mega popular from 2nd-5th of November when then sell a few popular brands of fireworks. The tea pots and Chinese vases are my fave at the store they have some really beautiful designs that compliment the home and kitchen. Worth a stop in to funk up the flat, home or grab some cool gifts for friends.

Fireworks! Now that…read moreI've got your attention, fireworks!!! And whatever else Wah Lee sell. Actually quite a bit, some of it quite cool, but as a teenager growing up in Auckland, and as an adult, bitterly refusing to grow up in Auckland, for me Wah Lee has always been about the fireworks. Not as cheap as the Warehouse MegaBox, or those silver bags you get from the supermarket, but this is just the same as how a rare steak is usually a bit more expensive than white bread dipped in pig anuses. It cost more because it's better. What you get here are quality, imported Chinese fireworks, and they shit all over the rubbish you get anywhere else. Short of getting your pyrotechnics licence and making your own, this is about the best way to get good, big, entertaining fireworks. Side note: a friend of mine got her pyrotechnic licence, and it was an arduous and expensive process. Better to just come to Wah Lee, I reckon.

Flying Saucers is such a cool little gift store. In the midst of all the crap you can buy in a mall…read moreit's a place with really high quality novelty gifts and some nice jewelry too. But it does come with a price. It's quite an expensive store and even things that are kind of disposable (like novelty bachelorette/bachelor night stuff etc) are sold at a premium price. But it's actually one of the very few places where you can find different, fun stuff. I really like their greeting cards too, there are quite a few funny novelty ones and they're always a bit of a laugh to look through. If you're trying to find a fun gift for someone who's hard to shop for or one of those people who kind of have everything they need, this is the shop to go to.