Name of store: Ashleigh Richards Bridal             
Store owners: Ashleigh Oseland and Richard Annable          
Number of years trading: 3
Brands stocked: Sincerity by Justin Alexander, White Rose Bridal, Millie May Bridal, LQ Designs, Lore White & Martin Thornburg - a Mon Cheri collection.           
Location: It’s not the usual place for a Bridal boutique! We are located inside a small chapel built in 1888. After burning down in 2010, our little boutique has brought meaning back to the building.

How did you find the process of decorating?

We initially found the process quite difficult because the chapel had previously been used as an open plan office. Whilst it was beautifully renovated, it was lifeless, and we couldn’t really change much inside. We had to focus on designing an interesting, yet functional, interior. It took us many attempts to come up with our final layout and we had to try different pieces of furniture before agreeing on the right ones.

Where did you find your inspiration for the interior design of your shop?

Building on the character of the chapel, which has beautiful cast iron radiators and exposed metal beams in the high ceiling, we wanted to continue with the theme. For our dress rails, we opted for industrial scaffolding poles to blend in with the unique interior. This allowed us to create a large and open space to display our collection of dresses. Beyond this, we really let the chapel speak for itself! Around the base of the walls are the original light turquoise tiles, which have hints of the past imprinted in them. It has elegant windows in all aspects, so what more could we ask for?

What are the key features of your interior and why are they so important for the bridal experience?

We have three main features in our boutique. Firstly, we have two large changing rooms with big, clear mirrors. Each bride should have enough space to feel at ease and it enables us to provide everything she needs during her appointment. Secondly, we have enough comfortable seating to accommodate the bride’s family and friends as it is just as important that they feel relaxed and enjoy the experience. Finally, all of our dresses are open and easily accessible to all our brides, and their guests. This gives everybody the opportunity to look through our gorgeous collection without any pressure.

What kind of space have you created?

The boutique we’ve created is open, welcoming and inclusive of all brides. The interior is functional whilst having a homely feel. We prefer comfort over formality and that includes soft sofas, coffee tables for drinks and fluffy rugs. We didn’t feel the need to impress brides with over-accessorising and went with a more laid back approach.

Is there anything in your interior that makes your boutique stand out?

We are very lucky to be situated in such a beautiful building which is so open, light and airy. On a summer’s day, the inside of the chapel is bathed in golden sunlight. We continued trying to be different, and brought life back into the chapel, with the use of a modern bold colour. We chose a luxurious emerald green and used it to decorate our changing rooms and also worked it in our furniture.

Finally, can you give us your top three tips for creating a stunning interior?

1)    Be unique. Don’t follow the trends and pick something that works for you and reflects on your personality. Stand out from the crowd. 
2)    Have an engaging environment for your brides and their guests. Add finishing touches to create interesting spaces. Embrace quirky or unusual features of your building/space.
3)    Sometimes less is more: have a few main elements to your interior but don’t overdo it!