I've always found Russell Paints give a good service and advice. Here's a wee story that might help…read morethem be even better. I bought white gloss to do work on Bank holiday Monday. Big panic when I started as the paint was a kind of light beige when I opened the tin. So off to B and Q to pay twice as much to get the job done (Russells closed that day) Took the paint back today and Russell's say "Oh yea it dries white though" and tell me about a decorator who did the same a while back. Now here is my cunning plan. Tell people BEFORE instead of after. Aaaaah! Good luck!

After my last posting about Ian Russell Paints, I rang them about the paint I wasn't happy with…read more They explained the following: In 2010, the government introduced new legislation regarding paint fumes and ingredients and hence, too much gloss in my eggshell paint. Apparently, it's been a major hassle for the paint world. It would apparently settle into a more matt finish in 3 to 4 weeks. What if I still don't like it? I don't really want to paint everything I need to with this paint, wait a month and decide I still really don't like it and have to paint everything again! When the paint guy delivers my hallway paint tomorrow morning, he'll check it out and provide advice. The wee man turns up just after 9am. He delivers more paint and supplies (how brilliant is this for the carless!) and then gives me advice on my paint and options and how to get the same finish as my sample pot experiment, if that's the finish I really want. Brilliant. Brilliant service and, while I'm still not happy with my paint options, that's not their fault. No other large-chain retailer would come over, bringing paint *and* extra supplies, give proper on-the-spot advice and all before 10am, so I still have time to completely paint an entire room. Now where's that red paint for the town.....

Good hardware stores are a rare breed these days. Good hardware stores that sell a range as…read moreextensive as Houseproud of Morningside are like dodo eggs. From compost to pans, screwdrivers to bird tables they have it all. Split into two parts, the left hand side sells all the things you'd expect to find in a hardware store and more. They have a nifty garden section, selling pots, trowels, compost, bird tables among other things. They also have the usual range of tools, light bulbs. All the things you'll ever need. The right hand side is dedicated to kitchen products, and they have a huge range. I bought myself a hand blender from there which, at £20, was a little on the expensive side but not too overpriced. Given this place is an independent shop in an affluent area of Edinburgh you can expect to pay a little more than you would in a major chain. However, the staff are engaging and helpful and the plethora of products makes it worth a visit next time you run out of tea towels.

I have always found that good DIY stores, outside of the major chains, are hard to find in…read moreEdinburgh. Houseproud of Morningside are the exception to this rule. Situated on Morningside Road in a visible on-road location, they stand head and shoulders above all others I have tried in the city. As DIY shops go, they stock pretty much everything you would expect to find. From paints to Polyfilla, screwdrivers to sandpaper, they cover all the bases. I've visited this store on two occasions. Firstly, I went to pick up some expanding foam to fill in mouse holes in the flat. Not knowing exactly what I was looking for, I asked the assistance of a member of staff. He helpfully pointed out to me all of the different things they offered, showing a range of prices and uses. He helped me to find the product that was ideal for what I needed it for, and didn't automatically go for the hard sell on the most expensive. The second occasion was to buy a bradawl - something that is like a screwdriver, but has a point on the end rather than a screw head. Whilst this time I didn't need help finding it, the shop assistant at the counter still engaged me in some light-hearted chat whilst I was paying. It's these sort of things that I really appreciate in a small shop like this. They don't view customers as more money for the tills, but engage with you as a person. I will definitely be using this place again, as it saves a trip out of town to one of the larger chain stores. This shop is a must for all your Morningside DIY needs!

I swear to gosh, this shopping complex is like the land customer service has forgotten!…read more Ok, first thing you should understand: it hurts me not to give this a four star or above. I LOVE homeware stores - between my constant DIY projects and frequent, spontaneous need to repaint walls in my house, I was tickled pink to find a paint shop/homewares store closer to the house. Plus, I quite enjoy the Habitat stuff... sure it's a little knock off hipstery but the prices are far better than real hipstery items and I really like how darn cheerful the throw pillows are. All the makings of a solid four star review... except... The two times I've been here so far, the service has been dreadful. Besides one very lovely lady in the curtain section (thank you!), it's even bordered on rude. I'm not sure if I have to up my adulting game and wear high heels to look less like a 12 year old when shopping for home supplies, because I apparently do not look like someone who would spend money on things. This is mainly down to an interaction in the Habitat section: I've been trying to find an interesting bookshelf to host my ever growing library and one caught my eye in this section. It had a cute little matching desk/storage, which happens to be #2 on my "to buy" list. The gal in the section was helping another lady at the time, so I waited for my turn. When she finished with the other lady (who was quite a bit older and very well dressed), she turned to where I had been standing for the last five minutes, looked me straight in the eye... and walked away. I was so perplexed that it would have been funny, had it not been irritating as all heck. What does one do in that situation? Run after them? Call out? I understand she may have been going on break but it would have taken all of 15 seconds to acknowledge me and call someone else over. Needless to say, I did NOT buy the bookcase and left with a sour taste in my mouth. So, I will continue to come here because of my need to paint things pretty colours, but this spot isn't taking a #serviceninja stamp any time soon...

Had most tremendous help and knowledge from a chap called Marc Cole about 2weeks ago. Just new in…read morehis job and a knowledge of joinery. I appreciated do much his ability to envision what I was trying to build. A raised garden bed. Can't recommend him enough. All the staff were lovely at the Blackhall homebase. Thankyou.

A & A Traders is one of a number of shops in Edinburgh which seems to sell almost anything you need…read morefor you home! The shop is crammed full of home ware goods and gardening items. This shop reminded me of the Edinburgh Bargain Store in Newington, however, this shop is smaller and seems to be struggling to modernise itself. Now, don't get me wrong, these kinds of shops are very handy to have in the city if you don't want to travel to a retail park to visit a Homebase or B & Q. However, just along Easter Road there is a B & Q, so you would most likely get what you need there than from this shop. With just looking at the window display you can tell this shop is stuck in time. It advertises that it sells Video Tapes and its windows are full of clutter that no one is really going to need to buy (Including that dodgy yellow coloured kettle). Not the best home ware shop I have been in to, there are many other similar shops which are better, but this shop is still a handy place to buy that odd item you need!

This is a shop selling cookware, electrical goods and a bit more thrown in for luck It's well…read morestocked and holds a good range so you can choose between a few models and makes for each item. The prices here are also very good so if you do have a flat or house that needs furnishing it is worth going out of your way to come here - you rarely see such good value for money. As a shop it's hard to fault; they offer a large range of models at reasonable prices selling almost everything you might need.

This place sells paint and associated products…read more Who knew paint could be so stressful?? This isn't really a reflection of the store or the staff, more my own personal relationship with paint given just how much painting I've done over the last 18 months+ renovating our house! We set up a cash account here after a few tradesmen recommended the quality of the paint. It's more expensive than the dulux paint you find in DIY stores but this is trade paint and is thicker / more pigmented - basically covers more square meters - so you should need less of it. Personally I'm impressed with the quality of the paint, both the matt & silk emulsion and their eggshell, they are easy to use with either a roller or a brush, giving great coverage and a true colour. One thing that annoys me is the price. We seem to be charged a different price for the same type of paint every time we go!! And even when we are buying a significant amount of paint (like £500 worth) they want to charge us for a £3 tester pot. Staff say they can't discuss the pricing on individual accounts as it's worked out on the computer, to me this is just poor customer service. Oh and you get Nectar points on your spend.

Easy to use, brilliant helpful staff…read more Dulux trade is easily the best paint I've used The prices for consumables are expensive, hence the star dropped to 4 not 5 The paints well worth the money however and their diamond range is is very durable and strong

As paint shops go, this is a great paint shop. If you're looking for fancy pants paint (or probably…read moreany sort of paint really), it is worth going in here before you go to any of the big DIY stores. It mostly seems set up for trade, but obviously general punters can go in too. The day we were there, as we were leaving, the chap had just pulled down the shutters and was standing outside in the street when a girl came running up, and looked devastated that he was closing. He asked her what she was looking for, and when she answered 'white emulsion' the guy said OK, give me a minute, and went back inside to get some for her. How nice is that! We went in to look for Farrow & Ball testers (I know, proper fancy pants paint!) and had a good chat with the man about paint quality and colours and such. But what pleases me most about this place and the guy who runs it, is that the shop used to be located on Old Dumbarton Road, in a unit that has now been converted into a residential flat, and is the flat that I actually live in! So we had a very interesting chat about how our flat used to look - the counter was in the living room where our couch is, the paint samples were were the telly is, and the mixing area was where the kitchen now is. I realise that this means absolutely hee-haw to anyone other than me, and is therefore completely useless information to put in a review, but I guess my point is that South West Paints is a proper local shop with a long history in the area, and I think it's worth supporting that sort of business.

Such a great shop. The owner obviously knows his stuff and is happy to advise. No fuss - just…read moretells you what you need and how you could do the job; but doesn't mind if you choose something different. Excellent stock and everything you need in terms of equipment too. And 30 minute free parking outside - rarity. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Peering into the window of Zamboo, I thought I would absolutely hate everything inside as it looked…read morelike overpriced tat. I was pleasantly surprised when I browsed around as more than a few things caught my eye. I find this shop hilarious as it has a really stagnant feel about it with bizarre music that sounds like something off of a TV shopping channel. You know, the ones on at dubious hours where they flog off what look like the remnants of an old ladies house starting at £9027354924 for a pair of curtains and get them down to £1. I'm not sure I would actually buy anything from here but I could see a few things looking good on a dining room table or as focal points in hallways or the like. Good for presents I guess and the prices aren't too bad either, I spotted a nice vase for £25, so good for a housewarming gift or something for a house proud family member. My friend was a huge fan of the chess board table mats complete with other decorative table stuff and a storage case also in keeping with the chess theme. This little set was £129 and although quite pricey, it was really unusual and if you like that kind of thing then why not? They also had a rather bizarre green ceramic horse/donkey thing and at £199 I'm at a loss to understand what you would do with it, where you would put it and why on earth anyone would want such a monstrosity?

Same here - I have walked past Zamboo and browsed there sometime but never really been tempted to…read morebuy. The items look lovely in the shop all together but I am not sure if any of it would look ok on it's own in my house. Sure must suit some people's houses.

Machine Mart has to be one of the most comprehensive shops in the whole of Edinburgh when it comes…read moreto stocking products for DIY and gardening. As a novice, but a constantly improving novice at DIY I don't usually go out of my way to find these kinds of shops. However, as I was walking by I could not but pay this shop a visit. The shop from the outside seemed fully stocked of everything a builder, carpenter, metal worker and gardener would need to carry out a Day's work. Indeed, when I was in the place was quite busy with tradesmen who were looking for working tools etc. I'm unsure about the price range for all the range of products but for the painting tools I was looking at, their prices can certainly match the bigger DIY stores. A good place to go for any DIY or gardening enthusiast!

I have spent thousands here since it opened and had to return something recently which was not a…read morenice experience! They offered me a credit of the full amount or 10% restocking fee - I opted for the credit and promptly tried to buy some work gear but they didn't have what I wanted (not my fault) so they said they would refund me less 10% I explained it wasn't my fault I couldn't use the credit, I was a good customer and all my staff are sent here and I really didn't like the restocking fee and asked for it to be waived. They explained that some people use their tools and bring them back once the job is done for a refund hence the restocking fee. In these circumstances I fully agree with their policy! however, I was returning a sack barrow unused and unwrapped therefore sought leniency or discretion. They refused pointing to the back of the receipt where there was a load of fine print to fine to see never mind read and also to the typed up paper they have on the front counter. I explained I wasn't happy and spoke to the manager to see if he could help. He just pointed out the same policy which I can't dispute...... I was told to complain to head office which I did! they emailed me a standard copy of their returns policy........ I am not disputing their return policy, just think it is ridiculous to fall out with a customer for less than a fiver! I will spend my thousands at screw fix and tool station in future and urge you to do the same as Machine Mart do not respect their customers and don't deserve us. If there was a minus star I would use it! A lost customer and a bad review - was it really worth it for under a fiver!

So this place sells paint. Beautiful paint. Gorgeous paint! But it's definitely pricey paint!…read more The colours are traditional shades of greys, creams, blues, greens etc. that work so well in many of the traditional high ceiling properties through out Glasgow. The store has a lovely corner location on Great Western Road and two sides of the shop are floor to ceiling glass so you really get an idea of how the paint looks in natural light but remember this means it could look lighter than it would in certain rooms of your house. The staff I've dealt with on a couple of different occasions have been helpful - suggesting paint colours and mapping out little mood boards in the store. We bought paint for our hallway and it's good quality / nice to paint with but I don't really see why it costs so much more than Dulux trade paint for example hence knocking off a star.

I came in here when I was painting my room and got a couple of sample pots. The service was…read morebrilliant, a young woman helped me with all of my decisions and really made me feel comfortable with the choices I was making colour-wise, helping me pair up the right combinations and choose a primer. The shop is a really peaceful oasis on GWR! Lovely ambiance, I could stay in there all day! I ended up returning the samples and went with a cheaper brand as they are pretty pricey, but they have lovely subtle shades if you've got the money. Returning the items was seamless and they have a great 28 day return policy. I kept the colour chart and they also keep a record of the paints you like in their system, should you choose to re-order or come back. I think you get what you pay for here, with a lovely customer experience far better than a trip to homebase, but it's still out of the budget for me.