If Alice of Wonderland fame had fallen down the rabbit hole into this place, she never would have…read moregotten out. The store is a maze of aisles with seemingly no order at all. Paths between merchandise veer off unexpectedly, making it a bit of a 'choose your own adventure' type experience. You never know what you'll find but if you go the wrong way you'll struggle to find your way back. When I entered the store I expected something like Bunnings (probably the only hardware store I've ever been to) with its lofty ceilings and manicured aisles. I was surprised at the low-ceilinged but deceptively large shop that greeted me. Apart from the ceiling height difference, this place sold everything any other hardware store does. Each section also had its own information desk, with a staff member waiting patiently for customers with queries. I kept arriving at 'clearings' to find an eager shop assistant gazing anxiously at me as I tried to back away while maintaining eye contact. The odd mix of charming, maze-like layout, head ducking and exceptional customer service combine to make this a place I would highly recommend.

Before entering Paddington Hardware, maybe give everyone in your group an air horn or just tether…read moreyour group together, because you will get lost in this giant warehouse of aisles. On the other hand, I don't mind getting lost in here. It made me remember that hardware stores don't have to be boring. After visiting Mitre 10 and its peers back in the day as a little girl with my father, this is a positive mansion of hardware needs. At first indifferent, I wandered absent-mindedly amongst rows of containers of different types of screws, and I was reminded of my father's workshop. When I was little, Dad's workshop (attached to the house) was out-of-bounds for kids. Of course this meant I snuck in there as often as possible. I used to ooh and ahh over the smell of cut wood, the jars of different sized nails and screws, curly wood shavings on the floor. It felt like being in Santa's workshop. And it also felt like this here. Now, Paddington Hardware isn't Santa's workshop - that I'm aware of. For all I know he could be stuffed in the back, pumping out dinner tables amongst a group of singing elves. The store's that big. I'm somehow sounding sentimental about a hardware store. In spite of its size, though, the staff are so friendly that it contributes to the happy-wonder vibe of the place. From a stock perspective, the scope of hardware is so extensive that I think most handymen would find what they wanted here. As an aside, I came to Paddington Hardware to buy a shower curtain because I was moving out of my rental property and they wanted it replaced. Shower curtains are sneakily expensive. However, Paddington Hardware was the only place in Paddington I could find a shower curtain. It was a damn nice curtain, so I hope the new tenants enjoyed it. A word about parking here: there is on-site parking, but since Paddington Hardware is sandwiched between boutiques and restaurants, it was once packed with cars from non-patrons. However, there is a strict Hardware Parking Only sign on site, and increased security on this front means that legitimate Hardware store customers should be able to find a spot.

The last three times I visited the Keperra store, the staff seemed to think that we were a…read morehindrance if asking for help. I asked one how long he would be blocking the lighting isle (I would have come back) and all I got was attitude. I got my lamp after he moved his equipment, but he didn't like that I hadn't thanked him judging by the scowl on his face. I don't thank people with bad manners. The last time I was there I asked a guy to check stock. The face on him because I asked for help. The staff don't seem to realise that the store doesn't exist for their convenience. Stafford store is totally different. Friendly staff. Not sure what has changed, it used not to be like that. Management bringing down morale?

I have lived in The Gap, a stones throw over Settlement Road to Keperra, for over 30 years. During…read morethat time we have had to suffer fledgling home improvement stores, like Mitre 10, with a lack of supplies and services, a disappointing inventory of stock, and a lackluster team behind the counter who "couldn't care less." So what a blessing it was when Bunnings decided on Keperra to open a new outlet, as we had previously been using the Stafford store. Bunnings, whether you love or loathe their variety of Chinese-made goods, is a God send when you need it. There's almost everything you need when emergencies arise, and a variety of items for just DIY scenarios around the house or in the garden. It's of little surprise when I meet my neighbours most days and ask they about their plans for it. Bunnings Keperra seems to be always on the agenda. Nice one!

Rosalie Village Garden Centre is a bit like a secret garden. You'll be walking along Baroona Road…read moreand all of a sudden, you'll come across a quaint garden path, blooming with flowers of all different colours, shapes and sizes. You'll be drawn in like a bee to pollen. Outside of being an extremely pretty nursery, it's also got some very cool plants that are considered a bit of a rare find in these metropolitan parts. Amid their fruit and veggie section was a small pineapple plant. Now, I'm a bit of a gardening nut, and I haven't seen any pineapple plants for sale anywhere in Brisbane. When asking the owner as to why this is the case, he replied with "well, I guess it's just easy to buy a pineapple from the store, and then if you want another pineapple, you can just cut off it's head and put it in the ground, and it'll grow. There's no real need to sell them as plants". But he still does, and I think it's great. He's also got infant versions of iconic trees like white jacarandas and yellow flame trees. Rosalie Village Garden is so crammed with plants it looks a bit like a jungle. If you can find the owner through the greenery, just ask him what you're looking for, because he's far better equipped to help you out in an efficient manner. Even if you're not a green thumb, I'm sure most people would appreciate this tucked away humble little haven on an otherwise high end cosmopolitan strip.

Don't let the tiny entrance fool you, this place is larger than that entrance makes it out to be…read more Walk in and you will notice a pathway that will guide you to pleasant garden the size of someone's backyard. There is something very homely about this gardening nursery. Without sounding too corny, the plants look happy and alive here. Although it may not be very large, there is a large selection of plants here. I am not an expert in gardening but from what I noticed there was a good range of flower pots, herbs, vegetable gardening equipment and garden decorations. It would be easy for a place so small with such a range to become cluttered but surprisingly everything the place is well organised. At the moment, they have really cute small sized Xmas (pine) trees which are an excellent size for many of the homes in the area since Rosalie has many apartment buildings. 'Rosalie Village Garden' is the answers to anyone with a green thumb living who do not want to drive 20-30 minutes outbound to buy their plants and gardening goods.