Catering for the discerning shopper is a job Valerie Cranfield has loved from the moment she began, even though it was born out of personal tragedy. 

Her homewares and fine furniture shop, Cranfields, has become something of an institution in its central Wellington location near Kirkcaldie & Stains and has created a loyal clientele.

One fan in the retail trade was so struck that he nominated Cranfields for an international homeware retail award, the Gia or Global Innovator Award.

Cranfields won the national finals and earlier this year Ms Cranfield went on to the final in Chicago against 19 other countries. She had no expectations so it was a big surprise when she won.

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