The Original Home Store, which opens its doors in Little Bookham on Saturday 18th September 2010, is the latest venture for Damian and Lou Cronin. Ex-rugby international Damian Cronin left the world of rugby in 1998 to set up his own architectural reclamation business specialising in wood and stone flooring, whose clients include the flagship Apple store in Covent Garden, the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge, White Stuff, Jigsaw and Sting.
 
Damian and his wife Lou decided to expand the business to include a showroom and shop specialising in salvaged, vintage, new, traditional, reclaimed, reused and restored kitchenware, homeware, furniture, lighting, giftware, partyware, DIY, ironmongery, tools and gardenware.
 
"The Original Home Store complements our existing business and offers something a bit different - a unique combination of old and new. We are very excited to be embarking on this project which we have been thinking about for sometime. The inspiration came from family and friends enquiring about pieces in our own home. It used to be a running joke that we should price everything in the house," said Lou Cronin.
 
"Our stocks have been, where possible, ethically produced and sourced using small suppliers and family businesses. Many of the items are from around the world and represent a piece of nostalgia, each with their own story to tell. We are passionate about what we sell and love objects which are practical and useful, but where possible restored or remade, reused and salvaged."
 
Damian and Lou have enlisted the help of their children, Callum, Connie, Ella, Maisy, Sascha and Evie, for ideas of things to sell or in the shop at weekends. This really is a family business and a project which all the Cronins have loved making together.
 
The Original Home Store is online only.
 
[Source: Press release from The Original Home Store