The Bankrupt Shop is fab, it's like a big jumble sale but without the junk. This store is quite…read morelarge ad stock all sorts of furniture like nests of tables and chairs and stools, ornaments and mirrors and photo frames as well as soft furnishings: curtains cushions, throws and of course masses of material for the haberdashers amongst us. The prices are reasonable, although "bankrupt" implies something on par with poundland, its not quite that cheap, but you'll find a bargain. I'm not sure whether a delivery servce is available as lots of the items are quite large and bulky I should think there would be.

Zara Home whose appropriate next door neighbour is Zara, appears quite camouflaged as its outer…read morecolours blend in with Zara, so most of the time I walk past this without realising. I kick myself for not noticing because this neat little home ware shop offers a whole load of items, which are ideal to make your home look pretty and shiny. Amongst their terrific variety of products, they sell everything from crockery, linen to furniture and beds. You wouldn't think for a small shop like this, that they offer such a decent selection. Whilst prices are moderate, most items appear to be of decent quality. I wouldn't be too surprised if this store attracts many housewives and mothers. This store is perfect for transforming your home, such as making your mantle piece look ten times more fabulous!

An all-in-one DIY superstore this is either the type of place to inspire you to redesign your home,…read morebreathe life into a new house or fill you with dread at the thought of a wasted weekend sorting out the spare room! Taksers is a big superstore that has all sorts of hardware, timber, fixtures and fittings for home DIY but the furniture section and home decor part is surprisingly expensive I thought. And it's not understated either - some of the items would make Tony Sprano blush! Certainly though, this should be your first stop if you ar situated in the North End of the city and Aintree area.

Taskers DIY is almost like a version of Ikea but not as grand enough if you were to spend a whole…read moreday browsing their furniture and garden sections. This branch in Long Lane is a fairly large establishment compared to the branch in Wavertree. They sell a massive variety of products for your home, no matter how big or small a job you have. Staff will be there to help choose or find your items and give you a price estimate for that new bathroom suite or laminate flooring. Prices in general for DIY essentials are not too bad, obviously depending on the brand and type of item. Most of the time, you will find what you are looking for and not have to run around in circles since they have well displayed signs for each category. Taskers is certainly a decent store and up there with the best; it sells quality products at competitive prices therefore it is always worth a gander.

A must for emerging and established knitters, Purlesque is a gorgeous boutique that sells beautiful…read morewool, yarn, buttons and crochet books. If you haven't got the patience or fingertips to stitch yourself, they also sell adorable hand-made bags, accessories and homeware. I love the mix of DIY jewellery, tote-bags, scarves and cushions but it's the knitted cupcakes and tea-cosies that I have my eye on. You bring the jam and scones, I'll get the kettle on...

This is a lovely little haberdashery store. The staff here are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable…read more Amongst the goodies on sale there is wool, yarn, buttons, jewellery beads, crochet kits, knitting patterns, bags, cushions, fabric and scarves. Everything is arranged neatly and the shop is a joy to browse around. This is a great little shop for when you're feeling a bit crafty :)

Lounge Boutique describes itself as "comfortably chic, elegantly shabby" and I have to agree with…read morethem. It's charming indeed. There is a subtle and classic look about the furniture and homeware on sale here with selections of whitewashed wooden pieces on offer and grand mirrors draped in fabric. I love the little details from the decorative storage boxes and wire mannequins laced with flowers to the cute baby gifts which are scattered across the delicate furniture. Flags and fairy lights and mini pirate hangers, teddies and baby mobiles for the crib will make you want to buy it all up in bulk for your little 'un. Selling items to make a house a home, you'll find some gorgeous treasures in Lounge Boutique to decorate your pad with.

Just because you can see everything that's on display here does not necessarily mean that it is a…read morelesser antique and collectibles store than your usual dusty and cluttered affair in which clambering around things and digging underneath piles is the usual course of events. I was, however, prevented from doing any sort of digging whatsoever as the shop was still closed and left under the care of the hippies from a nearby store. Apparently the woman who owned the shop was running a bit late today and would not be in til 14.00. The shop normally opens at 12 as well. However the store had an impressive display of cameras, old toys, art and a bright turquiose typewriter I was bit taken with - if only I could get to it.

Ah, Collage! I love you! :) After two years of living in Merseyside I finally found Gostins and…read morediscovered the delights of the many adorable shops and all they afford. Collage is by far one of my favourite shops in Gostins. They are an antiques and collectables shop and as the name suggests, they offer a fair variety of items all arranged artfully and happily on shelves, glass display cabinets, and baskets and boxes. Here you will find antique buttons, china, toys, books, collectables, decorations, jewellery, tableware and other kitchen items, and so much more. My favorite items were the old buttons (I need to go back for some!) and the little collectable animals from Rose Red tea boxes--I used to collect those back home in America when I was a kid. I bought a fox one four £4. I'm very pleased with my little critter. :) The shop also sells a small number of crafty items like packs of new buttons and charms. Everything is reasonably priced and the lady is very friendly and chatty. :) I highly recommend this shop!

Extremely helpful staff that go above & beyond to assist you…read more Very welcoming and friendly & nothing is too much trouble.

From the owner: Period Property Store offers a huge range of items ideally suited to adding character and style to…read moreperiod interiors. In addition we stock hundreds of products recommended for the installation, finishing and maintenance of original and reproduction features such as parquet flooring, Victorian floor tiles and cast iron hardware. With a nationwide delivery service and fast daily dispatch of thousands of stock items, we are able to service our huge following of satisfied customers across the UK. Based in the heart of the country, conveniently located showrooms situated within our Grade II listed reclamation centre are well worth a visit, with many of the product ranges on display. Whether you are looking for traditional style ironmongery, prime solid or engineered oak flooring, period doors or cast iron radiators, fireplaces & stoves, we have it all ready to go. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is available to give advice on our freephone telephone number or alternatively you can use

Calico Skies is a very interesting shop. The shop is mainly fireplaces but also has lots of…read morebeautiful interior products to fill your home with and make it look awesome. I went in for the interiors rather than the fireplaces. Interior wise they really do have a good range, including picture frames, pictures, beautifully designed glass vases, candles, lamps, clocks, mirrors, chest of draws, candle holders, wooden baskets, glass bowls and chairs. I think my favourite was a very artistic glass vase with a green and black fired pattern on. I would definitely recommend a smooch around the shop.

Coffee tables Console tables…read moreSide-tables Floor lamps Wall lamps Light-boxes Mirrors Statues & Buddahas A few doors down from Zen Furniture, the company have a more interesting and eye-catching interiors shop with smaller pieces of furniture. Alongside the obligatory wooden coffee tables, bookshelves and side tables there are some beautiful, antique silver chests, fun lamps, big mirrors and hand-carved wooden sculptures and ornaments from buddhas and hindu gods to animals. Prices are reasonable for good quality teak, oak and mango wood and there's currently a sale on.

Part one of the Zen Furniture experience and I find myself in a world of Buddhas, little Chinese…read morefellas with sticks and a gold effect deer's head to be mounted, urm, God knows frankly? Maybe there is a new trend for gentleman club interiors with a modern twist? Hunting cabin/Tony Soprano chic? Is it just Liverpool or is a nationwide obsession with all things eastern and Buddhist? I know we have a reputation as being space cadets but this faux Eastern stuff is everywhere. Are we scousers so buried under the strain of modern living and the hustle and bustle of our work-a-day lives that we need to turn our homes into temples? I guess I can see how filling the house with lots of little bald fellas chubbier than myself will increase my tranquility and one-ness with the world. The funny side to the commercialism of ancient traditions was experienced by myself whilst in here as a couple wanted to find something meaningful for their home and spotted 'ahhh, a li'l cryin' fella', 'no, no' said the milf saleswoman 'that's a meditating Buddha', the woman looked puzzled and pointed to the box 'it says, li'l crying priest der...not sure how dat 'elps me chi?', 'er, well at least it's not you crying?', 'oh yeah'. Sold!...and yes milf.

I am quite simply a fan of TJ Hughes, always have been and always will be because its your store in…read moreone apart from selling food. They might fall short of selling food but they do have a basic cafe/restaurant where you can have a hearty lunch for cheap prices. Its the nature of their departments that makes them so popular with people of all ages. I can't think of anything they don't sell, especially when it comes to domestic requirements. Their crockery ranges from low to high standards similarly with their electronic appliances so whatever you are seeking, there should be an item that wins you over 9 out of 10 times. Not to mention, the same goes with shoes; the place is packed with them! And clothes too, the list is endless. If you're looking to treat yourself or find a gift, then TJ's is probably your first port of call.

To me this is the archetypal nan shop. My nan doesn't go much further than the bottom of her…read morestreet for her weekly shop these days but when she does venture into the city centre it will be to hunt out a bargain at TJ's. These bargains usually end up as my birthday or christmas presents. Like the much lamented Lewis' which has closed down on Renshaw Street, TJ's is a landmark store within the city. It is a much more modest department store than Lewis' was and can be seen as more of a front runner to the now universal pound shops. The key to TJ's is the bargains. It covers all sorts of quality products and ranges - although nothing exclusive or top of the range - and at the cheapest possible prices.