I between the eclectic mix of antique and retro goodies, someone had spelled out 'Rhodo fest -…read morewelcome' in scrabble tiles in the window. Big business for Blackheath this weekend, and this little store was packed. That being said, I didn't get as much of a look around as I would have liked, but had fun spotting a collection of Spanish bull figurines, weird knick-knacks, some vintage clothes, and a lovely old double school desk, graffiti-intact. I'll never understand the appeal of Toby jugs though, they freak me out. I'll be back on a quieter afternoon.

Smells heavenly in here. Like someone's just been mixing up a secret spice mix to slather on…read moresomething and slowcook for six hours. Zuri is a concept store stocking eco-friendly and ethically produced items from clothing, to jewellery, homewares, foodie items, you name it. I loved the aprons and clothes made by women in Ghana (ethical brownie points for sure), and they've some lovely stuff for babies that would make a fab present for a new mum. Cards, bamboo clothes (love bamboo clothes), scarves, soaps and all kinds of beautiful things. As I warmed up by the fireplace, the lady staffer enthused about how much fun it was to work there. Her words. The prices weren't as high as I expected, and yes, you pay a bit more to be ethical. It's worth it.

Le Posh. Huge swanky…read moreupmarket homewares/perfume/accessories/sleepwear emporium. They even have a home decorating service for the annoyingly wealthy. This is one of my mum's fav stores, and I've ruthlessly manipulated family members to make sure she gets the odd gift voucher for birthdays or Christmas. So far she's racked up a lovely collection of Polish pottery coffeecups - small and round and which fit beautifully in the hand. A bigger purchase was a set of green wineglasses with simple dragonflies embossed on the side. From Paris. Le Posh. Not cheap, but it's Leura, nothing is. While it's not the kind of place you drop in every day, the staff have always been kind and haven't even looked like chasing out a couple of quiet gawpers.

Grossly overpriced and filled with pretentious snobby stuff…read more I am a local and will not go into that store. They old bags working in the store are pretend snobs and think they are better than everyone else.

There's an owl in waistcoat figurine in the window perfect for scaring a child into several…read morepsychiatric disorders, if that's your thing. My companion for the day and I have a somewhat odd fascination with weird interior design, and like to imagine the kind of people who would decorate their homes with Venetian masks, Tiffany lamp knock offs and angel sparkle explosion thingies. A bit of an art deco wannabe shop, art deco without the trademark restraint. It's very claustrophobic, and not aided by the migraine-blast of those hideous room diffuser allegedly 'perfume' things. One's bad enough, but half a dozen is enough to send me screaming for some fresh air. Look, not my taste, admittedly. But it wasn't a friendly or comfortable vibe. And frog musician table lamps? Are you supposed to buy the whole ensemble, or just a lone saxophonist?

We visited Katoomba before Christmas and were drawn into this shop by a magical Christmas Window…read moredisplay which included the cutest hand made nativity scene with foxes and turbaned ducks. This shop is full of personality and humor with lots of interesting home wears and gifts, and the best range of greeting cards we've seen. When you're on holidays you want to see something different and this place certainly is. The service was really relaxed with lots of friendly chatter as the the lovely lady gift wrapped everything. It really made our visit special and we will definitely come back again

A test for the imaginative: shop profiling. Imagine the ideal customer for a shop or business. My…read moreresults for Inner Space are as follows. - Male. Decidedly. Lots of battered leather furniture, chrome, and red. - Male with money. Lots of the pieces handmade, imported too, by the look. - Male, with money, no woman living with him. Don't know how many women would willingly abide with a zebra striped armchair. - Male, with money, divorced. Clean slate. He's gonna buy furniture he likes, goddammit! - Male, with money, divorced with slight anger issues. So what if I want a metal plated and bolted ice chest that looks armoured in case of invasion. Or maybe like the side of a WW2 era bomber. Aggression expressed through furniture? Don't be ridiculous! - Male, moneyed, divorced, working on his anger issues, needing company. Sets of 4 Japanese coffeecups, chopsticks and bowls. Just have to learn how to cook. Will someone teach me? Please? I've got really comfy couches? If available women start hanging out here in hope of a catch, I deny all responsibility.

No cats visible, but there is a wall of faux fur rugs identified by species. Who knew faux came in…read moreotter and Russian bear? As you walk in the door and try not to collapse on the cushy couches, you can spy a table of wonderfully stabby-looking bonsai scissors, a set of 'hear no evil' bunnies (bunnies?!) and then head out back. There's extra rooms down the wooden stairs stocking more furniture and home dec items. They vary in style and quality and are a mix of old and new. Given my druthers, I would have stumbled away with a Mongolian buffet and a gloriously battered leather wing chair perfect for taking up pipe smoking. Staff are friendly and cheerful and experts at shipping stuff anywhere. I wonder if a pair of those scissors in the handbag would be considered carrying a concealed weapon? Bonsai roots and malefactors beware...

A bit oh hum. Same sought of product line you see in most gift shops. There is a lot of stuff…read morethough and staff are friendly and helpful. Still a pleasant shop to browse through.

There's something, a sacriligeous twinge, about a converted church. Can't think of many that have…read morebeen turned into homewares stores. Past the box hedge and pansy border out the front, there's a churchful of soft furnishings and furniture. The staff were very friendly the other day as I wandered in, commiserating them on the noise from the roadwork. I peeked in the babystuff room for presents, shook my head at the scotty dog doorstop collection (what's with the scotty dogs? I don't get it) and admired some lovely sage green crockery. Speaking of, spotty seems to be in, spotty crockery is everywhere it seems, and there's some here too, perched above the wing chair, french 'home' perfumes (?!) and repro Tiffany lamps. Not really my style, but the staff were lovely, and they offer an extensive home dec/custom service if one's budget stretches to such things. I really marvelled at the freakish weird elephant in renaissance costume and ice skates doll thing on the bed in the back. I'm not making it up. Quite the incongruity. Life would be so dull if we all had the same taste...