To my knowledge I only know of two stores on Mui Wo that specialize in Furniture. May Art Furniture…read moreDecoration Co. is the more budget friendly one. It's across the road from my apartment so when I first moved in it only made sense to give the place a visit, after all my home as naked of furniture. I walked into MAFDC with a set budget, eager to see how I could fill my living room and roof. I thought, by judging the stores outside, that I could get a couple of things, a table and set of chairs at least. The phrase, don't judge a book by its cover springs to mind. The store offers a decent standard of furniture with nothing (that I saw) under the $500 apart from the odd chair or stool. It's a long store with leather couches filling along the entire way. On either side the walls are lined with shelfs, cupboards, drawers, and a sign reading "custom made!", which I assume just means adding another 0 to the price for a choice of color. I walked from the entrance to the far end where the counter is and asked about outdoor furniture. The lady behind the counter simply pointed to a catalogue filled with all sorts of things. Primarily I was going for a parasol. They had one going for $650 with an average delivery time of 15 days, I have no idea if that's a good price or not, but I figured I'd need a table to eat on first before worrying about pimping up my rooftop! I asked her about her cheapest table and chairs, or if she had any discounts. She obviously wasn't used to dealing with customers like me and I highly underestimated the standard of the store. I left but promised myself to research the price of parasols... I probably should have put a time limit on that promise.

As an ABC I really appreciate this store as they modernize and update traditional Chinese style…read more clothes and "hipsterize" traditional Chinese prints/items. For those that are familiar with HK pop culture they generally have some hidden gems. I try to get something from here anytime I'm in HK. They have a store at HKG also for those that are just doing a layover.

My husband read about this place while searching for locally manufactured gifts to bring home after…read moreour trip to Hong Kong. The store is beautiful and offers a wide array of different items, from clothing to arts and crafts and jewelry. Everything is made in Hong Kong and we loved the idea of buying something that is not mass-produced. I got some hair tube wraps, a t-shirt and some jewelry: prices are on the expensive end but I got very quality, unique items that I did not see anywhere else during my stay so all in all, it was a good trade.

I've been a regular visitor to HKG for well over 30 years now and the must do's here is eating and…read moreshopping. One of the most fun shopping is done at any of their street markets throughout the city. Li Yuen has been around for as long as I can recall and during my last visit, it was bustling with shoppers and activities. On this visit as I made the familiar turn off Queens road, most of what you could see was dark and shuttered shops. A few small shops still remained open but it was nowhere like the past. All the shops that still remains open was virtually empty with their owners sitting and seemed to be waiting for the customers that come few and far between. This is pretty much the same in many retail around the city as I was informed by locals that new shopping mecca is located just across the border in Shenzhen where prices and selections are much better. Sadly, it doesn't look like things here will improve with the signs of the world economy.

REVIEW #2 Hong Kong…read moreis made of varies different markets that offer an array of different items! Li Yuen Street Market is located in Central area and is a hidden little lane market. Its split between two small markets: Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West. Li Yuen Street East is a cute little hidden Market on the side of Seed Heritage store. These markets are packed with vendors that sell multiple products from purses, clothing, great souvenirs, shoes, and slippers. Sometimes these markets are shortened by the name of "The Lanes of Central". Also in this Lane you will also find a Gong Cha boba spot. Most of the vendors take only cash but there's a vending machine at the end of the market. You can easily miss this Market if you're not paying attention. Just look for the sign that says Li Yuen Street East. HOW TO GET THERE: MTR Central Station, Exit C. Walk along Des Voeux Road Central towards Sheung Wan REVIEWER 200/196

If you're into contemporary, eco-chic furniture, Tree will be your jam…read more They have an outlet in Soho, but if you really want to see their inventory, their flagship store at Horizon Plaza is where it's at! They take up the entire floor, and there's tons to look at. True to their name, they have a lot of wood furniture that uses oak, teak, or walnut; great if you're in the market for a new table, headboard, or TV stand. Their sofas are beautifully designed, and you can definitely find a few that are discounted. I was hoping they'd have some stuff for babies, but no luck; just a small section that catered to older children. When I visited, they had an ongoing sale with lots of pieces going between 20-40% off. As this is in an outlet mall, I'm unsure if this is perpetual, but either way, it's definitely worth a visit to see their full inventory and hopefully get a great price!

Rapee-Living is an interesting store. It specializes in home furniture and decorations, of a…read moredifferent variety. It's great because It offers something other than the typical Ikea or Price Rite choices, products that can make a home unique instead of "oh... yea I was going to buy that in Ikea, but I bought something else in Ikea." Before I moved to Mui Wo I was on the look out for a few things to fill up the new flat. Naturally I wanted to travel as short a distance as possible, which led me to Rapee-Living. It's a small store with a big bed in the middle taking up most of the room. What attracted me most about it was the colorful toys, and small decorations that set it apart. They even had a electronic picture frame/ video frame that I thought was pretty cool. I was not allowed to buy it. We ended up getting a couple of stripy bed sheets, a pair of matching pillows and a little toy that seems to be their mascot. The stuffed toy is everywhere around the shop in different designs and colors but its cute all the same. The prices weren't bad either and I can see myself building up a little collection of those stuffed toys (for my girlfriend, not me!) over time. In general Ikea has everything I need, but not everything I want. It is the shops like Rapee-Living that help add a pinch of spice to an otherwise boring apartment. I've noticed that there are a few other RLs around town and I'd definitely have a look in one should I pass by.

I'm not quite sure why this Homeless has "sidekick" at the end, but either way it's such a lovely…read morelittle shop in CWB. You can find some furniture pieces here (think sideboards, shelves, and small desks), but this store focuses mostly on home decor. There was so much here that I loved, but if I had to narrow it down I was a fan of their lamps, mugs, and leather stuffed animals. I would certainly buy a ton of shit here, but unfortunately I have no space for such luxuries! :( Definitely a great spot to visit if you're looking for contemporary design, quirky decor, or a nice gift for someone.

Aloha Outdoor Furniture is (believe it or not) an outdoor furniture retailer. Located in Horizon…read morePlaza, Ap Lei Chau, they stock a good range of furniture and accessories, mostly made locally in China. The store is large and spacious, with the products sensibly laid out and displayed, and enough room to move around each staged piece. The staff are very attentive and quickly on hand to help, but sometimes a bit too attentive. If I wanted to be followed around everywhere, I'll get a puppy. The products themselves are mostly made in China, but unfortunately, the price does not reflect this, with many of the items pitched around the midway point between the expensive imports, and the cheap Chinese copies. These same items can be bought in a shop 4 floors above for 30% less. And with all Chinese products, they lack the quality and assurances (warranties, returns) of goods made elsewhere. What this store does very well is the Rubbermaid plastic storage solutions. None of the other outdoor furniture stores in Horizon Plaza sell these plastic clip together units (the Garden Gallery gardening store does sell similar), so if this is what you are after, you will probably have to buy here. The Rubbermaid products I am talking about range from wheelie bins and beer coolers, through to storage benches and full size sheds. Look, they're not the nicest looking things in the world (quite frankly they are the warts on the face of your lovely garden), they're not cheap (being imported from the US) but they are practical, and 90% waterproof. For the outdoor seating sets, and tables and chairs, I would probably go elsewhere, but for plastic sheds and storage boxes, this is your place!

Looking for unusual gifts? I thought this place was full of unique, cool, unusual gifts and…read morethings. As noted in some information I saw, the HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Developement Council) mission is to promote creativity, innovation and product excellence. They showcase the newest and best products of Hong Kong designers and brand manufactures. They use the gallery to launch and test market products and build brand awareness among international clientele. Local as well as an interesting concept....I like that. Quirky, fun, MOMA type gifts for self, spouse, friend or kid. As noted the great tunes playing on the showroom floor (an ambiance perk for a retail shopper!), you can browse everything from a cat shaped purse to a chicken electric kettle. From the bizarre to the functional, this store has a little something for everyone. They appear to have shop operations here a the Convention Centre, at the Departure Hall of the airport and also PMQ in Central.

OK, I get it, you need to get a gift for a friend back home, but you have absolutely exhausted…read moreLadies Market. There is no more Hong Kong tat that you can buy, now that you have already gifted the chopsticks in the little silk sleeve, the fake Mulberry bag, the belts that hide away your money, the waving fortune cats - arghhh, who would have thought you would run out of rubbish presents to buy! If this is indeed you, I would thoroughly recommend a visit to the HKTDC Design Gallery in the Convention Centre, Wan Chai. This haven of "stuff" is all 100% designed in Hong Kong, which means it is just that bit more genuine then those tea sets from Stanley Market. With a focus on young HK designers, and local brands, this is about as Hong Kong as you can get. Sure, the range of products is quite eclectic, anything from jewellery and iPhone cases, through to plates and lacquered boxes, and the designs themselves range from funny and childlike cartoon characters, through re-imaginings of historical photographs from Hong Kong. But this does make it an ideal place to shop, because you are bound to find something that you like. For me, it is a great place to buy greeting cards, and small gifts to take home. They even have a shop in the airport, in case of last-minute visits to Auntie Norah - you can't visit your auntie empty-handed now, can you? The prices of the products vary as much as their range. Nothing is too expensive, but in the same vein, nothing is particularly cheap. The products are very well-made, though. There is an ethos and focus on being a gallery, but I don't think it really resembles a gallery at all. The store is a retail store - bottom line, but if calling themselves a gallery helps shift a few more silicon ice-trays, then call yourself Dave for all I care.