I have to admit, I wasn't the one who actually found this ingenious store. My dog did! Yup, my…read more13-year old westie, Kaspa sniffed his way to this cool store called Scout and promptly went in and was immediately smitten by a life sized westie dog lamp which was sitting prominently in the window. It was really funny actually and the owner was quite intrigued by this. Thankfully he was a dog lover so Kaspa's inquisitive antics didn't bother him. Scout has a unique ambience that makes you feel like you've stepped into someone's cool home. A selection of unique homeware from what a hoot owl cushions, animal shaped lamps from Germany, everyday linen, summery beach towels and gorgeous bed linen are scattered around thee store. If you find this shop, make sure you get a good look at the wall art on the inside wall depicting a kid playing with a kite. It's a stunning display that the owner created himself using wool thread! Now that's what I call creative ingenuity!

If you like the idea of having unique bits and pieces about your house... vintage refurbed chairs,…read moreantique keys and old street signs but don't like the idea of having to search through dusty junk shops and grotty yards, then Scout may be the store for you. Carefully curated in a beautifully sunfilled store, Scout's contents are each worthy of a moment of your time. The store smells gorgeous... it's clean and lovingly displayed, too. I found myself sticking my nose in a number of candles, inhaling soaps and fondling curiosities. Of course, there's an opportunity cost to be worn with frequenting a store like Scout. Naturally, you're going to pay more for the pleasure of being in a beautiful store that has carefully selected wares rather than hunting them down yourself. Secondly, Scout is a rather small little shop so whilst it has a large variety of things, it doesn't have the range that other similar stores may. Nonetheless, worth a visit!

Lock up your wallets! This place will tempt you with their beautiful bed linens, funky cushions,…read moreAesop products and nifty nic-nacs. I love browsing in here and it's high on my list of places to visit when I need a house warming gift, birthday present or a personal indulgence. My most recent purchase was a giant pillow that is filled with duck and goose feathers and makes my bedroom feel like a classy hotel room.

Nest Homewares stands apart from the other homewares stores on this South Melbourne strip. Selling…read moreunique screen printed linens, cushions and nursery items - you won't find many double ups here in other stores. The nursery/baby items are cute - hand drawn animals adorning sheet sets, bibs and hats. Perfect for gifts. I got a beanie for my baby niece that knots at the top so she could still wear it while her head grew. It's the kind of place that is too cute to let my Mum near unless I want her not-so-subtle hints about wanting grandchildren. Baby stuff aside, they have high quality manchester for adults, a limited clothing range and stock Aesop products. Not a cheap place to shop, but great for special items or highlight pieces.

"The greatest collection of everything but nothing in particular." How aptly said. This is the…read moretagline from the Supply and Demand store website. Yet, as a home ware store, Supply and Demand does its jobs well enough and offers a huge range of crockery and cutlery, napkins, table matter, candle holders, vases, tea towels, bathroom gear, art and selected pieces of furniture. It also carries a great range of vintage inspired tin signs, plenty of glassware and bits and bobs to give your home a fun, quirky appeal. I absolutely love the French inspired vintage garb, new (old) milk crates, milk bottles and the elegant collection of affordable provincial style décor items. And even though the shop is quite cluttered (and it will take you some time to soak in the atmosphere), it is because of this that Supply and Demand is so much fun to shop in. Great for gifts and picking up home décor items that you don't necessarily need but just add a fun touch to your décor scheme.

If you are a devoted interiors person like I am want to be, Supply & Demand does fill in the gaps…read more A great go- to place for a wide variety of homewares at heavily discounted prices. Some are contemporary, some provincial, some industrial, some retro kitsch... You get the idea here. It does offer a lot, and they seem to be working on their layout of things, which these days seem more grouped according to style and also function. Yay visual merchandising! Makes for a more pleasant buying experience. True, a selection of the items sold do make you wonder about the longevity and overall quality, but like I said, an interior stylists needs the range to work with, within budget and most importantly looks great and looks the part that they are crafting in terms of achieving the style. Good stylists know that you do NOT put a room together with things from ONE single store alone even though you could and no one will stop you. But beware the raised eyebrow! Sometimes, things just need to look good from a distance. The staff mostly leave you alone until you approach the counter with your goods. Still, don't really expect the ultimate customer service here. They have an offshoot store on High Street, Armadale called Industria which focuses more on, you guessed it, industrial furniture and home wares.

so, I recently had a frustrating experience with Third Drawer Down while trying to purchase a gift…read morefor a friend. The item I wanted didn't include dimensions, so I reached out via email and phone to get this essential information. Initially, I called and was transferred multiple times, eventually providing my number for a callback that never came. After waiting three days without a response, I emailed again but received no reply. I decided to give it some time over the weekend and tried again the following week. Finally, someone provided the dimensions, and I went ahead with the purchase. However, after a week and a half without any shipping updates, I emailed for an update since I had already been charged. I received vague communication indicating that someone would follow up, but no one did. After another follow-up, I requested a refund if shipping details weren't forthcoming. I received a refund shortly after, but again, with no further communication from the company. Overall, my experience with Third Drawer Down has been extremely disappointing. The lack of customer service and communication throughout the process has left me feeling frustrated. I do not recommend this company--it's best to steer clear.

Absolute scam site. Ordered an item and box arrived without it. When I emailed them they claimed…read more"the warehouse doesn't have it in stock". Site still has the item available for purchase though. I emailed them multiple times and I still haven't gotten my money back. I still have not received a response from their trash-tier customer service. Stay away!

One of my favourite places to get inspired, buy gifts for friends and bits and bobs for my wardrobe…read moreor home. Craft Victoria celebrates local artists and it certainly the place to go if you want to take a gift interstate or overseas. There's beautiful jewelry (my favourites are hand painted porcelain beads by Abby Seymour), ceramics, knitted hats and scarves, craft and design books and lots of cute cards if you want to complete the gift giving experience. Their window display is always a treat too... even if it's late at night and closed, it's nice to peer in to the window and dream about having a designer home filled with expensive hand crafted goodies.

I went into Craft Victoria to see the gallery and not the shop. This is not knitting granny craft…read morebut the most avant-garde and progressive craft in Victoria, it is more like contemporary art than anything grandma would recognize. There are three exhibitions in the long narrow gallery spaces; the exhibitions change every six weeks. Even though I have went there to see the exhibitions I still have to have a look around the shop area in case I see that perfect gift for someone. There isn't - maybe next time. Craft Victoria is also a great place to find out more information about art exhibition openings. I leave with the free InTrouble magazine and some exhibition invite cards.

I like to joke with people I know that fashion is my victim, but really I'm just a fashion victim…read more And try as I might, I am too easily swayed by trends. And so I love 20th Century Scandinavia. It's so obviously the style of furniture to have right now, and if it wasn't obvious before, just take a look at the price tags attached to each bloody Eames chair. It's hard to deny that this era of Scandinavian furniture is particularly elegant, stylish and urban without looking at all try-hard or copycat, and it does fit so easily into Melbourne homes of a certain era. The furniture is this large beautifully laid-out store is all top quality stuff in exceptional condition and so the prices shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. If I could afford it, I so would.

This is the most amazing place that I pass by on my way to work. I start work before it opens. I…read morefinish long after it closes. So it took me a few tries to actually get into the place, and I can safely say that I'm thankful I did. Even just to pass through the amazing furniture, to smell the history, class and price tag of the all the bits arranged beautifully so. There is a fashion trend visible here, a wave the shop seems to sit confidentiality upon. The way it juxtaposes the Scandinavian furniture with nostalgic Melbournian signage gives you a little bit of time warp, a small black hole in your design history. Have these pieces always belonged together. I cannot say I have ever bought anything from here, but I like to think I will some day. It looks and feels amazing and well kept, and the lady behind the desk - sometimes feeling a little like part of the furniture - looks up and smiles to every customer that enters.

Nestled among the eclectic range of staple stores in Elsternwick, Costanzo & Costabile Interiors…read morestands out among the crowd because of its chic home products and interior flair. Everytime I pass by, i always do a double take because this store is always filled with beautiful homeware and décor. Think the likes of Mediterranean blue consoles, buffets and side tables, gorgeous gold table lamps, solid wood storage chests, large hurricane lamps and thick wood framed mirrors. Themed together and styled well so you can be inspired, walk through this store and you'll find a multitude of clever ideas and exquisite products to adorn your home with. I love the rustic charm of the timber pieces juxtaposed against the more modern finishing pieces. They also carry a beautifully wide assortment of candle holders and hurricane lamps which would give any dining space, mantle place, patio or living room that romantic, serene vibe.

The most amazing jewellery store I've been into in Melbourne (and I've been into plenty). Just…read morelike a gallery - full of exquisite and artistic pieces for the woman who likes to make a statement. Most recently for me was a big bubble necklace made of clear glass. Complete with staff who know their craft and don't make you feel awkward. Whether you're wanting to buy a special piece or to simply spend a lazy Saturday looking at beautiful things... Bini is the place for you (and conveniently situated near iconic Gertrude Street).