It’s 18 months since we made the move from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane.
EIGHTEEN months.
In some ways it feels like it’s longer. In some ways it seems like yesterday.
We’ve very much settled into our new environment. We’re fortunate to have made some beautiful new friends, have re-connected with old friends and completely assimilated into city life.
Part of the ease of that assimilation has been embracing our local community within the big city.
I love that this is how Brisbane has evolved.
Our local community – Paddington – is just one of the many thriving communities within Queensland’s capital.
It’s home to amazing cafes and restaurants, many of which we now frequent, but it’s also home to some fabulous strip shopping.
And it’s a long strip – about 2km – starting from Given Terrace near Suncorp Stadium and extending all the way through into Latrobe Terrace, with the last of the shops just beyond the iconic Antiques Centre.
Today I thought I’d share with you my picks of the best shops Paddington Brisbane.
This list is by no means the only stores you’ll find in Paddington but it will be a starting point for you should you find yourself in this inner west suburb with a few hours to wander, browse and maybe buy.
(And if you don’t live in Brisbane or not visiting in the near future, click on the links for the stores listed – many have online stores attached to their websites.)
If you’d like to play along with this list, I’ve listed the shops below starting at the top of Latrobe Terrace.
To get there, either catch the City Glider bus from Brisbane CBD to the Gilday Street bus stop on Latrobe Terrace or drive to this end of Latrobe Terrace and park in one of the side streets. It’s out of the two-hour city parking limit regulations.
1. Sheets on the Line: Lovers of all things bed linen rejoice. Sheets on the Line has created its own range of fine, organic bed linen. Apart from sheets and quilt covers, you’ll find rugs and blankets, cushions, interior pieces, wall art, sleepwear and homewares.
2. The Little Black Dress Shop and Boudoir Chic: Luxe lingerie and the most classic of dress styles are found in this location. Expect to find quality labels and not just LBDs but also stunning shoes, accessories and knits.
3. The Happiness Place: So much to smile about in this store filled with gift ideas from cushions to stationery, prints and candles. Look for a fabulous selection of Kate Spade products and Ella B candles to match certain cities or suburbs (Paddington is grapefruit, citrus and evergreen).
4. du Monde: You’ll find so much style in this French-inspired store that offers up a cleverly curated mix of homewares and gift pieces, including Alan Myerson jewellery, Emac and Lawton lighting, Linen and Moore table linen and Glasshouse candles. Interior design service available.
5. Paddington Antiques Centre: This iconic building was once a theatre and is now home to more than 50 dealers offering a diverse variety of quality stock. Check out the Scandinavian Furniture and Design, Sachs and Cornish and Botticelli House.
6. Green Tangerine: There is little not to love about this store. Inside you’ll find a beautifully curated selection of homewares, gifts, fashion and accessories. There is an impressive range of Samantha Robinson and Mud Australia porcelain. Fashion-wise, look for Luisa Clare, Boom Shankar, Noosa Amsterdam.
7. NOW LOCATED IN THE CBD Showroom: The concept behind this space is genius. The idea was to create a space where online stores could show their products to the public and it’s evolved as a successful model where the stores showcased inside change but the aesthetic appeal of the space remains. It’s all about the creative entrepreneur who sells something a bit different. Workshops are also held regularly here, offering everything from photography, to healthy cooking and business planning.
8. Francesa’s Flowers: This is a florist shop built on love, creativity and passion. You’ll always find an amazing selection of in-season flowers as well as complementing gift and decor pieces to best display those flowers. Floral workshops are also regularly held and stopping in for tea and cake is a must.
9. NOW CLOSED AP Design House: This is the store you head to when looking for an interiors piece that is a standout. The piece that will bring a whole room in your house together. They also offer a full interior design service.
10. Blake & Taylor: If you love a neutral and white decor palette, then you’ll love spending time in this store. The store specialises in new and recycled/vintage furniture pieces. The merchandising in store is captivating. You’ll also find a timeless clothing range, toiletries and stationery.
11. Louenhide: Louenhide accessories and fashion pieces are available Australia wide in boutiques and gift stores but this was the first stand-alone boutique of this popular brand. Louenhide bags are a favourite of many for their versatility and good looks.
12: Petrol Boutique: Petrol has been dressing Brisbane women for 24 years and continues to evolve. What remains the same is its superb edit of clothing, shoes and accessories that are ideally matched to the Brisbane lifestyle. Definitely worth checking for special occasion wear too.
13. Olive Home: This mix of homewares and fashion entices you in from the beautifully merchandised windows. Labels include: By Johnny, Rebecca Thompson, Elk Accessories, Morrison and Samantha Wills.
14. Maiocchi: Embrace your inner vintage or whimsical style in exclusive-printed frocks designed and made in Brisbane. These timeless designs will turn heads long after you walk out the door wearing them.
15. Sacha Drake: Sacha Drake is your go-to boutique for event, occasion and everyday workwear outfits. Staff are incredibly helpful in styling and dressing you in a frock that makes you feel fabulous and super confident for an occasion.
16. Red Works: This is a boutique and lifestyle/interiors store offering quality clothing (including Mela Purdie), bags, jewellery, gifts, homewares, furniture, window coverings, decorator accessories, lamps, art and an interior decorating service.
So tell me, if you live in Brisbane, what other shops should be on this list? Live outside of Brisbane? Tell us about your favourite local strip shopping area?
Comments 30
Hi Nickki have you ever been to Cleveland ?
Bloomfield Street has a small number of great boutique shops that are keen to be discovered.
Louky Boutique,Neon Laundry,Linen&Lace,Ally Oops,Mirage,Unique Gifts.
Please visit us soon.
Sounds like I need to make a trip soon!
I love Thousand Island Dressing on Latrobe Terrace. Gorgeous jewellery, lamps and ornaments. I always manage to find a lovely gift here.
I LOVE The Happiness Place. I bought few things there just after I had Phoebe. It definitely made me happy when I went in there and when I went out spending nearly $200 on homewares!
I LOVE The Happiness Place. I bought few things there just after I had Phoebe. It definitely made me happy when I went in there and when I went out spending nearly $200 on homewares!
This is my neighbourhood too! LOVE it!
Such a great place to live Kirst!
Such a great place to live Kirst!
Have you visited Needlefruit Sewing Lounge?
I haven’t but I walk past on my morning walks and love the knitting and crochet pieces on the fence!
I avoid Paddington because my husband loves the guitar shop there haha.
Hahahaha! You could just plant yourself at Francesca’s Flowers while he got his guitar fix!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nikki, I stayed with a lovely friend who lives nearby back in the day….we used to walk to her home from the CBD, sometimes stopping in at the pub but always window-shopping on the way! xx
It’s such a great walk Julie! So much to see and plenty of places to stop!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Nikki, I stayed with a lovely friend who lives nearby back in the day….we used to walk to her home from the CBD, sometimes stopping in at the pub but always window-shopping on the way! xx
Great list Nikk. I would definitely include Artisans Gems and Jewels as a special spot to browse, lust, pop on the ‘wish-list’ to hubby or just dive in and spoil yourself. Tammy is an amazingly talented jewelery designer and jeweller, and her gorgeous dog Missy is a Paddington fave on the local scene.
Thanks so much Dani … I’ll pop in and check it out!
You are so very lucky indeed to have so many amazing shops on your doorstep! I loved visiting your hood. It would definitely be the suburb we’d live in if we moved to Brisbane.
As for where I live, my local haunt is King William Road (Hyde Park). It takes 2-3 minutes to walk there from my house and it’s a lovely paved road filled with homewares stores, clothing shops, cafes, hair salons and restaurants. x
I loved you being in my hood! Shouk is the best. And I love your ‘hood. Need to shop more next time I’m visiting!
I loved you being in my hood! Shouk is the best. And I love your ‘hood. Need to shop more next time I’m visiting!
Oh Nikki, way to make me homesick! My parents still live behind the Antique Centre, and I grew up along these streets… we are so lucky to have such a fabulous array of shops on our doorstep! Maiocchi and Sacha are my favourites too, and Happiness Place puts me in a perennially sunny mood! A great post 🙂
So, so lucky to have that all on the doorstep. So many good brunch spots too at the Antique Centre end of Paddington! Shouk and the Paddington Deli are a must. Also Chocolate Orange has just moved into where Black Cat Books was (so sad about them closing down).
Wow talk about taking me back to a previous life: I lived in red Hill for two years when my work transferred me to Brisbane and I used to run along these streets in Paddington every morning.
Nowadays, in Sydney I like the Darling Street, Rozelle/Balmain strip for a couple of favourite shops like Casa Boheme, Duck Egg Blue, Stem, Stretlizia and Quirky Birds. Otherwise I have spent a few weekend trips to the Southern Highlands mooching around Bowral, which seems to have inordinately good shopping.
I did not know that Johanne! Very close by. Thanks for sharing your faves.
I like to pop into Thousand Island Dressing too, for a browse at the pretties and their unusual lamps. Food wise, I’m a Java Lounge fan and Daryl’s Du Monde is always a must.
Oh good addition Annie! And love Java Lounge too. A food post is another thing I should tackle!!
That shopping strip is amazing Nikki we do not have such cool shops here you have to go into the city to get shopping like that.
I’m glad your move turned out well for you,enjoy that great shopping strip,can you walk there from your house Nikki? Have a great day Xx
I love that I can walk from my house to brunch and shopping Lisa! It’s the best. x
As much as I love living on the Sunshine Coast (been here for about 18 years) I do miss Brisbane. I like city living, and grew up on the south side, could be in the city in a flash by train. Botticelli House is on my must visit list, the Instagram photos of blue and white porcelain are amazing. Kathryn 🙂
Oh you must visit Botticelli House, Kathryn! Amazing pieces.