The Blog
In our NOLA Blog, readers will find insightful articles and helpful tips on creating visually appealing and functional retail spaces and displays. From the latest design trends to practical advice on maximizing your store's potential, our blog offers a wealth of information for anyone looking to elevate their retail space.
NOLA Designs - 5 Years Anniversary
NOLA Designs is turning 5, and we couldn’t be more excited and grateful for this significant milestone! As a boutique interior design agency that specializes in creating stunning retail spaces for female-owned brick-and-mortar businesses, we’ve been on an exciting journey over the past 5 years. And we want you to be a part of it!
Is Working With A Retail Designer Right For You?
A retail designer is an expert in all things design, from choosing the right color scheme to selecting the right fixtures and furniture to align with your brand and shop concept. Whether you're starting a new business or giving your current shop a much-needed facelift, a retail designer can help you create a space that reflects your brand and the customer experience you want to provide.
A Walkthrough Of Our Retail Design Process
A lot of clients ask us about our retail design process and are not entirely sure how much time to budget for the design process! So we wanted to share our phases along with you to learn more about what we do and how we do it!
Retail Lighting Guide
The right lighting can make all the difference in creating an attractive atmosphere that will retain customers. So, it is important to strike a balance between lighting that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and energy-efficient to better create an inviting and effective retail experience.
Summer Visual Merchandising: 4 Inspiring Display Ideas
The season of sunshine, warm weather, ice cream, and, of course, lots of shopping! As a retail store owner, you want to make sure that your store stands out when the temperatures rise. How? With fun and engaging visual displays that perfectly capture the spirit of this wonderful season!
Interview with Raine Hewlett - The Wax Lounge Spotlight
We recently had the absolute pleasure of working alongside Raine Hewlett, the founder of The Wax Lounge in Hamilton, to redesign her award-winning boutique studio spa. Raine had a dream of creating a beautiful, warm and state-of-the-art medical spa in a holistic setting that allowed each client to relax both mind and body. We took Raine’s inspiration and created what is now a modern and soothing space for her and her clients in the heart of Hamilton. We had a chat with her about the overall spa-designing experience. Read on!
Retail Design Tips You Will Need When Opening Your First Retail Store
Opening your first retail store is a thrilling experience, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many things to consider, from choosing the right location to finding the perfect products to sell. But before you can even start selling your products, you need to create a space that will attract the right customers.
Types of Window Displays that will Drive Foot Traffic This Spring!
Spring is right around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about updating your window displays. As the weather warms up and people start to venture outside again, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your store's latest products and designs.
The Perfect Bride : More 2 Love Bridal Feature with Co-Founders Monika & Laura
It’s not everyday that we get to dive into a project that embodies every girl’s dream : Bridal gowns! We had so much fun working with Monika and Laura of More 2 Love Bridal and being inspired by their colourful vision to design this gorgeous retail shop.
Good vs. Bad Visual Merchandising
Visual merchandising is the key to retail sales success - and it all happens in just eight seconds! That is how little time a store has to make an impression on customers, and the way products are displayed can either entice them to buy or turn them away.
Planning Your Store Layout and Things You Can Find on Amazon to Help You
Looking to spruce up your retail space and drive more sales? The layout of your store is crucial to the shopping experience, so it is worth taking the time to plan it out carefully. From determining the flow of traffic to showcasing your products in the best possible light, there are several factors to consider.
In the Press: DHL - How Store Design Can Turn Browsers Into Buyers
Even in the digital-first world of today, a brick-and-mortar store can be a great way to grow your small business. As a tangible touch point for consumers, a retail space is the backbone of offline commerce, and, when designed effectively, can help you attract new customers.
Lighting You Need for Your Retail Space
Lighting is one of the most important elements when designing a retail store. Yet, because it isn’t often the most cosmetic in appearance (like furniture or fixtures), lighting has the ability to set the tone in terms of the mood and ambience of your store, create hierarchy amongst your products and has the overall ability to make the shopping experience in your store more pleasant!
Interview with The Knitting Loft Founders : Bruna & Maria
The Knitting Loft is yarn heaven for the dreamers, creators, and of course, the knitting enthusiasts. Located in Toronto, Canada, the shop features a modern aesthetic, and unique selection, including indie dyes, natural fibre, and rustic yarns coming in all colours of the rainbow.
Nola Inspo : Get the "Minimalist Jewelry Display" Look
Jewelry can make or break an outfit! Such an impactful detail of an ensemble should be showcased in-store with care — we suggest displaying each jewelry piece with enough room to exhibit its intricate design.
Nola Inspo : Get the "Scandinavian Modern" Look
Who doesn’t love a crisp White and Black Interior! If you are working on creating a new shop that has this Scandinavian-inspired modern aesthetic - we’ve got you covered!
Top 5 Tips to Prepare Your First Pop-Up Shop
With so many brands now operating from an online store, and with businesses in various stages of closure due to the pandemic - people are looking for real-life experiences again. We are looking to feel more connected to brands and to each other!
Retail Design Updates You can make in the Slow Seasons
In the holiday rush have you taken a moment to think ahead to the 'slow season' that soon follows? Grab a coffee, take a deep breath and read on... Retail design updates are all about making your store more inviting, engaging and feel more personal.
Nola Inspo : Get the "Neutral Chic" Look
We have so many of our clients asking us how to get a specific look when designing their stores. They come to us with beautifully planned Pinterest Boards (ahh a designer’s dream!), and most of the time, they really follow a clear aesthetic. Today, we want to talk about achieving a beautiful neutral chic look in your store and how to piece it all together!
