The designers create Ethnic Aura within a compact footprint of just 335 sq. ft., making it more than a conventional retail boutique. The space functions simultaneously as a working studio, a place for design and craftsmanship, and an intimate setting for showcasing ethnic Indian wear. The designers create a space that feels personal and lived-in. They shape it more like a carefully curated home than a commercial store.
The challenge was to accommodate the multiple functions of a boutique and tailoring studio within a limited footprint, while ensuring that the space remained calm, uncluttered and inviting. Instead of treating the compact area as a limitation, the design uses careful zoning, visual continuity and multi-functional furniture to make every element work harder.
Ethnic Aura Creates a Working Studio Within a Compact Retail Boutique | Spaxis Design
The material and colour palette draws from a soft, nostalgic sensibility. Muted blush walls create a warm backdrop, detailed with a subtle floral motif that adds character without competing with the garments. Against this softer palette, natural wood and neutral textiles introduce subtle depth, contrast and visual warmth. The restrained backdrop allows the colours, textures and craftsmanship of the clothing to remain the visual focus.
One of the defining characteristics of the boutique is its relationship with vintage furniture. Rather than introducing conventional retail fixtures, the design incorporates wooden furniture pieces with traditional profiles and detailing. A central wooden display table, with its curved legs and classic character, becomes both a functional merchandising element and a visual anchor. The furniture gives the boutique a sense of familiarity and warmth, reinforcing the idea of a home-like retail experience.
The designers introduce traditional references through subtle cane detailing, arched forms, wooden surfaces, and handcrafted accents. They integrate these elements into the functional language of the boutique. Instead of using them as isolated decorative features, the designers make them part of the overall design. This approach creates a contemporary interpretation of Indian sensibilities rooted in craftsmanship and familiarity. At the same time, the clean design supports a modern retail experience.
The designers carefully develop the display system to maximise the available space without making it feel crowded. Open hanging rails and suspended wooden shelves allow garments and folded textiles to remain accessible while keeping the floor visually open. Small potted plants and curated objects add softness and bring an element of domesticity into the retail environment.
Mirrors play an important role in both the functional and spatial strategy. Arched mirrors and full-height reflective surfaces visually extend the compact space while creating multiple perspectives of the garments and interiors. The recurring arch becomes a subtle design language, appearing across mirrors, glazed partitions and architectural details. It introduces softness into the otherwise linear framework while creating continuity between different zones.
The boutique’s frontage extends this visual language through black-framed glass with arched detailing, creating a transparent connection between the corridor and the store. The designers position the display so people can view it from outside. This approach makes the garments part of the boutique’s visual identity even before visitors enter. The dark framing contrasts against the warm interiors and gives the entrance a refined, contemporary character.
Another important element is the integration of the tailor’s workshop within the retail environment. Rather than allowing the functional aspects of tailoring to dominate the customer-facing space, the workshop is discreetly incorporated behind the display and mirror elements. Soft fabric curtains help define the fitting and working areas while maintaining flexibility and visual connection. This allows the boutique to function as a working studio without compromising the calmness of the retail environment.
The flooring further contributes to the character of the space. A geometric black-and-white patterned floor is introduced selectively, creating a strong visual foundation beneath the central display area. Its graphic quality contrasts with the softer blush walls and warm wood, adding an element of traditional pattern interpreted through a contemporary lens. The flooring also helps subtly define the central zone without requiring physical partitions.
Lighting was approached as both a functional necessity and an important part of the ambience. Track lights are directed towards the garments and display surfaces, while warm pendant bulbs suspended above the central table create a more intimate atmosphere. The combination of focused retail lighting and warmer decorative illumination allows the boutique to transition between a working studio and a welcoming retail environment.
Despite its modest size, Ethnic Aura feels open, layered and fluid. Clear sightlines, reflective surfaces, open displays and carefully considered furniture placement prevent the space from feeling congested. Every element has been selected with a dual purpose—whether displaying garments, supporting studio work, defining a zone or contributing to the overall atmosphere.
Ultimately, Ethnic Aura is an exploration of how a small retail space can carry a strong sense of identity without relying on excess. By combining vintage furniture, Indian-inspired details, contemporary framing, soft colours and thoughtful functionality, the boutique creates an intimate environment where fashion, craftsmanship and design coexist naturally.
Fact File
Designed by: Spaxis Design
Project Type: Commercial- fashion boutique
Project Name: Ethnic Aura- A Fashion Atelier
Location: Vadodara
Year Built: 2025
Duration of the project: 2 Months
Project Size: 335 Sq ft.
Principal Designer: Sanjana Kantawala & Helly Shah
Design Credits: Surbhi Jadav
Photograph Courtesy: Pixellus Photography
Firm’s Website Link: Spaxis Design
The Firm’s Instagram Link: Spaxis Design
Firm’s Facebook Link: Spaxis Design
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