Shoptalk

Not so much a business, more an autobiography, The Renovation Store was originally inspired by a frustrating experience when Jane and her American husband, Hap Funk, moved back to this country.

"We renovated two old houses, one in London and also Trafalgar House, in Heighington. It was quite difficult to find the small period items that make all the difference - just the right sort of hooks or handles, for instance. "So having tracked down suppliers, we thought we'd share what we'd found."

While in Hong Kong, Jane - who started off selling advertising on Durham weekly papers - worked as a magazine publisher and travelled far and wide. Then Hap was relocated to England and when they wanted a new direction in their lives, after all these years it was time to come back to Durham - "It's always been home," says Jane.

As well as those two houses, Jane and Hap renovated the shop premises in Saddler Street - a tall, narrow building with sloping floors and tremendous views.

The first floor is the result of their long stay in Hong Kong and travels throughout the Far East. Here is a collection of modern Asian furniture - dark woods, light designs, interesting with a very contemporary feel. There are lamps for around £42, complete with shade, and there's also a large entertainment cabinet for £540.

On other floors, there are a number of American products, including very upmarket laundry items that transform doing the weekly washing into an art form - and a delicious smelling art form.

There are soaps, candles, essential oils and fun gifts from California. "Very popular in the States but not generally available here," says Jane.

And, since Jane gave birth to William, now two years old, there's a nursery section.

As well as American cot sets, nursery furniture and gift sets, there are also the Petunia Pickle Bottom baby bags from California. Ignore the foolish name. These are the all-purpose bags that no new mother is ever without. They are fiercely practical - roll-out changing mat, pockets for bottles, clothes, dirty nappies - but are also wonderful to look at. Instead of the twee nursery designs you usually get, these are made in lush fabrics, many of them Chinese style brocades. They're not cheap - from £100 to £150 - but make great presents.

And dads aren't ignored either. Jane also has some bags by Fleruville of California, which include a nice macho boxy backpack in camouflage prints - also a baby bag. "They're all very stylish, as well as practical. It really gives new mums a boost to have something that looks so good," she says.

At the moment, the basement of the shop is largely taken over by Christmas decorations and household products - including the American Holy Cow all-purpose cleaner, said to work on absolutely everything from kitchens to carpets - but will gradually be filled with fixtures and fittings, hardware and unusual things for those renovating their own homes.

"We know we have items which you can't get anywhere else and we hope to appeal to our customers' sense of style and individuality," says Jane.

And, of course, it's a great excuse to be back home.

* The Renovation Store, 44 Saddler Street, Durham (next to Oxfam).

BUYLINES

GO Viking for Christmas. The gift shop at the Jorvik Centre in York has a range of different and unusual gifts, including Danish dolls, German glass tea lights and scents, Celtic jewellery and Isle of Lewis chess sets. And, if you feel like living dangerously, there are wooden bows and arrows for children. The Jorvik shop is open from 10am-5pm every day and until 8pm on Thursdays.

GET on the scent of a bargain. Perfume prices get quite tricky to compare, with different sizes and different combinations in gift boxes. In previous years, we've found that gift boxes are actually very good value - IF you, or the person you're giving it to, will use every item. A free tin of talc or body lotion is no gift at all if it's not going to be used.

This year, Matalan has started selling perfumes. Limited range but great prices, e.g. Gucci gift box sets for £25, Burberry Weekend 50ml for £15 - the cheapest we've seen. Other names include CK, Cerruti, Hugo Boss, Versace and more. There are perfume bargains on the Internet too from www.halfpriceperfumes.co.uk and www.fragrancebay.com

CREATE Christmas cards from your own photos in a new service from Jessops. Take your photo to their shops and they will print them up on thick card, just like normal greetings cards with envelope. A pack of 20 will cost £19.99

OR buy your nearest and dearest a picture of themselves or their family. Venture, in Post House Wynd, Darlington specialises in interesting and unusual lifestyle photography. For £25 you can buy someone a one hour photography session at the studio plus a framed 7x5ins photo. For details, tel: 0845 121 1081 or go to www.thisisventure.co.uk.