Now that I have a name for my obsession with finding vintage bric a brac and preloved furniture I thought I would share a few of my favourite Australian places to indulge my need to “chiner”.

Empire Vintage is the heavenly domain of Melbourne’s Lyn Gardener. Faded vintage beauties are to be found in her Albert Park, Melbourne emporium. Lyn lives what she sells. Her passion for the beauty and elegance from a more genteel past is obvious but the modern twist is there as well. No grandma’s lavender water nightmares. More like her naughty past catching up with us. Pop over to her website for more inspiration.

davidmetnicole is Sydney’s “chiner” heaven. The found object and the mundane take on a new beauty when viewed through proprietors’, David and Nicole Page, eyes. Exercise clubs and dice, fire buckets and watch faces. No vignette is complete without that vintage globe or letterpress type. A treasure trove of the unusual and the striking awaits you at their Surry Hills, Sydney store. Check out more here.

Another Sydney fav is Mao & More. If like me your craving for all things Chinoiserie extends all the way to communist propaganda the Mao & More is for you. This eccentric collection is colourful, fun and certainly a statement. For silk shades. Lacquer chests, antique pieces and that bust of Mao to perch on top then click on over to Mao & More

Scandinavian mid-century classics more your style then The Great Dane will be your idea of heaven. With stores in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne they are Australia’s premier purveyors of vintage scandi design. Like all goods things though they are not cheap. Perhaps not a true place to “chiner” but I love pressing my nose against the window and dreaming of owing a Danish rosewood credenza. Their website has me drooling every time I visit.

While we’re off the track with retro check out Mondo Trasho. I want everything in their store!

And a final favourite is Surround, the hippest happening shop in St Kilda, Melbourne. Vintage furniture, repurposed finds, their own designs and select pieces from around the world. A dream shop for that funky retro look with a touch of humour and lashings of cool.”

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