It’s been far too long since my last blog, apologies for that.  I’ve been looking after Grandma Barrett a lot recently, which is why I haven’t been in the shop much.  However, I have managed to establish my spot in the new side window, catching the lovely afternoon sunshine (when we get it, which hasn’t been very often) and topping up on much needed beauty sleep.  I’m amazed no-one has yet come in and asked “how much is that doggie in the window”.  I mean, I have a waggly tail and everything!

I’ve put a new photo of yours truly on the blog a) to make sure you still recognise me with my winter coat on and b) to show off my new svelte figure.  I’m down to 9.2kg, from 11kg at the start of my brutal diet!  It’s been tough but I feel so much better for it.  Note to Master and Mistress – can we end the diet now please?  I was going to run the Woodbridge 10K (sponsored by Barretts) with my Master Michael on Sunday 20^th May (12:00pm), but I don’t think my delicate paws would take it.  Besides, if I lose any more weight you’ll be sending me food parcels!  On second thoughts…

Before I tell you about all the lovely new stuff we have in the shop, I must share a dreadful experience I recently had.  There was I, out walking and minding my own business when two huge Alsatian dogs attacked me!   Not only did they scare the life out of me, but they left me with teeth marks all over my body!  Some of which required medical treatment.  I’m much better now, though no doubt will require counseling soon.

I’ve got two pieces of breaking news: the first is that for the first time, Barretts of Woodbridge will be at the Suffolk Show on 7^th/8^th June!  Not only that, but we have one of the prestigious Room Setting stands at the Lifestyle Pavillion – hope to see you there.  The second piece of news is that we have our Mid Season Sale on throughout May.  Many bargains to be had, including the now famous “Hotel” range of bed linen from Bedeck (Egyptian Cotton and 400tc), Chortex towels, and Silk Sensation Duvets.

And now for what’s new…

There is something very different in the Bedroom Furniture Department, with a new range from Delias.  The construction is of a very high quality, backed by a 5 year guarantee.  The number of finishes, combinations, sizes and accessories makes my head spin!  All very sleek and swish!

In my very own mistress’s department Linens, there are so many gorgeous new things to browse!  My favourite is the new range of duvet sets from Essenza.  Vivid and vibrant colours, fresh and fun designs, they are a joy!  I’m very much looking forward to falling asleep on one these!  From our good friend Peggy Wilkins, we have lots of jolly nautical things to enjoy, and being a patriotic lot, we have an ample selection of lovely Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration goodies.  Just in from Parlane are some very sweet Tealight Lanterns, Sailing Ships, and fabric Notice Boards.  Oh, and loads of new cushions including some great floor cushions which I have my eye on…

In our Curtains, Blinds and Fabric Department, we have the latest fabric and wallpaper books from Sanderson – ‘Colour of Living’.  Blue is so big this season, along with stripes and big floral patterns, and the new collection from Sanderson has them all!  We also have new books from Clarke and Clarke (very trendy at the moment), and Voyage.

In Carpets & Rugs Department there’s the fabulous rug and carpet range from Nourison. Wonderful designs, from contemporary to traditional, and so many size options available including circular rugs.

It’s been an extremely busy time on our Sofas Department with several new arrivals.  First up is the brand new ‘Weymouth’ sofa from Whitehead Upholstery.  There are also new models from our old favorites Parker Knoll, with the gorgeous leather Denver recliner armchair, and the classically styled Burleigh sofa and armchair.  All British made of course.

There have been new additions in our Bespoke Upholstery Department too.  The Burnham sofa from Covercraft in Jane Churchill’s new ‘Burnham Stripe’ collection is simply stunning, and so comfy. Ideal for a Sunday afternoon reading the papers (with your trusty dog by your side of course).  Also just in is the Malvern chair in beautiful leather, and the Louis chair in stunning red Harlequin ‘Ascent’ fabric.  All British made too!

And finally, in the Dining Room Furniture Department, we have a comprehensive new range of solid oak furniture from TCH.  It’s really stylish and comes in a range of finishes, stains and even with a painted option.

That’s it for now.  Thanks for reading my blog, and I’ll try to write something more regularly next time.

PS Why not follow me on Twitter at Daisy@BarrettsofWood?

PPS Don’t forget our Mid Season Sale throughout May!

Love

Daisy

x

Our Mid Season Sale is now on!  Don’t miss this great opportunity to pick up a bargain.  The recent ads below highlight some of the offers available, many of which include brand new range to Barretts.

We’re a very patriotic lot at Barretts, and we feel it’s time to really ‘Back Britain’ and support British manufacturing.  This is especially important given the economic situation, and the on-going financial crisis in Europe.  Manufacturing accounts for about 13% of the UK’s output, and we want that to grow.

We also hope you will continue to support local, independent stores like ourselves in every high street in every town and city throughout the country!

We’ve listed below the products we sell which are ‘Made in Britain’.  We will do our best to increase this list throughout 2012.

Come in and see for yourself great British quality and value, and experience our famous friendly expert service.

Linens, Gifts & Artwork

Norfolk Feather – all products, including Duck Down pillows, Goose Down pillows, our sale DF&D and GF&D pillows and seat pads

Slumberfleece – Fleece fitted mattress protectors

Evans Lichfield – all cushion covers

Style – seat pads and cushion covers

Catherine Colebrook aprons

MacLaggan Mugs

Tweedmill – woollen throws and blankets

Le Chateau – William Morris tablecloths

Art Marketing – Thomas Kent clocks

The following are designed in the UK, by UK-based companies:

Bedeck – all products designed in the UK

Trendsetter – Fine Bedding Company products

Peacock Blue

Sofas, Sofabeds & Recliners
Dining Room Furniture
Bespoke Upholstery

Alstons
Portland Sofa, Chair, Accent
Chair & Stool
Venice Sofabed
Monaco Sofabed
Made in Colchester

Celebrity
Woburn Recliners & Sofa
Grosvenor Recliner
Made in Somercotes, Derbyshire

JC & MP Smith
Capri Chair
Chiltern Chair
Made in High Wycombe

Sherbourne
Lynton Chair
Made in Bradford

Mark Webster
Nova Sofa & Chair
Made in Nottingham

Parker Knoll
Denver Sofa & Chair
Wing & Occasional Chairs
Made in Riddings, Derbyshire

Covercraft
Finn Chair
Bath Chair
Kendal Chair
Louis Chair
Camden Chair
Stowe Knole Sofa
Burnham Sofa
Made in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire

Collins & Hayes
Aldeburgh Sofa & Chair
Jasper Love Seat
Catalina Sofa
Made in Hastings, Kent

Gallery
Assorted Mirrors
Made in Sittingbourne, Kent

Carpets & Floor Coverings

Westex
Ultima Twist
Westend Velvet
Natural Loop
Made in Cleakheaton, West Yorkshire

Whitestone Weavers
Durham Twist
Pinpoint Twist
Deco Stripe
Made in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Victoria
Castillian
Tudor Twist
Simply Heathers
Crown Twist
Regal Twist
Celtic Heathers
Made in Worcestershire

Penthouse
All Ranges
Made in Rochdale

Ulster Carpets
Most Ranges
Made in Craigavon, Northern Ireland

Beds, Mattresses, Headboards & Bedroom Furniture

Hypnos beds
All beds in range
Made in Princes Risborough

Staples beds
All beds in range
Made in Huntingdon

Old English beds
All beds in range
Made in Ipswich

Corndell
All bedroom furniture in range, including Annecy and Nimbus
Made in Witney, Oxfordshire

Stuart Jones
All headboards & chairs
Made in Rustington, West Sussex

Cotswold Caners
All headboards & bedroom furniture
Made in Circencester

Curtains, Blinds, Fabric & Paint

Little Greene Company
All paint in range made in Manchester

Swaffer
All fabric printed in Carlisle, Cumbria

Jane Churchill
All wallpaper printed in UK
Majority of printed fabrics printed in UK
All Jane Churchill fabric and wallpaper designed in London

Sanderson
“Highlands” collection made in UK

Blendworth
All wallpaper manufactured in UK
All Prints designed in UK

Nanterre Blinds
All finished products made in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
All ‘Seasons’ collections fabrics produced in UK

Harlequin
“Kallanthi” fabrics designed by English designer Clarissa Hulse

JSC Tracks and Poles
Assembled in Colchester, Essex

It’s been such a busy time here in Barretts, and many of you have come in to see me and make very kind comments about my blog.   Thank you!

The really good news is that I have lost weight!  Hoorah!!  The bad news is that everyone thinks I have actually put some on, only because my coat is growing long again after my Summer trims.  I’m still on my ‘one meal a day’ diet until I get to my ‘ideal weight’.  It’s so unfair…  And it’s nearly Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, the famous Woodbridge Christmas Street Fayre was on Sunday 5^th December.  As ever, Barretts provided mulled wine, spiced apple juice, sausages rolls and mince pies in aid of  St Elizabeth’s Hospice.  Woodbridge was very busy and a great time was had by all, as can be seen from the photos below.

Another special event for us was the Barretts Rug Evening.  The whole shop was festooned was fabulous hand knotted rugs – you could have been in a Peshawar Bazaar!  I think the big pink Ziegler was my favorite, I could really stretch out on that one for a snooze.  As well as wine and nibbles, customers could also enter a prize draw for a rug worth £250, and Keith Delaney was the lucky winner (seen here with my Mistress Jill).  Even if you missed our Rug Evening it’s still a great time to buy as we have a fantastic range still available.

Time for my ‘what’s new’ section – a quick catch-up on our wonderful new stock.  In the Linens Department we have some beautiful duvet covers and bedspreads designed by Emma Bridgewater (my favourite is ‘Birds’, seen below).

With the chilly weather now upon us, I’m very glad we’ve got flannelette duvet covers (in striped beige, blue and pink), and electric blankets (single, double and king size).  We’re very patriotic at Barretts, and to prove it we have Union Jack floor cushions and pouffes from £29.99.

In our Sofas department there’s the new ‘Venice’ sofabed from Alstons, very handy for those occasional guests and with a ‘pocket sprung’ option for extra comfort!

Our Curtains, Blinds, and Fabric department boasts new fabrics from Lorient Decor ‘Pemberly’, fresh and floral, and Clarissa Hulse for Harlequin ‘Kallianthi’, rich and contemporary.

Well, that’s it from me.  I hope your Christmas preparations are in full swing, and that you really enjoy the festive season.  Don’t forget to pop in and see me (and our other lovely new things), and please do mention to my Master and Mistress that you think I have lost some weight!

PS  Our Winter Sale starts on Wednesday 28th December…

Daisy
x

‘Woof’ and welcome to my blog on the brand new Barretts of Woodbridge website!

Let me introduce myself – I belong to my Mistress (Jill Barrett – shop owner) and my Master (Michael Grist – some junior manager) and they live with me and Jill’s daughters Vicky and Annie, with Master’s daughters Mia and Ollie regular visitors. I am a ‘Fell’ terrier, or a ‘Patterdale’, or a ‘Patterdale Border Cross’ or whatever! I’m basically a lovely, friendly dog who loves to be cuddled and fussed. So long as you are not a cat or a postman, you will be welcome to come and say hello (avoiding Mondays as it’s my day off).

Before I tell you what’s new in the shop, I have some grave news… Master and Mistress, normally kind, caring people, have had me on a starvation diet for the past 6 weeks. One meal a day!!! Can you believe it? Ok, I was slightly over-weight, and was recently confused for a sausage dog, but I mean to say, one meal a day! So if you were planning to pop in to the shop, any titbits will be gratefully received. Be discreet, and human food only please – I’m not keen on dog snacks…

So, what’s new with the shop? If you haven’t visited us recently, you will be amazed to see a new window in the side of the shop, a new purpose built Softs Department, and the main furniture showroom completely refurbished! It looks fantastic, and the extra sunlight in the afternoon really helps with my naps. Well worth a visit for a look.

We’ve had some very nice people recently join us – Carol (new Head of Softs), Karen (Linens), and David (Delivery Team), and all meet my high standards for friendliness, helpfulness, and of course, paying me attention!

The other big news is that Christmas has also come to Barretts, so the whole Linen Department at the front of the shop has become Festive Wonderland. Lovely – but those scented pinecones play havoc with my nose! I’ll be smelling cinnamon and cloves until May!

One more quick update – if you’re on the hunt for a lamp table, DVD chest, or nested tables, we’ve just had a delivery of solid oak pieces from Woodpecker.

Hope you enjoyed my first ever blog, hope to meet you in person soon. If I really like you, I’ll roll over onto my back for a belly tickle – my favourite!

Love

Daisy
x