I have no aspirations to be a domestic goddess. If I did…read morethough, I'd slip into my marigolds and my kitten heels And I'd scoot over to Bert's at least once a week. A local homestore two minutes from Jamie Oliver's Recipease, they sell every cute and kitsch accessory you could wish for - from spotted cake tins and stripey aprons to colourful bowls, chopping boards, whisks, spoons and tableware. Oh and the essential items for budding bakers - cupcake and muffin tins!

This lovely little store is a new addition to Western Road, building on Bert's successful original…read moreoutlet at 33 George Street in Hove (their web-site has not yet been updated to include the new venue). Basically, they sell things for the kitchen, like crockery, cutlery, draining racks, chopping boards, gadgets, and so on. Although the range is not that large - only a few styles of cutlery, for example - they do have lots of useful things, and the store is lovely just to browse around. The place was buzzing with happy shoppers, doing just that. (In marked contrast to the January Sales hell that characterised the rest of Brighton). I have spent hours trying to find an small olive spoon, for example - and they had one, and an olive spear, and a spring-loaded pickle fork, and... We also bought a really large, heavy beech wood chopping board - from a sustainable source - for under £8. Something else that caught my eye were several designs of nice wire draining racks, in bright funky colours - no horrid plastic tat. Oh, and lovely, friendly, helpful staff. I hope they succeed.

Considering I've only been in two lighting shops in my entire life, I can only really compare this…read moreone to Light Settings on North Street. I must say, it's much nicer when not every single light is on. This shop sells a lot more artsy and unique lighting options - many of the lamps are some sort of statue or piece of artwork affixed with a lightbulb. Genres of lighting include: chandeliers, tall and short reading lamps, ceiling fixtures and outdoor decorative designs. There were also several in mosaic and frosted glass styles. Things that didn't light up included paintings on canvas and clocks - cuckoo and fancy Roman. All items are 40% off - Some signage indicates it's a closing out sale, so if you're looking for unique sources of light, you'd best venture in shortly.

It took me awhile to find One in the House, as it's a bit further up Trafalgar than I usually need…read moreto venture. I did spot it, though, and became a fan of the small, quaint shop with a small quaint mix of items. Jewellery was mostly in silver, with dainty sets of earrings, necklaces and pendants. Other knick knacks included engraved silver key chains and candle holders. For home décor, the shop sold hanging artwork, clocks, pitchers, dishware and cosies for tea kettles. Small renovation items like knobs for cupboards and decorative tile came in several varieties. There were also a few racks of greeting cards near the back. In summary, a quaint (have I mentioned that?) shop with unique home, personal and gift items.

A charming shop a stone's throw from Brighton Station, One In The House reminds me of boutiques…read moreyou'd find in the South of France. Everything is laid out beautifully with products stylishly arranged on distressed wooden shelves, tables and old dressers. As the name suggests, One In The House mainly sells elegant home decor with a lovely line of ceramics, glassware, candlesticks, clocks, tiles and kitchenware scattered alongside cushions, wool blankets, art prints and jewellery. Everything looks antique or hand-crafted with the dominating colours being white, cream, stone, grey, silver, caramel, chocolate and wood. A great place to pick up a unique gift for a friend... or yourself.

This is a lovely little friendly establishment hidden away just off the Henfield High St selling…read morebeautiful, useful furnishings that could really enhance your home; from hooks to butchers blocks and parasols to armchairs. They also offer a fantastic framing service which I've used on several occasions. If you don't have anything of your own to frame, they sell a number of prints by some wonderful local artists so its definitely worth popping in for a browse around.

Until I went in InHouse Space yesterday, I'd always assumed it was a bed shop selling different…read morebases and mattresses. I now know it's actually an ethical home store that sells a mix of furniture and home decor. Based on Gloucester Road in the North Laines, it's a medium size shop surrounded by cool design shops, fashion boutiques and jewellery stalls. Admittedly, a lot of the space is taken up by a variety of wooden beds but they also sell stylish and environmentally friendly sofa-beds, chairs, lamps, cushions, bed linen, wine-racks, umbrella stands, silicon coat hooks and kitchenware. The thing I loved most about the shop however, was it's collection of London Bus blinds. You can buy these framed from £125 a pop and they look fantastic. The only question is, which number and destination? London Bridge or Brixton? Gotta be Brixton, right?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiQoq-wqZxg

InHouse Space is a small bed and bath shop, made a bit smaller by the two beds on display. I was…read moremore interested in the home décor items, like the clocks made from recycled coffee cups (!) the mugs and money banks with the instantly lovable sheep character, "Herdy." Prices were a bit on the steep side (mugs were £10 each) but I did see a couple bargains hidden in the mix: Recycled wool blanket for only £20. The selection, like the shop, is small, but they do have a website you can order from - or use for a sneak peek at the style.

Flint (not Flint at Home which is the nearby homewares shop) is an upmarket clothing shop. And I…read moreshould really love it, it's stylish with lovely unusual knitwear and feminine pieces....but it feels over-edited and boring in the shop. I like the minimalist beach house look but this has somehow gone too far, when you walk into the shop there only seems to be about three items of clothing on display and a few white washed wooden tables with artfully displayed accessories. It makes it both a little intimidating and dull, which is a shame because the clothes they stock are great- Saltwater dresses, Malene Birger all sorts, Hartford coats and some great knits by Fabiana Filipi. Mostly you are looking at over a hundred pounds for an item but they are great pieces if you have that budget and if you can stand to hunt out the things amongst the white wood decor.

If you are an admirer and consumer of all things beautiful then Flint will make your heart sing. A…read morestunning collection of clothing both from renowned and niche designers, home furnishings and fripperies sourced from around the world, this is sometimes about need but always about want. Colours are muted, an exquisite palette of greys, blues, browns and whites, allowing long-time devotees and new clientele alike to create a cohesive and stylish look, marked for its unique appeal. The shop's owners, Heidi Francis and Julia Smith, an inimitably attractive and hugely likeable mother and daughter team, work tirelessly to produce an edited, elegant and irresistible collection, ensuring that their customers are the envy of the uninitiated season upon season. Flint is an emporium. A mecca for those with an eye for the understated and for the unusual. Softest silk scarves, cashmere blankets and leather satchels abound. Miller Harris candles and perfumes scent the air. Hand-tied flowers that echo the seasons make artistry of floristry. Impeccable taste is complimented by warm and attentive customer service. Here is a shop for the discerning, for the stylish, for those who understand.

Walking up Hastings High Street is like taking a trip back into the past, and this Home Store is…read moremore like a museum than a shop. The house itself is worth a visit alone, and it is filled with beautiful practical stuff that reminds your of your greatgrandmother's kitchen. There are more brushes and brooms than you ever thought possible, all with their very specific functions and all handmade. This is good nostalgia, and you can take a bit of it home with you - but staff are still friendly even if you just pop in for a good look around and leave with a smile but without a purchase.

On the look-out for a new armchair or lamp?…read more England At Home is a lovely boutique shop that sells furniture and home accessories that wouldn't look out of place in Elle Decoration or Living Etc. As well as a small assortment of leather and wool chairs and loungers, they sell swish side-tables, lampshades, chandeliers and mirrors. If you're after something unique as a gift, they also have buddha statues and cool cushions embroidered with everything from Union Jack flag to burlesque girls in kitty heels and underwear. If you plan to go soon, could you pick me up two of the latter?

One of several quirky home decor store in Brighton. I love the tail wagging clocks of dogs in…read moreblack hanging on the wall as soon as you enter the store! They sell interesting stationary too.