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Inside Dress Dreams

Dress Dreams has recently renovated and have curated a beautiful interior. We interview Kate to find out their inspirations behind the redesign for their bridal boutique.

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Name of store: Dress Dreams Bridal Boutique
Store owner: Kate Bull
Number of years trading: 6
Brands stocked: Riki Dalal (NOYA by Riki Dalal & LIRI by Riki Dalal), Viero Bridal, Zavana, Studio Levana (plus size), Anna Georgina and others.
Location: Dress Dreams can be found in the beautiful town of Sevenoaks, Kent

Why did you decided to renovate your shop?

Having taken over ownership of Dress Dreams in September 2020, I wanted to create a unique bridal boutique experience that truly escapes the ordinary. Dress Dreams is a bridal boutique that offers that something a little bit different. We stock dresses that stand out from the crowd, that have the ‘wow’ factor, and we wanted to create a boutique that’s as glamorous and sassy as our dresses.


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Interior Design: Getting It RightInterior Design: Getting It Right

How did you find the process of renovating?

I was lucky to have a great team, and the kindest, calmest builder you can find. The refurbishment was quite extensive (from ceiling to floor!) so in our case lockdown provided an opportunity to do this that we would not otherwise have had. It has been such a difficult time for our industry, it was really nice to have been able to achieve something positive out of it.

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

Our boutique refurbishment coincided with the creation of a complete rebranding, so our beautiful new brand iD, colour palette and motifs provided all the inspiration in the world! I had a very strong vision of what I wanted, and the amazing graphic designers I worked with for our rebranding really helped me bring this to life in the interiors.

MI - Dress Dreams Inspiring Interiors collage.jpg

What are the key features of the new interior?

We spent a lot of time thinking about the entire experience for our brides and we wanted to create somewhere really special for this incredibly important moment. A key feature for us was a beautiful seating area where we can spend time getting to know the bride and make her feel comfortable. The scalloped dusky pink sofa and chairs are just perfect and feel both luxurious and welcoming.

Our brides are savvy and connected so I really wanted to create an area where they could take photographs of themselves and their guests on their special shopping day so we installed a fabulous Instagram wall. It’s pink and girly, glamorous and fun with pampas grass and palms. We’ve already used it loads and we’re not even open!

What kind of space have you created?

Stepping into Dress Dreams is stepping out of the ordinary, it feels super exciting and glamorous. It has been designed to feel luxe and chic, but at the same time it’s playful and welcoming. It’s modern and aspirational.

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

The colour palette and our brand iD are very striking so this is the first thing you notice when you walk in. For me, it’s about the little details, from our breath-taking floral displays, feature pendant lights, to unique hooks in the dressing room. We have even included little touches in the bathroom, everything has been carefully thought about to enhance our brides experience with us.

MI - Dress Dreams Inspiring Interiors reception.jpg

Now you have renovated, how do you approach your window displays?

Our boutique has a large window frontage on two sides. I spent a lot of time thinking about the window displays as I wanted to let the light in but also keep it private and secretive so that customers felt secure and cosy when inside. Our solution to this was to install the most stunning frosted decals featuring our brand iD and new motif. This has also meant we have been able to reduce the number of mannequins we display and I think this is more striking, not to mention easier to keep on top of!

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

  1. Be clear about your brand image and vision before you start. This was the driver behind everything we did, and this made the process so much easier.
  2. Know your strengths and weaknesses and get help where you need it. I knew I had a strong vision for what I wanted but needed a bit of help with the layout in the space we had available. So, I worked with a builder and an interior designer on that aspect of the project which was money well spent.
  3. Be brave!
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