You could get lost in here for a week. Bayside Books is a book exchange that has been in Bay…read moreTerrace at Wynnum for many years and is literally bulging at the seams with old, new, unusual and also some very ordinary books, so if you're going to visit, be prepared to spend some time and do some digging. It's the kind of shop that takes some energy to get through but it's usually worth it and I challenge you to walk out without at least one treasure you've been meaning to read for years. As the sign outside says, if you're walking in with books in to exchange, make sure to go straight to the counter and make your intentions known, as a shop like this would be almost impossible to inventory.

This two levelled antique store is a world of all things outdated and old school. At times, it's…read moreeven historical and educational. The sheer size of their collections leaves one in awe. There are multiple cabinets devoted entirely to what I call 'man face mugs'. If it's ceramic, has a man's face moulded and painted into it, and it contains a liquid or solid- it's a 'man face mug'. Then there's the cabinet of rose pink glass wear. Be amazed at the cabinet full of egg holders and salt and pepper shakers, not to forget the cabinet of ceramic clown dolls, and try not to make a scene when you lay your eyes on the cabinet full of old, ornate pocket watches. There's a huge section of the store that houses military paraphrenalia. They have old war uniforms, badges, rifles, hats, navy gear, war propaganda posters- you name it, they've got it. There's your usual antique store wears: vases, tea sets, dry food canisters, books, clothes, and jewellery. They keep the furniture downstairs. What's neat about the furniture is that some of it has been organised into scenes. If you go downstairs and look to the first scene on the right, you'll find a dining setting that conjures up ideas of 'early colonial Australia'. The dining scene is set against a wall hanging of indigenous Australians walking through the desert. Again, 'early colonial Australia' pops up (actually, the last scene of The Proposition comes to mind, but banish that). It's up to you to decide whether it's tasteful or not. I can't afford anything in this store, not even a thimble, or spoon. It's an antique store, and so the prices are always jacked up, but this particular store's prices a bit over the top. A pair of no frills clip on earrings? $26- $40? No thanks. I will happily spend hours looking through your pretty things though. Thanks.

The unlimited possibilities that hit you when you walk into Southside Antiques is overwhelming. As…read morean avid fan of the Paddington Antiques Centre, I had a lot of high expectations walking into here. The thing I love about different antique centres is that they all stock the same types of things, but never ever stock the exact same things. That's the point right? They're antiques, sold for whatever reason from a previous owner with the possibility of delighting a new one. Well, Southside Antiques may be smaller than Paddington Antiques Centre, but it doesn't dull in comparison by any means. There's a beautiful ancient phone set just near the entrance that we aren't allowed to touch guys, just ask for assistance before you attempt to examine that one. There are antique tea sets that cost over a thousand dollars, vintage shoes and clothes, and the most beautiful and intricately crafted wooden chair I have ever seen in my life. There are even clogs for those of you who are Dutch! Everything is appropriately sorted into areas, and the kitchen looks like it's been lifted from a quintessential 50s advertisement with country-style drawers, old-school utensils, and nostalgic signage on the wall. Stumble along a little further and you'll find old movie posters, magazines, sewing patterns, and LPs, which I thought was just fantastic. You get so caught up in the glory of upstairs that you forget there's a whole untapped area of furniture downstairs with sets and singular pieces and clocks still ticking away marking time. There are some really beautiful Singer sewing machines and a fully fledged and restored washing mangle. Some of the items in this place fill you with wonder. So if you're scouting around for great antiques centres, make sure this one is a stop along your itinerary.

I've done my fair share of antique and vintage stalking, but Eilisha's Shoppe has never cropped up…read moreon my radar. I only happened to fall across it parking along James Street one day, and I'm very glad I did. Yes, all the other antique centres I've fallen across/stalked down have been wondrous and oh so gorgeous and otherworldly, but Eilisha's place is a little different. The antiques here seem more accessible and within your grasp somehow, while still carrying with them that intrigue and curiosity that comes with looking at wares meant for another time. Eilisha's has the traditional tea sets and intricately fashioned jewellery you associate with antique centres, but she also has some things I haven't seen such as postcards that I know my mother would absolutely die for, which makes it seem like the history here isn't so far beyond my reach. Eilisha's has furniture and bric-a-brac, jewellery and mirrors, toys and gifts; it's a really lovely little place that is both suited to and incongruent with affluent James Street simultaneously. But this is a place you simply must visit if you love your vintage and antiques. She's been there for 36 years with no indication of quitting it yet. You can call and email her on 0423 830 515 and lizann@optusnet.com.au respectively.

Strolling into Eilisha's Shoppe is like walking into a room where my Grandmother has laid out the…read moreentire contents of her pantry. It is a minefield of old china tea cups and dining sets. It certainly has a charming feel to it, but tuck all flailing limbs and shopping bags away because there is potential for serious breakage action in this cramped space. Considering it's deemed to be an antique store, there's not a great deal of furniture inside Eilisha's Shoppe. There are some unrestored pieces out the back but what's on display is predominately jewellery, dining wares and random bits and pieces like old war medals (creepy porcelain dolls included). It's the bric-a-brac and the higgelty-piggelty feel to the shop that makes it a quaint and cute place to wander through. Shopping for vintage or antique pieces is always a fun expedition. Eilisha's is certainly not the most amazing of second-hand stores in Brisbane, but if there's some sort of adorable vintage piece you are looking for, it's well worth a browse.

I've been to this store a couple of times when in need of some books. There is a small range and if…read moreyou're lucky you'll find a good one. Primarily this store is stocked with old and used clothing and house hold goods. I'm told that on a Monday afternoon that's when the cool retro stuff is in and all the second hand retailers are digging through to find the best hand me downs to sell in their own stores. There is a plethora of ladies wear throughout the store and some suits for the gentlemen. My suggestion is to go check it out cause everything that's bought there goes to a good cause.

A big thanks to this store i was able to buy a easy chair to help me out with my back issues Cheryl…read morethe manager was so helpful i cant thank her enough and Cheryl is always so helpful to me Thanks

I have always found the customer service excellent every time I have entered the store. They have…read moretaken exceptional time and care in all.my home decor requirements sometimes spending an hour with me to bring together a look I am trying to create. I have gone here many times over the last 3 years and never have I not been extremely happy wither advice and products and will continue to go back and recommend to friends E Products well priced and love the quality and design and uniqueness of range of home decor and excellent value for money

Move over IKEA I have a new Scandinavian lover, and it goes…read moreby the name of The Modern. This place has got to be one of the sweetest furniture stores I have come across, It boasts pieces that are understated but beautiful in the simplicity of their design. What I love about their range is that it doesn't boast huge cumbersome pieces that are overly grandiose or OTT. Instead I feel the furniture is designed to be seamlessly transitioned into your living room..almost like its been there all along. Made out of solid Oak and Elm these pieces have been manufactured to meticulous european standards and have withstood my rigorous testing (This includes jumping up and down on the chairs and knocking importantly on wooden surfaces.) If you are moving into a new pad or feel the need to update those digs I highly recommend popping into Modern,

You wouldn't believe it from when you're standing, looking from the outside in. The sign outside…read moresays Gallery B yet here you are staring at the Newmarket Hardware store. Sceptically you walk in and the well-mannered storeman you first meet smiles, points at the floor and says, "just follow the footsteps." You follow the painted footprints guiding on you though hammers and drill parts. Ahead, an open doorway leads you into a room filled with unique gifts and trinkets of all colours, shapes and materials. There's unique jewellery, paintings and photography next to art cool vintage dresses lit up by a stain glasses lamp. Everything is eye catching and for sale. By crossing the doorway's threshold you've stepped into another world. It's beautifully confusing. To your right you hear someone say hello, the accent isn't colloquial, it timbre is European maybe Russian. She asks if you would like a hand or a coffee. You're unsure and just want to look around make sure you know where you are. Then she suggests you go outside and take in the view from the deck. You step through another door. Now you're high in the air looking down into the lush greenery of inner west Brisbane. Beneath you a sharp incline falls down to a slowly moving creek and you go back through the door. You go to the woman and order a coffee and dessert, it's cheap and its served on classic china plating. You walk back out to the deck, take a seat, drink some coffee and eat some cake. Everything is delicious. You will come back.

Do you know, that this place is absolutely brilliant. The slogan on their website says the only…read morehardware store where your girlfriend will be happy and the only boutique gallery in the world your boyfriend will be happy... it is what I can only describe as a magical surprise. Through this ugly thin little cramped hardware store (this is the girl in me talking, i'm sure it's not that thin, not that ugly really) is a secret door which says 'ava cuppa' and you're like what the... is that a door that works? Anyway if you're game enough to step through the hardware mess... there is a beautiful cafe out the back overlooking gardens and grass and all things pretty girly! In freakin newmarket for goodness sakes!!! Thoughts: 1) What the 2) OMG baby look 3) MMMmm coffee 4) And hardware 5) Weird. This is definetely a secret special cafe spot spies would go to discuss their secrets I think. Super secret.

If you've just been visiting and shopping at Adorne's shopping centre stores then you've been…read moremissing out. The label's West End warehouse is a treasure trove of colour co-ordinated home wares. With on-trend copper as you walk through the doors to tones of navy or coral there's everything you could want to add accents of colour to your home. Prices vary but on the items that took my fancy -- all reasonable. So, chop chop. Grab your go card and jump on the 199 bus to Montague Rd.

Cute boutique in the west end. Perfect for gifts, or if you want to treat yourself to something…read morespecial. Reasonable prices. High-quality candle selection. The women's clothes were a little bohemian for my taste, but pleasant nonetheless.

Karene A is right, those looking for a second hand store experience that earns them hipster cred or…read morekitsch points should look elsewhere for their fix. That's not to say that you won't find items that fit that bill at the Red Hill Salvos Store but it's unlikely. Red Hill Salvos has been a spot I've spent many a hour searching for homewares, books and on the odd occasion kooky costumes for a 70s highschool teacher inspired photo shoot. This is the spot you come to if you're looking for something unique for your home- something that tells a story and stands out from the run of the mill flat pack furniture. On many occasions I've found (much to my delight) fantastic crystal pieces including small milk jugs perfect for the kitchen table, vases and other knick knacks for my home. If you're in the market for larger furniture items that tell a story and have a bucket load of character then be sure to wander into their back shed area where you'll find enough desks, dining tables, chairs and wardrobes to fit any decor or need. While I've done my fair share of 'shopping' here it has also been a fine spot to give items I no longer need a new home. Books, clothes and other kitchen items that I no longer need are donated to a good cause and handing them directly to their warehouse teams means I'm safe in the knowledge my donations are not being ruined by weather waiting for a donation bin to be emptied.

Rummaging through the piles of second-hand goods here, one is sure to pick up a bargain antique…read moretreasure. While it's not the place to pick up quality retro clothing, you will find plenty of old picture frames, antique furniture (banged up antique furniture but it's all about character, right?), vinyl records, old-school suitcases and shelves and shelves full of cute little statues and retro kitchenware that all looks like it should be in Grandma's kitchen. Their pricing system is a little haphazard; the price markers seem to know the value of some of the antique items but overlook others. Sometimes I can pick up an old suitcase or port for $20 whereas on other visits the same sort and quality item will be upwards of $50. There are definitely bargains to be had if you visit regularly though. As well as lots of really old stuff (I'm full of such technical terms), they also have plenty of newer second hand furniture, linen, toys, sports equipment and a section with discounted supermarket items such as toilet paper, shampoo, detergent etc.