Surround Interiors showroom is a large, trendy furniture store that stocks luxurious contemporary…read morefurniture and home accessories. It also carries a stunning range of custom lighting options and dramatic wall surface treatments so you can dress your home for success. Located conveniently on Inkerman in St Kilda hints at the unique range of customers it services: clientele who know what they want and have a distinctive style and elegance. It's definitely not enough to just walk past this store if you're in the market for furniture because they carry a wide range of pieces that are available in custom sizes and fabric options to suit your design needs. I also love the quirky accessories such as the bevelled box edge mirror, cute decorative mossy elephants, gorgeous black dyed sheep skins and an assortment of cool, graphic vases.

This is yet another store of the $2 shop elk to pop up in Melbourne over the past few years. The…read moredemand for stuff costing $2 has peaked my friends, maybe over the coming years we will see the emergence of $6 shops. More realistic. My favourite aspect of this particular discount shop is that it is relatively spacious. It is an alarming trend for such stores to be jam packed with as much stock as possible. Resulting in tacky chaos. This store is a lot more relaxed and organized and therefore much more likely to receive my $2.

I was walking down Smith Street when I discovered a lovely store I hadn't seen on my prior trips…read more Meet Oliverbirch- a boutique store where their buyer (Marissa-sp?) takes pride & care in selecting beautiful products that invites all of your senses- smell, touch, see etc. From linen shirts, dresses, and pants that are good for summer & travel for any future destination, to accessories for the home (think gorgeous decor and that little tiny bowl you just want to drop your earrings into), this place is a must-stop for a gift you have been seeking for the special persons in your life-including yourself! While I was there, I enjoyed perusing through all the leather bags (some are created & made in Australia or produced in India/China), in addition to nice linen/cloth totes that are practical but stylish for everyday chores & wear. I also loved all the different candles that are perfect for gifts- such as "Bestie" or "Soul Sister" etc. And this place is not just for the ladies. Men will find curated shaving goods and hand lotions that will fit on your bathroom counter but give it that extra pizazz before you start your workweek. The location is on Smith Street very close to the corner of Gertrude Street (about one block down) and on the opposite side of where Crumpler is located. There are glass windows surrounding the boutique which gives it a light and fresh atmosphere for those who need relief from the sporadic Melbourne weather & heat. I couldn't decide what I wanted to buy when I was there (I was eyeing a green leather Tasmanian designer tote or a soft sage green linen tote). It was so much fun to look at how everything was placed for visual acuity. But I hope to return after much contemplation of things I may want to buy. It's a beautiful space w/ lovely staff that will attend to your needs but not overly doting, which is a good combo.

Sweet Meck is a chocolate and confectionary shop in Bayswater…read more A family business, these guys have been importing and selling wholesale sweets from around the world for years now. Quite like the shops you'll find on tourist trails in the hills nearby, this shop is great for trying new chocolates and candy, and picking up your favourite sweets that aren't stocked in bigger stores. Although they are priced higher than your average Mars Bar, these are specialty items that you cant pick up just anywhere. Personal favourites of mine are the Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, and the cans of Dr. Pepper, who used to be stocked everywhere, but somehow disappeared from the mainstream stores a few years back.

This store is a little hidden from the main road. Inside you will find a good range ad Australian,…read moreAmerica. And English candy. Pre wrapped bars of weighed bags. The prices are great and they also have a lot of party supplies aswell

When I was shopping in Coburg I took a wander through the aisles of this large discount shop. Along…read morewith the usual discount shop range of toys, kitchen ware and stationary this shop also has a lot of discount sweets and a few other groceries. It seems to specialize in cheap seasonal decorations. The window is currently full of Xmas decorations, last month it was Halloween and soon the Easter eggs will be filling the shop.

Have been here several times whilst doing the rounds of local bargain shops in the area, and it is…read morenow my first stop because they usually have a very good range of incense at cheap prices. Besides the incense, i've bought a few pieces of glassware, stationary, and cat products here because they have a good range of these that seems slightly better quality than the average imports. Very little in the way of hardware, electronics, or home maintenance compared to nearby stores, but i'm heading down there tonight to raid that excellent range of incense and buy a new drink bottle.

I can whole heartedly recommend Thomas & Co. to anyone looking for something a little more unique…read morethan is ordinarily found in homewares stores in Australia. Beyond the vast (and eclectic) range of goods, the service from all staff is exceptional. They are truly willing to go well beyond expectations to make absolutely certain you are happy with your purchase. Having purchased a custom made Salon couch from these folks (that ended up not fitting in the house - long story, but the store is looking after the issue perfectly), I can honestly not sing their praises highly enough. I've read a few reviews from unhappy customers and simply can't understand how their situations arose - you'd really have to try to have a negative experience here.

Thomas Gannan is one of those great shops that just seems to attract people. From its clever window…read moredisplays and quirky products, it certainly seems to have a lot going on. And this is very true. The busy store carries a wide range of homeware - from dazzling lighting, jazzy cushions, trendy table matter, witty décor pieces and functional kitchen ware. It also has a lovely range of children's toys, room accessories and gifts. But more importantly, Thomas Gannan carries a good mix of exclusive Jardan sofas and stunning Arthur G lounges. It also features a selection of environmentally sustainable Australian timber furniture, which can be custom made to suit your needs. I've bought quite a few presents from this store and have always been impressed by the service. It's not often that a sales person asks whether you would like a new piece but they do here!

One of my favourite places to get inspired, buy gifts for friends and bits and bobs for my wardrobe…read moreor home. Craft Victoria celebrates local artists and it certainly the place to go if you want to take a gift interstate or overseas. There's beautiful jewelry (my favourites are hand painted porcelain beads by Abby Seymour), ceramics, knitted hats and scarves, craft and design books and lots of cute cards if you want to complete the gift giving experience. Their window display is always a treat too... even if it's late at night and closed, it's nice to peer in to the window and dream about having a designer home filled with expensive hand crafted goodies.

I went into Craft Victoria to see the gallery and not the shop. This is not knitting granny craft…read morebut the most avant-garde and progressive craft in Victoria, it is more like contemporary art than anything grandma would recognize. There are three exhibitions in the long narrow gallery spaces; the exhibitions change every six weeks. Even though I have went there to see the exhibitions I still have to have a look around the shop area in case I see that perfect gift for someone. There isn't - maybe next time. Craft Victoria is also a great place to find out more information about art exhibition openings. I leave with the free InTrouble magazine and some exhibition invite cards.

It's nice to see something more local and personable during our recent flight from the States. As…read morecasual patrons and supporters of local goods and creative makers, it was actually a nice touch to complete our trip, as it reminded us of vibes previously accessible from past areas of residence. The entrance is by a very narrow street. It's not hard to find, but it may be tough to park. They didn't necessarily have anything I would have wanted, with the exception of graphic display blocks of various sizes, which I thought were very well-made. Prices were decent. Not irrationally cheap, but enough to support the vendors significantly. You likely can only walk here from the main street, as the road/path by this place is very narrow. The tram will definitely take you here.

A really cool little market full of local artists and designers. it is nice to buy products from…read morethe person who designed and made it, you get so much more information and it is nice to support local people not big business. Most stores accept cards so you don't have to carry cash. My girlfriend purchased some Kinetic Jewellery that looked great and was fun aswell, someone really put some thought into it. We then purchased a cool soy candle in a scientific looking jar. there was so many items we both liked, we will be back here for sure!!