I can totally understand why this shop is entitled 'The Barn'. It's got a kind of storage feel to…read moreit, and you can't really move too far without tripping over something, or bumping into that other thing. Especially if your name's Lynne... Crammed full of furniture, soft furnishings, candles, gifts and a whole lot more, The Barn is a tad overwhelming if you're trying to find something specific. I quite like a challenge (most of the time), but since it was wet and I was carting half of Donaghadee's shops around with me (it certainly felt that way), I was pretty fed up and didn't exactly feel like having to dig too much. Plus, I was totally aware of my being ever so slightly clumsy at the best of times, and not wanting to end up paying through the nose for breakages etc., I decided to look and not touch. That was until I spotted a cute cat tea towel, and instantly knew my mum would love it. Managing (somehow) to pick it up off the rail, I admired the pattern whilst hunting for the price. Ah, yes there it was...£5.95?! Heavens above. Maybe I'm a bit stingy, but I certainly wasn't paying that for a tea towel. Not a chance. Everything else seemed to be slightly pricier than I'd first thought, right down to the scented candles which started at £2. At this stage, I realised there were three likely-things-to-happen: 1) I knock something over. 2) I buy something. 3) I leave. The latter being the cheapest option meant it was instantly favoured (not flavoured, that's an entirely different thing altogether). I'm much too poor for such shops. Nice stock though...

Well, as I often say, you can never have enough room for gifts. Or something like. Well, after a…read moretrip to this perfect little gift emporium, I might just have proven them right...I was entirely tempted to buy the whole shop. Right from the moment I opened the shop door, and that beautiful sweet scent of some astounding fragrance hit me right up the nose, I knew this was going to be a titillating visit. Filled with mental notes to self, such as, 'Oooh, check out those handmade cards over there, complete with little sequins in the shape of hearts and stars!', and 'Ooooh, they have such pretty napkins', and indeed 'Bags. I don't need a bag. Wait, my sister needs a bag for her formal. Oooh baby'...yes, it was a tumultuous experience for me. In an incredibly good way. Not only does Home have the most exquisite gifts and greetings cards, but it also encompasses the luxury (yet affordable) home decor end of things, with the likes of dining tables / chairs, dressers and cushions available to purchase. And if that's not enough, they offer a wedding list service, a flower arranging service and a gift wrapping service. Arriba! Yes, thank you every much to anything and everything. I love it all.

From the owner: Gorgeous gifts for all occasions including new born babies, weddings, birthdays or merely a lovely…read morethank you for that someone special. Our ranges include East of India, Yankee Candles, Maxwell Williams, leather gloves, stunning jewellery & beautiful scarves. We also stock lovely gifts and furniture for the home. We offer a gift wrap service, wedding lists, unique floral arrangements, as well as numerous items that can be personalised.

Martha's provides an interior design service for people with plenty of cash but no style or time…read morebut what draws me in are the exquisite home accessories. Think napkin rings, mugs and storage baskets that you just cannot live without. Ditto cushions, place mats and table cloths. I simply don't know how I managed before I got my blue checked table cloth and napkins. What was I thinking? This is the kind of place where you buy yourself the occasional treat and get gifts for Christmas and birthdays. Mostly for ladies it has to be said, unless you know any men with a taste for matching table linen. And lucky you, as they sound like fun. The costume jewellery is also worth a mention - lots of chunky silver(ish) necklaces and bracelets at reasonable prices - around £30 for a long chunky necklace. There's a café upstairs which is on my list of places to go. I didn't make it upstairs on my last visit but the smells wafting downstairs were enough to convince me that it's gonna be good!

So a paint shop wouldn't be my first choice of retail therapy but needs must and the shameful state…read moreof the exterior paint on our garage drove me to organise a painter and to my horror I discovered that he won't be bringing the paint with him. So I was forced to enter the alien world of a paint shop as someone had told me I would get a much better price there than in one of the big DIY stores. Happily I was pleasantly surprised as Johnsons is bright and airy and that the nice man working there was able to interpret my vague request for outdoor paint and get me exactly what I needed. He knew what kind of paint I needed (water based masonry paint if you must know) and even how much I would need. He even offered to give me a refund on one of the tins if it turned out that I didn't need it. I had a little chortle at their very proudly displayed certificate to prove that in 2008 the shop was 'an accident free zone'. No sign of a certificate for 2009. Maybe they had a clumsy employee that year.....

Called to get paint mixed to match a colour I had seen in B&Q, for wooden doors. The guy at the…read moretill had a laugh at me going elsewhere to choose a colour, but in good nature. What he didnt know about paint was worth knowing. He took time and with what to use and I was able to get the gloss, undercoat, and few other bits at an amazing price. Was well pleased. Have been back since and got the same service again. Great place to go for professional advice and service.

Visited the Craft Room today after lunch in the courtyard. The shop is up external staircase &…read morethrough doorway entrance to room on the right. Not a lot of space but lots to see, touch and handle. From knitwear to scarves, from wonderful photographs to magical robot lights everything is handmade by local artists. We bought some baby knitwear for a newborn great nephew, lovely little booties, mittens and bonnet to match in eggshell blue. William was very friendly and helpful and we will certainly return.

I can't believe I am the first person to review The Cove. This is a true Yelpers paradise. This wee…read moregift shop is literally full to the brim with antiques, cards, gifts and presents that your mum would like. Thy have a huge rang of vintage items set outside the store, this is what actually caught my attention. It's a bit like an upmarket car boot sale. There didn't really seem to be a theme to the items. There was a mix of furniture, household decorations and general bric-a-brac. I loved it - there is something really exciting about sifting through all their products. Almost like a treasure hunt. Antiques collectors would love this place. It also had a range of vintage camera equipment that was behind lock and key. Upstairs houses more modern handmade gifts, cards and part accessories. If you want a unique gift for a loved one or are decorating your home and want something a little different look no further than The Cove! Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Yes this shop is great. My first car was a Morris Minor, dark blue. I got a little Corgi car…read morejust like it, even the registration number is similar!

The Range is fab. On the site of old B&Q it has ample free car parking. Inside you can get…read moreeverything, from furnishings, to Christmas secs, luggage to toiletries, nick backs to diy and there is a cafe at the back

Yessssssssss!!!! I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally just what Ballymena needs!!!!!!!!!!!! But one of…read morethe employees keeps 'rapping' and it puts me off sometimes going in..... terrible costumer service from him too he just shrugs his shoulders

Great selection of plants (and trees which I was looking for). Friendly staff. Cheers.read more