Design: Online retail therapy

Time for some retail therapy. Photo / Thinkstock

Ben Crawford finds the pick of the online design store sites

There's only so much window-shopping you can do, right? The more you look, the more you want. Your credit card fights harder and harder to unleash itself from the depths of your pocket with every page you turn on a lifestyle magazine or every step you take in a furniture store.

A few weeks ago I listed some of my favourite sources of online inspiration, a collection of drool-inducing websites packed full of stuff you wish you owned. But none of these sites had a buy-now button.

Well, this week I thought I'd help satisfy that itch somewhat by sharing some of my favourite online design stores; the places I often go to pick up bits for my apartment or gifts for friends and family.

Cintesi

Overloaded with seating options from school chairs to replica Tolix stools and everything in between, Cintesi is my go-to for designer places to sit without the big price tags to match. They also have showrooms in Auckland and Tauranga; check out their website for the details.

Collected by LeeAnn Yare

LeeAnn is a well-regarded interiors stylist, writer and TV presenter and you might recognise her as one of the judges from Mitre 10 Dream Home. Collected is packed with LeeAnn's hand-chosen homewares, including eye-catching wallpapers, colourful ornaments and funky linens.

Hunting For George

The team at Hunting For George describe their online store as a boutique full of goodness and I totally agree. Though based in Australia, being the friendly neighbours they are, they ship to New Zealand for free if you spend more than $100, and trust me, it's easy to do once you see their custom-made timber clocks, angled planters and typographic artwork. And guys, here's a tip, it's loaded with great gift ideas for the lady in your life.

Etsy

I love Etsy. It's like an upmarket TradeMe where creative people from around the world sell their handmade creations. Believe me, if you're looking for something, it'll be on Etsy. I recently bought some awesome ceramic hanging-planters from a lovely lady in New York and they were hanging on my wall within a week.

Homebase Collections

A collection of New Zealand homeware that has been designed and created by Leanne Culy in her Napier home for your home. Her pegboard bedside tables, pinhole light shades and dark brown polka dot fabric had me at hello. I bet they'll get you too.

endemicworld

I enjoy trawling through the vast array of art prints, design posters and graphics that endemicworld sells. They've all been hand-picked from New Zealand's freshest creative talent as well as international artists. Over the past few years I've bought a handful of prints to grace my apartment and the great thing is, they're extremely well-priced.

Father Rabbit

If you need to kit out your kitchen then I'd recommend you have a chat with Father Rabbit. He's curated a stunning collection of kitchenware that is verging on art in its own right. Think muted grey, yellow and blue striped tea towels, ceramic bakeware, copper-handled whisks, wooden spoons and wire storage containers. I could go on and on to be honest, so it's best you have a nosey for yourself.

CleverBastards

The name says it all really; I kind of wish I'd thought of it myself. This online store is a celebration of Kiwi creativity, with furniture, lights, jewellery, art and homeware made by Clever Bastards New Zealand wide.

Cush & Nooks

A New Zealand-based homeware store selling a variety of colourful pieces to help turn your house into a home. You'll find everything from hanging chairs and graphic cushions through to intricately patterned bed linen, rugs and necklaces.

Green With Envy

I've picked up quite a few light shades from Green With Envy. They have a great selection of pendants including jars, metal, porcelain and silicone options as well as more industrial workshop-inspired enamel shades. But they're more than just lights, oozing with design options to fill every room of your house.