Mt Eden's best design stores

VIVA Mt Eden The Bloc Photographer / Anna Lee

KEY POINTS:

• For cutting-edge decor and innovative design, shop Mt Eden’s design stores.

Did you know Mt Eden is a design mecca?

Famous for that sensational mountain-top view and abundance of groovy cafes, the suburb is quietly sitting on a hub of some of the city's top design destinations. From mid-century modern furniture to charming antique stores and slick designer showrooms, there's something to suit everyone's taste.

Shop your way through some of our favourite spots near the summit.

THE BLOC

20 Normanby Rd, ph (09) 631 0916.
Design destination The Bloc is every interior aficionado's dreamland. With a variety of smaller stores within the multi-level space, you can browse a range of wares then relax with a coffee upstairs at Cool Food Cafe. Shop for raw linens and beeswax candles at Father Rabbit and beautifully minimal objects at Douglas and Bec, pop into Peppin Boutique for cute New Zealand-made babywear or wander through to World Beauty and leave smelling divine. The choice is yours!

The Vintage Shop; Antique Alley. Pictures / Anna Lee, Supplied.

THE VINTAGE SHOP

359 Dominion Rd, ph (09) 630 0038.
Mid-century modern furniture lovers will be delighted to discover this unassuming hub on Dominion Rd. The Vintage Shop owners Haley Doreen and John Mai scour the globe hand-picking the best mid-century Scandinavian inspired furniture, from rosewood sideboards and wing-armed leather sofas to striking Danish burnt orange flacon light shades. A must-stop little shop.

ANTIQUE ALLEY

240 Dominion Rd, ph (09) 630 5979.
First established by David Brettell in 1971, this family owned shop - now run by his son Gareth - has been a heavy hitter in Auckland's antique business for more than 40 years. A treasure trove teeming with junk and gems, the unusual and the unique, here you'll discover towers of teacups and corners crammed with collectables. Unearth delicate silver bowls and little butter dishes, costume jewellery, teapots and snuff boxes or extravagant oil paintings, pre-World War I militaria and antique weapons.

The Studio of Tableware; Shibui Interiors. Pictures / Anna Lee, Supplied.

THE STUDIO OF TABLEWARE

5 Harold St, ph (09) 638 8082.
The Studio of Tableware has been devoted to adorning Kiwi table tops since 1981. With more than 30 years in the business and an emphasis on dinnerware, glassware and cutlery, you'll find everything from high-end silver plated pieces to more affordable items, across brands such as Christofle, Rosenthal and Lenox and even Versace crockery - if you're after something a little bit fancy.

SHIBUI INTERIORS

591 Mt Eden Rd, ph (09) 623 2727.
If you're looking to update your living space, Shibui Interiors should be at the top of your hit-list. Alongside an in-house interior design service offering spatial concepts, colour consultancy, custom-made furniture and flooring and lighting ideas there is a selection of home accessories, throws and Asian antiques - everything you need to give your home a slick autumn revamp.

ECC, Cite. Pictures / Supplied.

ECC

39 Nugent St, ph (09) 379 9680.
Home to an extensive range of designer European lighting and furniture, ECC is a must for anyone in the market for refined luxury fused with striking and innovative design. With owner Mike Thorburn travelling annually to Milan to hunt out the best from leading international designers you won't leave empty handed - though perhaps with a slightly lighter wallet. Delight in the stylishly sleek lines of the showroom and admire the mirrored bronze-topped delights by Tom Dixon, minimalist marble delights by Minotti and plush walnut Canaletto wooden sofas by Giorgetti.

CITE

18 Normanby Rd, ph (09) 623 9233.
Cite's light and airy Mt Eden showroom is the perfect place to shop for leading international furniture brands such as Vitra, Modulor and Actiu. Established in 2001, the state-of-the-art custom furniture showroom offers quality and aesthetically unique pieces for the commercial and individual workplace.

NBK Art Gallery. Picture / Supplied.

NKB ART GALLERY

455 Mt Eden Rd, ph (09) 623 1464.
Fine art dealer NKB Gallery is home to a range of emerging and established home-grown artists. With an exhibition focus, the gallery is constantly updated with new pieces added monthly. It has a free consultancy for the first-time buyer looking to invest, or just stand back and admire the contemporary art and sculptures. Be sure to pop in and view Tangled Up In Blue, until March 10 with work from Adrian Jackman, Neal Palmer, Freeman White and more.

- VIVA