By day, it's an office space for all sorts of creative types. Sometimes by night, it's host to…read moreparties that you never thought would exist in Brisbane. I went to a Day of the Dead party the other week hosted by the Thought Fort's friends, frankie&bs. Sometimes I feel dread when I go to costume parties. Is anyone else going to be dressed up? Is this bespeckled robed rooster I'm wearing on my head too much? Well, let me tell you this. The Thought Fort is a place home to all sorts of creatives by day and by night. As soon as I walked into the venue, I felt right at home. The venue was in the best costume of all, and everyone within it was wearing costumes too. There were dj's in one corner, and a makeshift bar at the front where you walk in. There were a multitude of rainbow crepe organisms that just seemed to grow out of the walls. Local artists were exhibiting their work there as well. The balcony that wraps around the building gave a sweet reprieve from the sultry heat of the dancefloor. The parties held at Thought Fort usually shut down at 12, but then, because you're just on the outskirts of the valley, it ain't no thang to shimmy your way into the lion's den intersection of Ann and Brunswick Street. If you wanted to arrange an event at the Thought Fort, you'd do best to contact them during daytime hours (see phone number) and see what they've got to say about it.

As I look out the window of my home office, the gentle drift of ocean currents and the soft peaks…read moreof golden sand inspire me to great heights of productivity. Yeah right. I currently look out onto a row of city council bins, I am sweltering in my 5x 5 metre home office space and I've befriended the neighbourhood stray cat, such is my need for a sounding board to run my ideas pass. For self-employed people working from home, the Thought Fort is Brisbane's latest 24 hour co-working studio space. It's a great idea for those who don't like to mix their domestic life with work or just need to upgrade to a professional space for client meetings without the complications of leasing a commercial office. Prices range from daily, weekly or monthly hire and include a desk, air-conditioning, internet access, cleaning, basic printing (don't print a magazine), Friday beers and an exotic fish tank. Also included is the great opportunity to network with like-minded people who are sharing the same experiences of building a business. The current tenants are an eclectic mix of designers, musicians, artists and programmers but don't let this deter you from applying. If you're working on a great idea, you need some temporary office space, you want like-minded people to inspire and support you, then check out the Thought Fort. The Thought Fort is located 550m away from Brunswick St Station and 850m away from Central Station.

Couldn't be happier with the entire process from start to finish. I needed a single carport to…read moreprotect my ute from the Brisbane heat and was expecting the usual hassle--delays, price blowouts, poor communication. But Mitch from the crew proved me wrong. He showed up when he said he would, explained everything in plain terms, and helped me choose a style that actually matched my home. The louvred roof addition was a brilliant suggestion--adds airflow and makes it feel more open. They even worked around my schedule without complaint and left no mess behind, including some leftover yard junk I hadn't moved. The final price was fair and within budget, and the quality? Spot on. I'd confidently call it one of the better trades experiences I've had in Brisbane. Real craftsmanship still exists, apparently. Cheers to that.

There is much to DIG about this house and garden centre,…read morewalking past this place I was immediately arrested by the sight of the gorgeous blooms, trees and fountains beckoning from behind the fence. Opened in the early 90's DIG have remained true to their "classic simplicity" ethos. They have a solid gallery of client pictures and are more than capable of tacking any garden or interior quandaries you may face. Aside from offering their design knowledge and personalized consultations, DIG also offer a plethora of quirky and cool design elements that will transform your garden from grim to great. (Think fountains, giant trees and ornate pots.) Perfect for a browse (or preparation for your next gardening blitz), DIG is well worth a pop-in.

Sigh, apartment living has its perks but a garden is not one of them. Occasionally when I like to…read moredream about my future landscaping abilities I head into d.i.g. on James Street. Housed in this gorgeous store, and in its courtyard, are plenty of plants, statues, water features and ornaments to make your garden beautiful. It's more up market than your average Bunnings garden section but offers beautiful items which would be tricky to find elsewhere. There are also a few things for inside the home such as decorative pieces and tableware. If your outdoor area needs a bit of sprucing up, or you know someone who would love something for their garden as a gift, it's worth having a look in d.i.g. After all, what's shopping if you can't stop to smell the roses?!

Shops with amusing names often get lodged in my head a lot…read morelonger than their blander cousins. (e.g. Plumb Repair Nundah IS NOT AN EXCITING NAME FOR A SMALL BUSINESS I WILL NOT REMEMBER YOUR SERVICES NEXT TIME I HAVE A LEAK.) ...So when I did see the Lumen 8 store I knew it was the beginning of a sweet friendship. Lumen 8 (as the name suggests) is a shop dedicated to beautiful architectural lighting. Their extensive range is current, unique and is sourced from both leading european brands and great local Australian and NZ designers. The showroom is stuffed full of true works of lighting art, unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures but a glance at their online catalogue will leave guarantee to leave you lusting after everything. The staff were friendly and knowledgable and the space itself is modern, clean and really lets the products speak for themselves. Perfect for renovators (or poor students with a dream), Lumen 8 is well worth a visit when Valleyside.

The stress of selling property can be a real pain in the... We came to Harcourts in Aspley for a…read morebit of assistance and within a few minutes we knew they were the ones to go with. We were greeted by the lovely staff and were offered water and coffee as we waited for the real estate agent. We met with the real estate agent and he talked us through everything and you can tell he really understands the property market not just for our area, but nationally. He made the whole process transparent and explained it all clearly in layman's terms. After our first meeting with him we later learned that this Harcourts is one of the most successful in the Queensland area and ranked quite high up nationwide. They are very professional and do a brilliant job. We were extremely happy with the sale of our property through Harcourts Apsley- it went for the price we wanted in short time. If you go with them or go for a visit, ask for Johnny, he'll take good care of you and your property.

Great local roofing company. We had metal re-roofing done on our house and couldn't be happier…read more thank you guys!

Replacing a roof is a massive job, but the team turned it into a smooth experience. We went with a…read morefull Zincalume replacement to handle the salt air. From the initial inspection, it was clear that Liam understood the structural needs of an older home. He pointed out where the battens had started to rot and replaced them before laying the new sheets. The attention to detail on the apron flashing and the ridge capping shows they take pride in their trade. If you're looking for a crew that values quality over a quick buck, give this team a call.

We'd been hearing a strange tapping sound in the roof whenever the wind picked up. Turned out a…read moreridge cap had lifted slightly. The fella who checked it pointed it out straight away and fixed it on the spot. Simple job in the end but glad we got it looked at before it turned into something bigger.