Run by veteran antique dealer Paul Downs and his partner April, SWAG is a stylish and unique…read moreshowroom that displays distinctive pieces of antique furniture. Everything is sourced by the couple themselves and as a result, you'll find old leather arm chairs and 1930s sofas next to stainless steel cabinets, wooden chests, trunks and unusual lights. The quality and originality of the stock means the prices venture towards the expensive. For those with a smaller budget however, there's also a small selection of paintings, decorative letters, statues, world globes and mirrors. Since the couple are so friendly, it's also worth making them an offer if there's something you really want but can't quite stretch to.

On first glance I thought this antiques shop looked slightly austere, and in fact I wasn't even…read moresure it WAS an antique shop at first, so sparsely arranged and high quality is the furniture. However, on closer inspection Swag proves to be a very stylish showroom of the highest quality antique furniture and home furnishings. It is an unusual experience compared with many of Brighton's other secondhand furniture dealers, who generally inhabit musty, cavernous shops, characterised by clutter and chaos. Swag is clean and polished; full of 1930s and 1940s office and home furnishings that would fit perfectly in a Film Noir set. I particularly like the metal desk lamps...they really capture something of another time. Although I personally enjoy the rummaging treasure-hunt aspect of the more casual antique/ junk shops in town, I do admire the experience and precision and with which the owners have sourced their collection. The stock is beautiful, just a little pricey for me! A great place to find striking one-offs if you have money to burn.

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.

Abode is the perfect place to find homeware gifts for a loved one…read more Or for a loved one to find gifts for you! Situated about halfway down Kensington Gardens, it's charming boutique store that has lovely side tables, console tables, room dividers, fringe panels, floor lamps, table lamps, pigeon lights, marimekko fabrics, wall stickers, mirrors and luxury bedding. If you already have everything you need in the lounge and bedroom department, they also sell gorgeous kitchen and bath accessories from china, glasses, tea-pots and coasters to candles, soaps and towels. Don't know if they still have any in stock, but last time I went in I fell in love with the wicker bulls head and the Ibride ostrich console table.

Abode is a lovely little lifestyle boutique, which sells all sorts of fancy things for your home…read more Scented candles, velvet cushion covers, vases and more are laid out in uncluttered, attractive displays around the shop. They also sell small items of furniture, including some really classy wooden side tables and stools. Christmas is by far the best time to visit the store, as they have all sorts of beautiful decorations for your tree. They have a gorgeous selection, including gold Christmas trees and stars as well as some really beautiful glass decorations in the shape of parrots and other pretty birds. I bought a few last year in turquoise, white and gold and they really transformed my tree! In fact, they're so lovely that I've hung them up in my bedroom all year. Abode is a shop full of things you'd rarely buy yourself...quirky light fittings, gilded bird cages and some really delicate chinaware. It is almost impossible to walk around without starting a mental wish-list, making it the perfect place to start your Christmas list, whilst picking up a few gifts yourself! You can even create your wedding list at Abode! NB. Everything feels a bit delicate, so it's not a great place to bring the kids!

They closed WAY earlier than closing time and my sister just gave birth and we asked them to hold a…read moreblanket for my sister that they said to get today!! TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!

This is a great shop to pick up some quirky gifts or pieces for your home…read more I'm obsessed with their animal plant pot range that starts at only £7.99. Go check it out!

Such a cool shop with nice furniture selection.read more

Great home decor store with lots of options. Very stylish and reasonable prices.read more

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.

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.

Why shop around for that perfect rug to compliment your decor, when you can have one designed for…read moreyou - or even better, design one for yourself? That's what this fabulous little shop near Brighton station specialises in. You can choose from a bewildering array of patterns, in your choice of colour schemes, or design your own from scratch. Prices are extraordinarily reasonable. What's more, the shop makes a huge effort to ensure their carpets are made according to high labour standards, so you can shop with a clear conscience, too. They also have a range of rugs in stock. The staff are amazingly helpful and very friendly, and will guide you through the whole process. The web-site is an excellent guide to their services. The company also has a small shop in Epsom, south west of London.

Gaff advertise themselves as 'art for floors', and I wouldn't disagree…read more Whenever I walk past, they always seem to have a new window display. Everything from intricate flower designs, incredible modern art transposed into carpet form, geometric patterns.....anything you could want to put on your floor, they've got it. If you're after something a little plainer, they can do that too - I love the brightly coloured shag pile rugs. Best of all, if your pockets are deep enough, you can get your own design made up.

First of all: assess your budget…read more If you've got a few grand to spare: read on. If you're normal: you might as well not bother. Money aside, I'd vote Rume one of the best, if not the best, independent furniture store in Brighton. Amongst other things they stock two in-house ranges, Baker & Belgae and Jet Baker, that comprise everything from Victorian style Chesterfields to Opulent Chez Longs. They also stock various other pieces including lamps, clocks, cushions and cabinets. If you've serious cash then you can even get a bespoke item made to you exact specifications. If it wasn't so bloody expensive I'd be a bigger fan of this place but I can't give five stars to a business that charges over £3000 for a sofa.

Rume is one of those places that makes you wish you played the Lottery…read more An independent store selling stylish and eye-catching furniture, they sell classic chesterfields, chaise longues, day beds, corner sofas and arm chairs by established names and resident designers Jet Baker and Baker and Belgae. Laid out in an open, warehouse style space, they also sell cool and funky coffee tables, cabinets, dining tables, lamps and chandeliers. If I had a spare three and a half thousand, I'd be tempted to buy Mool's incredible, life-size horse lamp. It makes me laugh every time I see it and would shock visitors. In reality, my budget only stretches to Tom Dixon mirrorball lamps and their divine cushions. Should I pick the rabbit and lettuce ones or pigeon and jelly?

This is a fascinatingly strange place, specialising in elaborate masks…read more The range includes some wonderful examples of mask-making: bright colours, elaborate decoration, full feathers. The prices aren't as extortionate as you might expect either, and while some masks are pricey, others are available for under £20. The only problem is - what the heck would one do with these things? I'd quite like to own one, but I very much doubt it would get much use. Perphaps as a wall decoration?

There's something a touch Eyes Wide Shut about Mariposa…read more An old fashioned antique shop in the Lanes, it's been selling unique and chintzy figurines, ornaments, presentation plates, glass fruit bowls and lamps for the last two decades. The thing that dominates the walls and windows however, are an eye-catching array of handmade, papier mache masks with decorative feathers, glitter, silk and paint effects. According to the owner, some people buy them just for display purposes whilst others snap them up for balls, special occasions and fancy dress parties. Personally, I can't look at them without thinking of Stanley Kubrick, Tom Cruise and amoral sex games with masked strangers.