Mud Mee had some very pretty dresses within a simple and elegant small shop…read more They sell a small range of quality stock as opposed to the overwhelming racks of colour in some of its neighbouring Newtown women's fashion stores. They lured us inside with "Sale! 60% off" signs, although we failed to find any sale stock inside. Not that this mattered too much, as the prices here are still reasonably cheap, with most of the re-designed vintage dresses selling for $59. The only problem here? The shop across the road has similarly pretty dresses for $20 cheaper.

Clothes from Thailand imported to King Street Australia, I love to hear about thriving industries…read morein other countries. It's so easy to put the blinkers on and think that the world revolves around Australia. But actually noticing where items are made and where their inspiration comes from can be a real eye-opener. Mud Mee is on a corner on King Street, it is very close to the Newtown train station and even about 300m from Erskineville station. I am drawn to the glitzy silver and sequenced dresses they have here. We don't get a lot of that designed locally, so this shop can often be good for a piece that is quite striking. Their stock does change quite a bit and they often have sales racks which can be worthwhile going through. I saw some leather look jodpur leggings for only $25 - they were heavily discounted and yes they came home with me. Worth poking your head in through the door at Mud Mee.

If you like textiles, fabrics, design and gorgeous things then chances are you probably already…read morelove Chee Soon & Fitzgerald. This tiny interiors store on Crown Street stocks everything from furniture, wallpaper, lamps, bags and purses, cards, wrapping papers and all sorts of small design pieces. There's a good selection of designers wares including Marimekko and Georg Jensen as well as beautiful pieces by the stores own CSF brand. The owners are passionate and love to talk you through the pieces and the history of the store.

Textiles! Furniture!…read moreDecorative arts! These dapper chaps have been celebrating life and furnishings for 18 years, first at Surry Hills and then at the vanguard of the Redfern revival. As friendly as they are urbane, as urbane as they are storied, there's that much great fabric and lampshades and interesting schtuff in their little shop I feel like one of those kids with melted chocolate all over their hands that goes around touching everything. Massrs Chee Soon & Fitzgerald are also well down for a chat, pick their brains about the history of Surry Hills and the inner west, they're a font of artsy knowledge.

This Bon Doi store on King St has an offshoot store on Australia St which sells recycled and…read morere-designed clothing at fantastic prices. Whilst Bon Doi Crafts from the Orient also sells these sweet $39 dresses, re-designed using beautiful Japanese vintage material, they also boast a range of crafts from the Orient (really, the name says it all). The shop also stocks a wide range of colourful Sapa inspired skirts, jackets, hats and bags, including adorable kids booties and bonnets. These clothes are beautiful - I remember walking through the markets in Sapa, Vietnam being overwhelmed by the colours and intricate designs of their heavy clothes, gushing over the babies clothed head to toe in the traditional dress and leaving the markets with three Sapa-style bags and two Sapa-style blankets. The comparatively higher prices of the clothes here meant that this time I didn't leave with bags full of clothes and blankets. Although I still smiled at the idea of dressing a baby head to toe here and thus I have no doubt that this will happen one day soon. Bon Doi Crafts from the Orient also sell a bunch of cutesy crafts/toys, my favourite being pockets of felt monkeys and wall hangings with row of owls perched on a twig. You know, those useless things that you find yourself loving and needing.

I want an elephant lamp and a cat lamp, I don't know quite how to describe them specifically, but…read morethey are funky, cool, modern and stylish; so you will have to go to blueprint designs and see them for yourself. Blueprint is one of the most interesting shops in Potts Point, they have super cool array of home wares with a chic, funky, ultra modern sense of style. It would be difficult to find many of their products elsewhere. They have futuristic toasters, alienesque salt and pepper shakers, mind bending umbrellas (I particularly like the checked colour spectrum design). The shop is a good, large size space, it has kind of a jumbled feel, but I think that is more a result of the variance of style and level of stock, rather than actual jumble as it is well organised. Also if you call in at the moment they have some Andy Warhol books on sale! If you like me like unique stuff, this is a shop for you. Now if anyone wants to buy me that elephant lamp.....

The colours are a retail delight. The modern gift and homewares store on Macleay Street has a…read morewonderful variety of things to create and design your home. Modern drying racks, Umbra trash cans, and Reisenthel bags are some of the items that can be found and there are a couple of things that would be hard to find anywhere else in Sydney. The shop is well designed and I always like to peek in and see what new products they have to sell. I've found a couple of good gifts here (a travel wallet, jewelry holder and a photo album). They also have Jonathan Adler products, which I like (I try to see his shop in L.A. - Melrose and Crescent Heights - when I visit. If you're in need of some good and colourful modern interior design ideas and need a product to inspire you, Blueprint in Potts Point is a good place to start.

Gorgeous shop with everything you could possibly want! Really beautiful witchy stuff and not…read moretoooooo pricey

Okay, so we all don't like knick knacks and from the outside of this glorious shop in Newtown…read morethat's about all it looks like....But don't judge a shop by its cover, because inside you'll be consumed for hours. I had initially stopped by because I was looking for an oil burner, but what I found was so much more and left with an armful. There were pillows and African fabrics, Japanese china and Moroccan lamps, candles and jewellery, handwoven baskets and hand painted frames. The textures and smells hypnotized. I could see a spot for each found gem in my place at home. I need this right? I kept telling myself. The staff is friendly and the prices are affordable. Don't forget to head upstairs for larger pieces such as dressers and stools. They take cards and cash so don't worry and prepare to spend some time.

Set inside a historic arcade, The Bay Tree is one of those places you walk by and think 'oooohh'…read more The splashes of colour are enough to draw you inside and if you're a secret Suzie homemaker like me you'll be delighted by what you find. Cookwear, homeware, linen, glasswear, gifts and cards are packed into the grand old hallway. Most of the stock is on the overpriced side but I picked up a beautiful apron for $19.95. Admittedly it's a bit kitsch but I can't wait to wear it!

An iconic kitchenware store that is known as one of the best cookware stores in all of Sydney, The…read moreBay Tree can meet all your kitchenware needs and more. They have the best collection of bakeware, barware, dinnerware, and even home ware items that will have you wishing you could buy them all. Aside from their wide and high quality selection, you can be assured that their staff are friendly and knowledgeable. They are quick to assist and give you advice on what items are essential to complete your kitchen. From glassware to square ice cream scoops, The Bay Tree has it all. If you're creating a new kitchen or looking for a store to place your wedding registry, The Bay Tree is highly recommended.

The Bower is a characteristically quaint tin shed wholesaling and co-oping beautifully restored…read moreantiques and reminds me of all those antique gem warehouses you can find through Mittagong and Bowral. There's sets of chairs that are selling for $70 for the whole set. It's the perfect place to practice your Bower skills particularly if you renovating for your home or business and you need to find special pieces that are not too expensive. In any case its a good idea to commit some time but otherwise if you are hunting for anything in particular wander and forage through to really enjoy some time here. There is a park outside with benches were you can enjoy a coffee and snack at one of the cafes in the vicinity of The Bower either before or after your rummage. Enjoy!

If you're wondering where all these new hipster cafes are buying their furniture then look no…read morefurther than The Bower in Marrickville. Here you'll find all your retro kitchen furnishings, wooden ladders of all sizes, old record players (both dead and working), beautiful frames, cupboards, dressers and a seemingly endless range of frameless doors. The Bower is a treasure trove of junk and one of my favourite places to shop when furnishing rooms or searching for props/theatrical sets. Whilst most things in the shop are quite cheap, the small section of repaired/refurbished items at the front of the shop are a little pricier.

Found this antique home goods place in the Monocle travel guide for Sydney. I have high…read moreexpectations on furniture / decoration places and I didn't get disappointed here. Ici et la has beautiful old decoration objects from all over the world. From magical local shells to wooden and metal tables, chairs or lamp to handmade bags. Infact they have a seamstress in the store that creates blankets etc. with your initials. If I would live in Sydney, my interior design would be well influenced by this store.