The first thing to say about the Nomad's Tent is that it is surprising. Down an unremarkable side…read morestreet, in the largely featureless area between the Commonwealth Pool and the Pleasance, you don't expect to suddenly stumble across a huge emporium of rare and exotic artefacts from around the world. When I first came here, I almost thought it must be some kind of mirage, and half suspected that it would have disappeared into thin air the next time I passed by. Subsequent visits have reassured me that the place is perfectly real. Stepping inside is like stepping out of Scotland into another, opulent realm where every inch of space is covered with priceless Turkish carpets, Ming vases, lacquered cabinets, Russian icon paintings, luxurious wall hangings and ceremonial costumes from nomadic tribes. I have no idea where the owner of this shop acquires all these amazing items, nor who comes to this out of the way shop to buy them, but I do know that you can spend hours marvelling at what is in here. Although, unless you happen to be a wealthy aristocrat looking to furnish a palace, or some other extravagant moneyed-up type, you'll probably, like me, limit yourself to window shopping.

Absolutely fantastic little hidden gem…read more Entrusted my Persian rug to them to have loops attached so I could wall mount it. The work was carried out to a high standard and the service was great. Really personable and knowledgeable staff. Good value and fabulous expediency. Would definitely use again for maintenance.

One of the most beautiful stores you'll ever see. It is just…read morelike the Anthro.s in the States: colorful, original, and tempting! Unfortunately I thought it was to expensive there, so to come here where the prices are the same, just in pounds (as in, an 80 USD skirt is 80 GBP) it's crushingly expensive. I will save my pennies and scour sale racks. Still, I walk through Anthropologie just to feel inspired.

She and I, we have a strange friendship. She invites me into her home on occasion - she never comes…read moreto mine. Each time, I am quietened. For example, I will pick up a cushion, and she will casually mention its value. I'll quickly replace it, blushing. "Sorry," I say. "I'm just... it's really pretty." She smiles - laughs actually - not a tinkling, vanishing laugh, but a proper laugh full of sparkle and fun. "It's fine," she says, with a wink. But I've put the cushion back too straight. This is not a house of straightness. As she bends to re-skew it, back to the perfect angle, just so, I notice the way her dress falls. It's elegant. It's quirky. It's colourful. Oh, for a dress like that. The coffee table is laden with enormous books: Berlin. Photography. Seasonal Pies. Spaces... Spaces? They're beautiful, and they don't look like they've ever been opened. They are there to be on the table. The table, likewise, is there to bear their unread weight. A candle in a tin, too, wide, with three wicks, which have never been lit; a fresh, fruity aroma hovers around it all the same. I turn to comment on the beautiful smell but she's pulling on a patchwork apron over her beautiful dress. It messes up her hair a little bit, improves it somehow. "Let's make a cake!" she laughs - that laugh again - and pulls me out into the hall by my arm, starting to make for the kitchen. I wonder vaguely if she ought not to perhaps try making one of the Seasonal Pies instead. I nearly trip over a padded fabric doorstop on my way out, a paisley and polka-dot letter "A". Ah. Her name stops doors from closing. Of course. "I'm - I'm sorry," I stammer, un-straightening the A, checking it for a mark where I've kicked it. No. Thank goodness. "Actually, I - I have to be heading off again pretty soon." I seem in danger of knocking everything, and yet there's so much room here. Spaces. "But you never stay!" she cries, with a playful pout. "I've got these pecans to use up, you know..." "No, really, sorry, I know, ha. Um." I shrug. I'm trying now not to be standing on the rug. Has anyone ever stood on this rug? She probably stands slightly above it. "Oh, spoilsport," she grins. "Ok, off you go then. See you next time, Cressida!" "Thanks. Bye. Thanks. Bye, Anthropologie." She waves to me from the door, an embroidered oven glove on her hand, as I walk out into the street, holding nothing in mine. Already I regret leaving - already I want to go back in - already I will visit her again. I turn to wave back, but the door has closed.

I'm going out on a limb here and propose that everyone who visits a this shop, enjoys flinging…read morethemselves up against the big rolls. I think this is perfectly reasonable, you have to lay down on carpets sometimes, shouldn't we be able to test how that feels? The sales assistant didn't think so and nearly kicked me out. This place has a great variety of carpets, from the tacky stuff that's been on your Gran floor for 20 years to modern and tasteful alternatives. It's cheap too!

On Wednesday 11/08 14:10 - 2 of the fitting team (Jerry and Aaron) from Edinburgh flooring and…read morecarpet warehouse were working in my neighbour and close friend's flat. When I arrived home for my lunch break I was greeted by a man who was accusing me of scratching his van even though I had just arrived on the street from work. I believe he saw a white scratch on my bumper which was caused months prior by a van that parks on our street. I explained to the man that I did not bump his van and that our street was notorious for these sort of dents due to people double parking. He angrily muttered something under his breath as I walked away. After 20 mins of being home I went back to work and was greeted with the a 3 foot key scratch to the bonnet of my car. I contacted my neighbour who was working from home and at this point was nervous that this man was now in her home completing work. She has mentioned that she did not feel safe. Our entire communal group were shocked and were just as nervous that someone who would do something like this has access to our building. This incident has made me feel completely unsafe in my home and I am absolutely torn up that someone would do this in revenge with absolutely no indication that it was myself who bumped his van, apart from a misguided hunch. I think it is absolutely awful. I would also be surprised if people would want to work with a comp[any that would deliberately vandalise a neighbours property and put an entire community of residents on edge. I don't believe this man knew that I was so close with my neighbour. He definitely didn't think I would be given the name of this company or that his actions would ever get back to him. Horrible, Horrible experience which has left us all feeling unsafe.

This a small specialty shop carrying Annie Sloan paint, doing Annie Sloan workshops, and possibly…read moredrinking Annie Sloan koolaid. They sell furniture that has been painted with the aforementioned brand, lovely pieces for good prices. The owner can give you all kinds of tips on using the paint, ideas for how to wax or varnish, color tips, and possibly anything else you might need to know about painting. Tip: don't buy the brand brushes, which you wouldn't once you discovered the price tag. They have a few other home items, pillows and rugs, cute items that are sometimes well priced and in the instance of the rug that caught my eye (£500) a tad over my budget but likely handmade and quality and worth it. Good shop.

You know how sometimes on a Wednesday you just really have the urge to buy a rug? You simply can't…read morewait until Thursday and you can't go on Tuesday because that's the day you bath the cat? If you are this person then The Rug Rooms will disappoint I'm afraid as they are closed on a Wednesday. However if you are happy to buy your rugs on other days then The Rug Rooms is a good place to go. They have rugs from all over the world ranging from modern designs to the more traditional. They also specialise in rugs of the gigantic kind and you can even arrange a home consultation where a specialist will come to your house and discuss you need of massive rugs. Customisation seems to be in these days so if your looking for something a little bit unique then you can also design your own rug at The Rug Rooms! What more do you want? To be able to go in on a Wednesday? Tough!

I think the name says it all really, its a room, with like rugs in it and…read more stuff. Apart from the obvious, namely rugs, this place offers a wee bit of calm just off the hustle and bustle of great western road. Located in a strange old building with loads of period features and its fair share of character, the rug rooms has tons o rugs and floor furnishings (another term for rugs) differing in style and price. Keep in mind this ain't no IKEA when looking at the prices, and always be prepared to grab someone if you have any question's, they really are quite nice.....if only they incorporated this joint with a coffee spot.....maybe a business plan in the making, rugs and coffee.....ruffee....cugs.....ok , enough, if you want a rug give this place a visit.

Worst customer service I've ever experienced. Don't ship internally within stores for pickup, in…read moreaddition to having extremely poor options for home shipping; in fact, no items I've purchased online have ever been available for home shipping.

If you hate the crowds in Ikea or like things a little more traditional, then head here. I've…read morebought cushions, bedding, curtains, blinds and made-to-measure and have always been delighted. The quality and prices are excellent, very helpful staff and a great stock selection. They also have a limited haberdashery department upstairs which is really handy. Just one wee bit of advice, if you order something and are waiting for a stock delivery, keep calling because they sometimes forget to call you when the delivery arrives.