You're in the Adelaide Hills? You need a thing? If you're not already on your way to Balhannah,…read moreyou're doing it wrong. Without a doubt, this is the best hardware store in the Adelaide Hills. It's not a Bunnings, so it doesn't have the incomprehensible range of things you didn't go there for, but there is still the risk you will see things you "forgot" you needed. It might be because it's a co-op (co-operative) hardware and cold storage, owned and ran by locals, but you really feel like you're part of a bustling community, especially when you become a member (which is free, and you don't need a loyalty card!) The staff aren't excessively friendly, which I find refreshing compared to other large hardware stores, as you are more likely to get genuine customer service, not just an employee trying to promote a brand or company. The layout can seem confusing, with the metal, timber, firewood etc being so separate from the main store, but once you're used to it, you quickly realise the pressure it takes off of the convenient but often occupied parking.

The owner of this shop is a cabinet maker and over the years has brought his concept into the light…read moreof day, with storage add ons to fit the nooks of a cupboard to easily access items no matter in what room of the house. Based along the same lines as Howard's Storage, except it's one of a kind and not a chain. I have to be honest and say they're not cheap and that too depends on what you need for where. For example I bought a two level spice rack for $40, crazy but true only because there was nothing else around and short of using two planks of wood in the pantry..there was nothing else available to buy anywhere else. It's a corner shop with several levels as it is on the hilly side of the road but every area has something for the purpose of storage. There's also a baragin section which is worth checking out as some items are up to half price. They stock what seems to be the entire range of Elfa storage systems and this is definitely not cheap but will last a life time. Internal storage systems are not designed to be pretty as they're not exposed to be seen all the time, so looks are not necessary only the function. Well worth a look as they have it all covered.

We wanted drawers installed in our pantry and one under-bench cupboard in our kitchen. On the…read morerecommendation of our neighbour we rang the Storage Shop who arranged for a man to call to give a quote. Mukesh arrived on the due date, early! We found him a a little hard to understand, but he knew his business. He was friendly and helpful, able to make good suggestions, yet listening to what (we thought) we needed. We accepted his quote which I thought was quite reasonable. Two weeks later he returned, exactly as arranged, and quickly installed the drawers. We are thrilled with the outcome. The drawers slide easily, and each drawer comes with a little wheel on the door side so that the door doesn't get marked. Ingenious! We paid by credit card, and there is some funny business about a receipt having to be returned by Australia Post a week later. This aspect of the business could be improved. However, we are delighted with this transaction, and would unreservedly recommend the Storage Shop for this type of installation.

One day when I have heaps of money I will by this shop, or at least everything in the store. So…read moremany great products and clever little gadgets to make your entertaining and cooking needs so much more palatable. I haven't had the chance to buy much. This is almost entirely due to the fact that when you enter you really need to concentrate on a few items otherwise $1000 later and little Timmy isn't eating that night. You'll have the means to cook them but not the food. I'm keen to buy a white handled set of knives (the European brand escapes me) but at $800 for the set they have a while to wait to be in my kitchen. But there really is everything here and it's a big store so it's a lot of stuff. From traditional copper cookware, the type the French love to quirky shapes for the cookies that you'll make once you have food again. Pricey but with everything you'll need I can support your culinary adventures in Homewares Direct.

Homewares Direct has a few locations, including Unley Road, Parkside…read more It offers a great range of good quality, well-priced kitchen items including, top notch saucepans, electrical goods and other great gadgets. There are also oodles of gift ideas here. The best thing about Homewares Direct is the fantastic service. Unfortunately many customers are making use of this service by asking for advice on products and then purchasing them online. I fear for the future of small, locally owned business like this if people continue to do their research at boutique stores and then shop online to save a few dollars. I guess we'll see if stores like this can survive competing with the department store 40-50% off sales as well as online stores with lower overheads. There is plenty of parking on-site. Keep an eye out for there occasional sale sign out the front. If you get in when the time is right, you'll get an even better bargain.

Being DJs, we have *always* wanted a fantastic, fancy wall unit to store our CDs. When I left my…read morelast job and received a prorata payment, the first thing I did was contact a couple of local companies for quotes. Nick was friendly, polite and prompt, and supplied us with a very competitive quote and a drawing so we could visualise the design. The unit was constructed in his factory, so only took a few hours to put together in our home. It looks amazing!! Beautiful clean lines and incredibly stylish - very high standard of workmanship. Everyone who has seen it has asked who the company was, so he'll probably get lots of referred business from us ;) I would definitely contact Nick again if we ever needed anything else!

From the owner: N B Kitchens, specialise in custom built kitchens, laundries and bathroom vanities, concentrating…read moreon quality, value for money workmanship without the high price tag. We offer a large selection of materials, colours and textures for your doors, bench tops and vanities, allowing you to choose from a traditional or modern look. We can incorporate all of the latest storage solutions into your project, including pull out pantry's, Lazy Susan's, wine racks, pull out bins etc, the ideas are endless. We are happy to work in with your preferred tradespeople, or if you don't have your own we can arrange all of that for you to ensure a smooth completion to your project. See more at: www.nb-kitchens.com

As far as the old saying 'kid in a candy store' is applicable to adults, Hillbilly's Country Living…read moreis my jam. I LOVE IT!!! So much fun poking around the narrow aisles looking at all of the cool kitchen-y things and wishing I had a squillion dollars to buy the whole shop! Every time we need something for the kitchen (be it a proper meat thermometer, new oven mitts, egg rings for the perfect fried egg on Sunday morning) we have hit HCL. WIthout fail they have come through with the goods too. That's a strike rate I can get behind as a customer! The service is helpful and friendly and as far as a one-stop shop for gifts to give hard-to-buy-for people, HCL has got you covered. Nicely. I can't imagine something that HCL DOESN'T stock! Honestly, the range is phenomenal. I went in to buy a meat thermometer just before Christmas last year - Bam! 4 choices of different digital thermometers and a couple of cheeky analogue numbers in case you wanted to rock your temperatures old school! Love your work HCL! You know I'll be back!!! \m/

Hillbilly's were once located in Blackwood on the Woolworths shopping centre side of Shepherds Hill…read moreRd but have moved to a much larger premises and a very suited one. I haven't been to their new location until yesterday and I definiltely approve the move, it's light and airy with a good all round range of kitchen and cookware and plus plenty of gift ideas to choose from, which will never go out of fashion. For the past few months I've been carrying around with me in my bag, a rubber seal for my s/s stovetop espresso in the hope someone will stock the size. No luck to find a replacement until Hillbilly's came to the rescue for a grand total of $2.20 and now I can once again enjoy my espresso coffee. I also purchased a mini grater because sometimes it comes in handy as I don't want to use a huge grater for a small piece of chocolate or nutmeg, etc. And a mid size preserve jar for my homemade lemon curd. There's a primal urge to cook and provide food for the family whenever I enter a kitchenware store, thinking of all things I can make and bake but it's the cleaning up I hate!

Not the best bunnings in Adelaide as they don't have serious woodworking tools here but they still…read morehave a pretty good plant selection, tool shop, paint and electrical section. They also have the whole Fiskars gardening range here and a pretty good trade area. Not open as late as the Mile End warehouse so check their hours online. I'd say this is a medium sized bunnings. Mile End is the biggest I have visited and Kent Town is the smallest. Mt Barker bunnings is between those two in size. Regular sausage sizzles on Saturdays and Sunday's.

From the owner: Lowest Prices Are Just The Beginning...read more