Okay I have a confession to make, sshh, don't tell anyone. I am a closet home magazine addict…read more Every week I stealthily pop into a newsagent ( never the same one) and buy an Ideal Home or a 25 Beautiful Homes or a Country Living. Possibly I have an interior designer inside me begging to be get out or maybe my Gemini tendencies towards constant change include wanting to repeatedly evolve my house as well. Whatever it is, if I see some interesting wallpaper or fabric then I have to stop and check it out. Cross Interiors is a soft furnishings shop owned by the warm and approachable Gill. She focuses on the more designer and classic brands such as Harlequin, Farrow and Ball, Sia, Romo, Jane Churchill etc and this shop is a miniature John Lewis but with a personal touch you can never get in a large department store. Gill's attention is squarely on you as you explain just what you want. This lady must have biceps of steel as she deftly lifts the huge sample books which would have required me and at least two other people to carry. In fact, this shop is CRAMMED with large sample books and you do not know where to begin. Thankfully Gill knows which brands to focus on when you explain your needs to her. Cross Interiors sells curtain poles, fillials, carpets, and it calls itself a "design consultation" business which is an interior design made to measure service for the likes of you and me. There are sumptuous cushions, wrought iron signs saying "love" and cute cupcake photo-frames amongst the pieces of curtain material. if you have an idea in mind for your home, this is certainly a place in which it will become a reality.

I can't get enough of stores like this. I don't know whether its name refers to the customers who…read moreare drawn in by the unusual items in the window or the buyers who trawl the world to bring them to the high street, but either way, Moth offers some of the most unique gifts you can buy in Didsbury. I've only bought a candle in here before, but if I had the money I would have bought a whole lot more. From vases, jewellery, mirrors, lamps, art, vintage furniture, there is at least one thing in here that every person who walks through the door finds themselves needing. The owner doesn't snoop around you either, which makes the whole experience very enjoyable. I always find it hard to leave!

Moth is about style and simplicity. Inside it's all muted greys and creams, with low benches full…read moreof beautiful gifts and trinkets for the home. Mirrors, candles and candle holders share space with lamps, ceramics and tableware. There's a range of toiletries from Provence; their understated bottles and packaging complementing the store's décor. Then unexpectedly under one of the benches is a basket of hand knitted baby shoes. This shop is just perfect for rummaging, whether you're looking for a gift or something for your home. Prices are quite reasonable, considering the store's address.

So I fell a little bit in love with this boutique shop, it's tucked away down a side street which…read morewe would never have found if it hadn't been for my trusty Yelp app! Filled with a gorgeous array of house interior and gifts, I felt like I'd fallen into my dream home - sure a slightly cluttered home but definitely a home filled with everything I would want I could ever want and dream of! They have vintage furniture, mugs, tea coasters, beautiful photo frames, CLOCKS (I love clocks), rugs, paintings, cutlery - pretty much all those hidden touches many homes miss and all at reasonable prices. The highlight for me was definitely the large blue clock - I WILL have that in my house one day (or one very similar) just beautiful and only £80!! If you're in the area please do take a time to look around this wonderful shop, I promise you it'll be worth your while and you will leave with something truly special and unique be it for yourself of someone you love!

Every time I walk down Burton Road, I and whoever I am with, have to 'nip' in to see David Gavin's…read morenew stock. More often than not, we leave with a new purchase, of which we're always delighted with. David Gavin Interiors has also supplied me with numberous roles of bespoke wall paper which is frequently complimented in my house (despite being 3 years old!). I would definitely recommend this interior shop, especially in the run up to Christmas for pressies, furniture or decorations. I also think Matt should organise a mulled wine and mince pie shopping night for his special customers... No pressure and don't forget Mum and I!! :)

This is a beautiful shop selling revamped antique and vintage furniture. I spotted a 1920s…read morereupholstered sofa in the window that was just £375. It had been sold of course and was presumably waiting for its owner to come and collect it. The store stocks antique furniture, most of which is downstairs in the basement in various states of repair. The idea is that you choose your furniture and then look through their extensive pattern books for fabric. The furniture repaired, reupholstered and ready for you to collect. They can also reupholster your own furniture and provide bespoke curtains to match. Or you can go for the whole shebang and opt for a full interior design service.

This place is amazing, you literally have anything you could possibly want for your home in one…read moreplace - and better yet it's really well priced. I've been to Dunelm countless times for all kinds of things from kitchenware (saucepans/frying pans) to bedroom decorations (wallpaper, rugs) and it is pretty much my one stop shop. My visits recently are mainly for coffee related products (new cups, ceramic jugs etc) as I am desperately trying to become a coffee whizz in my spare time, and each time I leave happy and excited to return home and try out my new creamer - yes I am that sad. Price is probably my favourite thing about Dunelm as even though the stuff is high quality, it never seems to break the bank - a useful aspect when you break pots and glasses on a seemingly daily basis like I do. Through clumsiness not anger I might add :)

This store is huge! It reminds me of a similar store in the states, however, the one in the states…read moredoesn't have a cafe inside. Yes, this Dunelm Mill has a cafe inside and it looks quite nice! Instead of aisles, the store is set up with the main aisle leading around the whole store... almost like IKEA, but not quite a maze like IKEA. They have loads of bedding, bath, kitchen, and decor items. I was quite impressed with the kitchen area, which I may have spent a lot of time in taking a look at all of the great gadgets and utensils I might need... or just plain want. This store has been great for our needs as far as setting up my boyfriend's new apartment. We even got some great, fluffy and cozy bath robes. Some items are quite inexpensive, but I couldn't find a "clearance" area (yes, I like to scout out the deals). There is a furniture area at the back of the store near the cafe, but it did look quite bare and it didn't look like there was a huge selection of furniture. It looked like the furniture selection was limited to tables and dressers. Overall it provides a lot of selection for great value and saves you from having to go to a number of different stores to decorate and furnish your home.

Dunelm in Radcliffe is a huge emporium of soft furnishings, fabrics and everything you need to get…read moregoing on a textiles project. I first came here with a few friends for out GCSE Textiles final project: I was making an African inspired handbag and belt, one girl was making a Japanese kimono and the third a children's play cloak, mysteriously her size with Snow White type flowers on one side and Lord of the Rings spookiness on the other. The staff are so helpful when you are deciding between fabrics, and having them measured out. They also stock thread, wool and tools for applique and printing onto fabrics. A one stop shop that is worth trekking for.

It's a chain. And it appears as such it has everything you need. But with a capital B you find it…read moreif you go when it first opens otherwise it's just a mess with small children running off with cushions. Also I find that it's actually quite warm in there so it can be a bit uncomfortable !

My daily walking commute takes me past Ferrious but with my Yelp days going strong, I decide to be…read moreinquisitive and take a step inside. It's in an odd place I always wonder. A sleek, chic, show house type furniture store on Whitworth Street West, with nothing but estate agents around. Located under the arches, it's location is pretty different and a great place to wander on in. Established in 1996, Ferrious has a great portfolio of fans including the Home Office and Chelsea Football Club. Ferrious prides itself on showcasing works from quality, innovative companies. I don't know a lot about domestic interiors but it sure looks and feels very exquisite in taste.

Ferrious is housed under the arches in a large space that showcases its futuristic furniture…read moreperfectly. They have some incredible pieces here, large, marsh-mallow sofas, oversized doughnut chairs, clean kitchens and sleek, modern lighting. They stock some of the most innovative brands in home design: Paula Lenti, Moroso and Marset. If you have a down town warehouse apartment, practically anything you purchase in here will look incredible in it. Of course, nothing comes cheap in here but if being individual means a lot to you then there's nothing for it: get out your credit card.

Ages and ages ago when I was a very little girl, long before the concept of soft play areas, Disney…read morePixar at the Odeon or Laser Quest, my mother considered it a day out, nay, an actual TREAT to drag me around a homeware shop for hours on end whilst she searched for the right net curtains. Such abuse left such deep mental scars that, in later years, any glimpse of a "soft furnishing" department brought on a cold sweat. My phobia has long since been cured and indeed, I now consider myself a connosseur of interior design, as I pour over house mags, make mood boards and revel in shops which specialise in making my home beautylicious. So, to Dunelm Mill I headed today to indulge my passion and laugh at little children being dragged there by their mums. It ain't the prettiest shop, it has basic displays and is akin to a homeware hypermarket, but this shop has everything you need and more. Fantastic quality bedding, scrumptious cushions and bone china sit alongside dodgy fake flowers, scented candles and funky blinds. On the upper level resides the haberdashers selling gorgeous fabrics, voiles and oilcloths. There is also a cafe for you to take the weight off your feet- my how homeware stores have evolved! The only downside here is the service, you can rarely find a staff member in this gargantuan place and paying for goods at the till can be a time consuming full-time occupation. On the plus side though, prices are reasonable and you will leave with at least 3 items you don't need but could not resist buying.

This is a large store, full of loads of household goods. They have a huge array of bedding…read moreeverything from full bed sets down to single items. Loads of fabrics and colours are always in stock. They have loads of duvets with samples of each one so you can see exactly what you are buying. The same applies for pillows. This is a great idea as it minimises the risk of buying something unsuitable. Also on the ground floor there are loads of towels, again in loads of sizes and colours. Lamps and lighting, Curtains(ready made), rugs and mats, storage, wall art, mirrors & prints, They also have candles, dried flowers,other arty stuff, cutlery(both in sets and individually) Loads of baking trays, and enough cups, glasses plates etc to kit out a small village!!!! They also have quite a lot of seasonal stuff they are full of Christmas stuff at the moment(they have some lovely things in right now) Upstairs they sell fabrics You can have made to measure curtains in the fabric of your choice. They also have loads of craft type fabric(fun furs etc) and various sundries(needles, trimmings etc) There is also a coffee shop on the first floor. Always smells ok but haven't been so can't comment. Dunelm Mill is worth a look they regularly have interesting things in and it is a good place to have a browse in.