Think Provincial Home Living without the exorbitant high price tags, and you've got a good idea of…read morewhat Fusion Loft is all about. Contemporary, modern pieces, orient inspired themes or go back to the Victorian era, any sort of theme for home decor and interior design is located at Fusion Loft. Every piece is classic and therefore the shop is quite eclectic in style; it's not overladen with useless junk, they stock furniture and furnishings that are unique and of high quality. At the moment I'm in love with black and white canvas prints, Fusion Loft have a beautiful assortment of famous landmarks and Hollywood glamour prints including Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Check out the range of chest boxes also. Parisian designs, Audrey Hepburn in black and white and many other themes; they're all just beautiful and a very crafty way of storing away unsightly objects in your home that have no other place to live. Beautiful lighting and antique furniture, as well as jewellery. If I could live in this shop, I would.

A step up from a tip shop and a whole floor below the pretension of high-end vintage stores this…read moreplace is worth a look for affordable kitsch. This shop houses weird and random curios, collectibles, knick-knacks and bric a brac that makes it difficult to classify any other way than a "Secondhand Store". Think frames, wardrobe doors, mirrors, lamps, 80's crockery, records, tapes, pot plant holders etc. It isn't a large space but they have managed to utilise every inch including the backyard of the building. Situated in that no man land stretch of High st between Northcote and Thornbury it is definitely worth a look for collectors of "stuff".

One of the best gift shops in the hills, Mangana is like shopping in an old eccentric's house…read more These guys combine gifts and homewares with industrial and period style decorations for those with the coin to afford it. Lamps, frames, clocks and mirrors line the walls, and with so much on display you'd best watch your back to avoid breaking anything. Downstairs you'll find smaller trinkets, jewellery and even a wall full of Ugg Boots and leather hats. I stop in every time I'm in the area, even just for a browse. It's hugely popular with the weekend tourists, and more often than not, packed full of people enjoying the range.

I recently visited Mt Dandenong and accidentally stumbled into this store (okay I was curious…read morethanks to the mounds of people pilling in and out of the front doors). It was like being sucked into a time machine, and transported back into a dusty old attic that was filled to the rim of incredible individual antique items. There were compasses, telescopes, magnifiers, lamps, paintings, posters, books, sculptures, notepads, jewelry and pretty much anything you can think of. Most things were hand crafted and bronze or wooden, this is definitely a very unique and one of a kind type of place. I think I spent an hour in this shop, its not that it was a huge room (it was relatively large though), it's just that every inch of the store has something different and special that just has to be picked up and ogled at. It took a lot of effort to not buy the whole store; I ended up leaving with Dali's melting clock, which gets a lot of notice and compliments in my house.

I can whole heartedly recommend Thomas & Co. to anyone looking for something a little more unique…read morethan is ordinarily found in homewares stores in Australia. Beyond the vast (and eclectic) range of goods, the service from all staff is exceptional. They are truly willing to go well beyond expectations to make absolutely certain you are happy with your purchase. Having purchased a custom made Salon couch from these folks (that ended up not fitting in the house - long story, but the store is looking after the issue perfectly), I can honestly not sing their praises highly enough. I've read a few reviews from unhappy customers and simply can't understand how their situations arose - you'd really have to try to have a negative experience here.

Thomas Gannan is one of those great shops that just seems to attract people. From its clever window…read moredisplays and quirky products, it certainly seems to have a lot going on. And this is very true. The busy store carries a wide range of homeware - from dazzling lighting, jazzy cushions, trendy table matter, witty décor pieces and functional kitchen ware. It also has a lovely range of children's toys, room accessories and gifts. But more importantly, Thomas Gannan carries a good mix of exclusive Jardan sofas and stunning Arthur G lounges. It also features a selection of environmentally sustainable Australian timber furniture, which can be custom made to suit your needs. I've bought quite a few presents from this store and have always been impressed by the service. It's not often that a sales person asks whether you would like a new piece but they do here!

Coco Republic takes me to Los Angeles and shops on Melrose Avenue - delightful pieces with a high…read moreend look (yes, you will pay a decent sum for their goods) made with quality and friendly people to boot! Their focus on you and your designs will ensure you will not leave without some excellent recommendations - even if you are not buying at that moment.

Coco Republic is as Ralph Lauren is to fashion - classic designer furniture with a quiet style and…read moreexquisite finish. Walk through the Melbourne showroom and you're guaranteed to be transported to another world. Perhaps it's the large range of classic designer pieces dressed in luxurious fabrics with a high attention to detail that does it, or the warm, inviting ambience that makes you feel so at home. The excellently styled spaces with a clever mix of decor and functional pieces also helps you envision and be inspired when shopping for your home. Whether you're looking to buy a decadent sofa, an exquisite dining table or the crème de la crème of occasional furniture, Coco Republic will impress on all counts. But remember, quality furniture like this belongs in million dollar homes. So if you're like me, perhaps just go there to be inspired and then come back to reality and dream your dream home. You never know, one day, I too might have a Coco republic furnished home. We can have dreams you know!

I am deeply in lust with almost everything in this shop. Unlike Industria on Gertrude Street, the…read morefurniture in Nook feels really warm and homely. It's possibly because it's a smaller space and there is a lot of wood and primary colours. Whatever the reason, it's a totally gorgeous shop. The owners have clearly got a bit of a fetish for medical chic with everything from ointment bottles to a vintage first aid cabinet - very cute. There's also vintage clothes and accessories, and heaps of Brittannia owing to the English owners. The prices are pretty reasonable, and when I expressed an interest in an adorable industrial stool the lovely lady (who's name I can't remember despite chatting to for a good half an hour) offered to knock off $50 so clearly there's room to bargain. It's still not as cheap as some eBay vintage stores or flea markets, but given it's pre-curated and in such a central location it's good value. Besides, on my past few trips to Camberwell Market I've found the prices obscene and stall holders unwilling to barter.

Things to do once I win the Tattslotto:…read more 1. Pay off my credit card 2. Maybe throw some money at my parents 3. Head to Nook Vintage and redecorate my house I say this because I doubt I will ever have the money to buy anything from here. But hey, isn't that the same as every other vintage furniture store in Melbourne? This is a very small shop that stocks some very exciting stuff - wooden chairs, vintage cabinets, oversized pigeonhole shelves and old school luggage trunks galore. A great place to head if you are looking for a bit of inspiration or if you just love a good window shop! But if you are lucky enough to be able to afford anything from Nook Vintage I don't think we can be friends. Sorry.

What a gorgeous shop front. Those windows! And that's just the exterior…read more Inside, it's even better. The ground floor is full of mint condition mid-20th-century furniture. Beautiful pieces of furniture in such good nick can demand a high price and they do. Knowing I can't afford much on this floor, I usually cast a quick glance over the goods just as a treat to my eyes, and then head up the stairs to the vintage clothes. I'm always pleasantly surprised by the prices here. For this location on Smith Street, the stall holders could really ask for more for their vintage finds, but they don't, and I for one, am not only grateful, but feel vindicated for being annoyed at retailers for upping the price tag just because they can. This is how it should be done. Beautiful store filled with earthly delights for all the enjoy (and possess).

A treasure trove of antiques and vintage furniture, if you wanted the decor of Mad Men all you need…read moreto do is visit the Smith Street Bazaar. Beautiful tables, sleek chairs and intricate sideboards are scattered throughout the enormous store. There are also some fantastic lamps, tea sets and vases, that look as thought they belong in your grandparents houses in the 1950s and 1940s. Up towards the back is a modest clothing section that has a great range of shoes, bags and accessories too (90s backpacks are back in people!). They also have an impressive range of costume jewellery. It isn't surprising that the Smith Street Bazaar always has some devoted retro fans or artists crawling through and marveling at the woodwork or kitsch posters. Last week I was very tempted by a slick wooden chair that was low, sexy, and remarkably modern, but with a price of $700 (quite reasonable for a quality piece but a mere dream to a student), I unfortunately had to kiss that beautiful piece of work goodbye. One day when I have an income and a house, I'll buy some furniture from the Smith Street Bazaar. But until then, it's always a pleasure to just look.

If retro trinkets, cut crystal and random antique ornaments are your cup of tea then make hast to…read moreHeidelberg Road Vintage Bazaar. This place is loaded with them, with dozens of cabinets choc-full to suit all sorts of tastes and wild collecting habits you have. If you're after retro furniture, the you should try your luck as there is an okay selection here, though it's in no way as vast as the trinkets on offer. The prices seem reasonable, perhaps because this isn't hipster territory so do pay a visit if you're in the market for something cool for our house.