January Newsletter

Happy New Year

It has been a long time since my last newsletter but the start of the new year seemed like a good chance to catch up after a wonderfully busy Christmas. Those of you who enjoyed our country house Christmas window will know that our selection of decorations was better than ever and having already ordered baubles for 2017 I am confident that you will love the new themes just as much.

We are now thinking of Spring and new window ideas for Mothers' Day and Easter. We hope they will continue to inspire you when looking for gifts and interior pieces throughout the year.

New year, new brands and ranges

The winning new brands from Christmas were Addison Ross, IXLI and Katie Loxton. We have been stocking the popular enamel and wooden photo frames from Addison Ross for years but we now have their scented candles and diffusers. My favourite is 'Off the beaten track' which smells of musky fir and juniper. Ixli is a French brand of gorgeous gloves and slipper socks that were such a hit for presents last month and we will be getting new designs later in the year. The Katie Loxton make up bags and pouches all come in gift bags and have witty sayings printed across them. Their stylish greetings cards all have a gold seal for the envelope - a lovely finishing touch. New designs from Emma Bridgewater will be arriving very soon.

Don't forget to ask

At Casa Fina we, like many independent businesses, pride ourself on customer service. We would hate to have pushy sales staff but we are there to help and if you can't find what you are looking for do ask. Sometimes we know where stock is hidden away, what deliveries are about to arrive or the name of a supplier or shop who can help if we can't. We can also let you try bigger items, such as lamps, at home with an On Approval service. 

Keeping in touch

We try hard to keep our loyal customers abreast of everything that is happening in the shop. If you are able to pop in regularly it's easy but for those of you who find that difficult do remember that we are on

Twitter @casafinasusi,

Facebook @Casafinasalisbury and

Instagram @casafinainsta.

Hello and Goodbye

We welcome three new members of staff who joined us in the months before Christmas. Maddy, Hannah and Emily are all going to be sharing Saturdays. They have had to learn quickly and have done a brilliant job.

Sharon is sadly leaving us at the end of January. She has been part of our staff for many years and could always be relied upon to go the extra mile to make sure that customers found what they needed. We wish her and Tad a great 2017.

We had a great response to our appeal for a new member of the team. More news next time.

Vintage notes - Spode

Josiah Spode ranks alongside Josiah Wedgewood with regard to the history of English pottery. In the late Eighteenth century Spode produced the first Willow pattern pieces using under glaze printing and perfected the manufacture of bone china. The Blue Italian design dates from 1816 and is still made today although some shapes are sadly produced in China.

Pieces marked Copeland Spode date from the era when the pottery was bought by William Taylor Copeland whose family ran it until it was merged with royal Worcester in 1966. The company has recently been acquired by the Portmeirion Group.