Rainne Lorenzo has always had an eye for beauty – and her previous stint as a magazine editor allowed her to use this skill in coming up with compelling stories. Her business venture, a little shop called Home Love Point, started as a weekend project with her husband Jovel (who is a veteran photographer), then side-hustle, and now it’s a full-fledged mini enterprise with a newly-opened physical store. Rainne gives us a peek inside her store and shares some practical tips for work-from-home mamas.

What have you been doing in your space since the lockdown?

"The lockdown enabled me to focus on growing my little Instagram shop. noticed there was an increase in interest on my products at Home Love Point, which are mostly Japanese dinnerware. I was quite busy not only trying to offer what items are available from the shop but also getting in touch with my suppliers, which became very difficult. Aside from setting up a homeschool corner for my son, I also set up a portion of our home to be my official office/ storage area for all my wares. I commissioned someone to create a new table and cabinet and set up a more workable space."

"The biggest change for me was setting up a physical shop. Home Love Point has always existed via Instagram, but I found myself being offered the opportunity that I might not be able to do otherwise if it weren’t for our new normal. It was really time to have a store because new stocks were always coming in – and our home just won’t be able to accommodate all of it."

What was your inspiration for creating the look of your shop?

"I wanted to create a “tiny shop feel” surrounded by greens where people can pretty much go and find themselves a bowl, plate or mug that brings them joy. I did not change anything in the shop - the space looked like it was made for me: glass walls, open shelves, and a large charming cabinet. The crockeries I had just gave the shop more life and character. "

What are your design plans for your store? 

"My shop is a work in progress – and we’re still on soft opening! It’s a charming space at only 6.5 sqm., which makes it both easy and hard to decorate. I can’t put too many non-essentials (creating a counter was a challenge!) but I already know how I want people to see the store and that’s a place where they can find something pretty and interesting in the smallest corners of the shop - and hopefully find something that really speaks to them."

What are your tips for work-from-home mamas like you? 

"I’ve been working from home for the past 8 years and I admit it’s not easy. It’s hard to put a structure in the things you do simply because work overlaps with things to do at home. Keep to a schedule, create a comfortable space where you can work and design it depending on your preference." 

---------

Follow Home Love Point on Instagram: @homelovepoint

Home Love Point is located at FRDC Building, 106 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Brgy Ugong, Pasig City.