Opening times  – Monday: Closed,  Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30am – 5:30pm, Sunday: Closed 

Another great find in Clifton is Soma, a design led gallery featuring unusal and striking local and national designers, jewellery makers and artists. They also hold exhibitions and invite local artists and designers to submit work for consideration.

 Soma stocks Tatty Devine jewellery (above) as well as a collection of unusual posters and prints. Secret Shopping rather fancies the cute Camila Prada ceramics such as this little Pepe and Friends ‘Sir Randolf’ Egg Cup for £9.

 Nominated by Heidi-Seeky, Bath

If you have a penchant for Mexican folk art, then Otomi is totally your bag. Full to bursting with fair trade Mexican imports, Mexican Food, Mexican Jewellery, Frida Kahlo-inspired folk art, Day of The Dead art, textiles, furniture, tiles, mirrors and more, then it’s a must visit shop.

Tucked away in the lesser known Clifton Arcade, Otomi has shipments from Mexico every three months and also sells seasonal items such as hand painted metal Christmas trees and nativity sets. You can even be added to their email list for fresh tortillas.

If you need a fix on a Sunday, you can even head over to the Tobacco Factory Market on the 1st Sunday of the month between 10.30am-2.30pm – this is located on Raleigh Rd, Southville, Bristol.

Nominated and photgraphed by Trillbilly, Bristol/Texas

In My Room is a cool little shop that can be found in trusty, old  North Laine, Brighton. Another well-loved addition to sit beside the Lolipop Shoppe. This place is great for true retro lovers and offers the discerning design palate both furniture and gadjets to satisfy those with a craving for the rounded form.  The fantastic ‘Love hearts’ ceramic wall art (above ) is a great example of how this shop mixes up its retro groove with a splash of tongue in cheek (pardon the pun) modern design – and not a bad price either ( £75 but be warned, there is a waiting list!) Or how about getting the ice for your Christmas cocktails out of this rather cool ice bucket? (price on request)

If furniture is your thing, this uber-comfy chair is the business,  coupled with the videosphere below, you will be able to harness the spirit of Blofeld (white cat optional)

 The owners have a real eye for unusual retro design and update the stock reguarly (it obviously sells fast!) so keep checking back to see what’s in store.

Nominated by Tyler, Brighton.

Another addition to the wonderful Haarlemmerstraat – Wini.

Full of fabulous retro and vintage clothing and accessories, Wini is really well priced.  It also stocks an excellent range of vintage fabrics particularly lovely 50s patterned material.

I had my eye on a lovely skirt and bought some silk scarves too – there was plenty to choose from and the shop is always updating its stock – a must for any vintage fan and a great range of seventies sportswear (Adidas and Reebok etc.)

I will add the web address as soon as I can find it!

Nominated by Verity Gee

Open: Monday- Friday 11:00-17:30 & Saturday 11:00-18:00

Another Amsterdam gem of a shop. Mono sells tees and funky bags, purses and belts. Great for presents with a customised feel.

This bag is €39 while this cute purse is a snip at €5.

Nominated by Saskia J, Netherlands

Another excellent Amsterdam shop for your delectation. Nestled between two famous canals lies Lelie Gracht, and in amongst the picturesque houses lies Egg Mercantile.

They sell some simply exquisite pieces of design, from trays and ceramic ornaments to wall hangings accessories. For example, how about some good old fashioned animalia? Check out these large serving trays from ibride (above) I particualrly like the Crow Conquistador – very ornithological-theatrical – and guaranteed to be a talking point at your cocktail party.

And this set of 4 cast porcelain flying birdies below are handmade in Denmark by Trine Weng and Susan Liebe, otherwise known as the Casalinga team. They cost €55 and provide an interesting and modern take on the three flying ducks.

Or what about Élise Lefebvre’s “Wonderland” collection of woodland creature immortalised in porcelain? I love the little fox pendant but the birdies and piggies are super cute too (€65)

Now, I don’t know about you, but I am a fan of surprises, and the clever and creative Lola Goldstein’s sweet range of porcelin ‘creatures’ just makes me smile. I love, love, love the little nut fellow (below.)

Finally, Lyndie Dourthe’s  beautiful ‘Oiseaux’ brooches (inspired by the images taken from the 17th & 18th Century encyclopedia illustrations) are simply divine – and only €26 each!

Nominated by Verity Gee

The Norman Road in St. Leonards -on-Sea in East Sussex is a street (well road) full of fabulous shops from vintage and retro furniture and fabrics to quirky gift emporiums and even a super funky dog paradise.  According to our Nominee, this super-hip street is the East Coast’s best kept secret.  While each individual shop has it’s own unique identity,  its the dedicated Norman Road website that makes this place so special, like a little design community all of its own. Here are just some of the funky shops you can visit:

Kids will love Love – a  gift shop with a difference. Created by Rosie and Ed, the so-called ‘Love Team’ there is a treasure trove of fripperies to be found such as the Pirate clothing range and accessories and for girls who love a bit of sparkle, Rosie’s hand made coloured mirrors are super-cute.

This funky furniture shop is jam-packed with design icons from the 60s and 70s to give your home a retro injection.

This eclectic design, homewares and interiors shop and gallery has just re-opened after a phenomenally succesful first year of trading. Check them out if you like quirky design in all its forms.

Bombarock -  Hastings Antique Centre, 59-61 Norman Road, St Leonard’s on Sea, TN38 0EG – 01424 428 561 – 07958 611910 – george@bombarock.co.uk - Open: Mon-Sat 9:00-5:30

Bombarock creates bespoke pieces of furniture and offers a fab range of fun, funky vintage fabrics mixed with a vibrant punky attitude which makes these one-off pieces a real find. They also stock bags, soft furnishings and textile items for the home (we like the rather sumptuous rose screen below.) Please let us know if you want us to feature any other Norman Road shops!

  Nominated by Dan Martin.

Up to You – 1483 Queen Street East, Canada - 001-416-778-6487 UPTOYOU@bellnet.ca

Open: Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday & Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m

Up To You is what Secret Shopping embodies – not just a shop but a whole shopping experience! Founded by brother and sister team Bill and Dimitra Doufekas, the concept was borne out of a dream of creating a shop that would inspire both the eyes and mind, and judging by the wealth of fab products, they seem to have hit the nail on the head. Even the premises are like wondering through someone’s actual home – fab! From homeware and lighting to clothing and jewellery, Up to You is well stocked with caredully selected items from across the globe – below are a few choice pickings…

Nominated by Dimitra

If you like your design shops on the unusual side, you will LOVE Kwikshop. Part design boutique, part petrol station-style hatch, you don’t even have to enter to buy your goodies. Prices are more than reasonable, items are certainly unique but really, it’s the KwikShop experience that is worth the visit.

Take these rather swish boots – only €35, and this super cute ‘diamond ring’ stamp for your finger is only €5! Bargain. Plus there are more cool shops and funky cafés than you can shake a stick at in this district so you can browse to your heart’s content.

Nominated by Verity Gee

Dudua is the place to go in Barcelona for unique handmade goods in a quirky setting. From homeware and stationary to fashion, jewellery and art. This cool crafty concept store doubles as an art gallery.

Products to tempt you include this €2 wrapping paper by Ice Cream Social is so cool and comes in ‘labios’ (lips) ‘Gafas’ (glasses) Zapatos (shoes) Lazoz (bows) and Macquillage (make-up).

 And I rather fancy this cute “Sweetberries” painting (€100)

This is defintley one worth checking out!

Nominated By Verity G, Bristol