Elegant New Boutique Marks a Significant Milestone for Luxury Jeweller

08 Jan 2025

Baker Brothers is a family-run, independent luxury jewellery and watch retailer with a legacy spanning over 185 years in the heart of Bedford. Celebrated for their expertise in exquisite diamonds and luxury timepieces, they are deeply cherished by their loyal customers and highly respected within the UK jewellery and watch industry.

The recent opening of their new elegant two-floor boutique has sparked significant interest, both locally and professionally. This multimillion-pound investment reflects the owners’ vision to evolve Baker Brothers’ jewellery business while strengthening their successful partnership with renowned Swiss watchmaker Rolex. It also underscores their commitment to reinforcing the brand’s long-standing ties to the Bedford community.

The new store is a relocation and major expansion of its previous site, just a few doors away. Directors (and sisters) Lizzie and Rebecca, were instrumental in the vision for their new boutique, wanting to build on their renowned tradition for delivering superb customer service and respond to the evolving needs of their discerning clientele. 

They chose Greenwich based retail design consultants Innovare Design to help inspire, support, and guide them through this project. Clients Lizzie and Rebecca agree that “we couldn’t have done this without Lloyd and his team. Innovare steered us through an enjoyable creative process and then calmly helped us navigate the complexity of choices and decisions associated with a redevelopment project of this scale.”

“Understanding the client brief right at the start was critical”, says Lloyd Blakey, Founder and Creative Director at Innovare Design. “Our creative process began with a blank sheet of paper and was informed by our clients’ wish list, the needs of the brands they represent, and importantly, by their customer feedback. Armed with all this we were able to hone our space planning and creativity to realise a retail environment that delivers for everyone.”  

From the elegant new shopfront and throughout the interior, every need has been carefully considered by the Innovare Design team. From the welcome desk at the front of the store the space planning flows easily, revealing tempting views from the Jewellery area into the Watch Gallery, and the aftersales Lounge beyond. The new Rolex room is also clearly visible with its wide bronze archway highlighting the entrance into this impressive brand space. Upstairs leads to the private Bridal room and a new state-of-the-art Rolex Authorised Service Centre.

The overall colour palette combines warm taupe and neutrals with accents of gold, black and red in the scheme. And the Baker Brothers diamond chevron, from their brand identity, has inspired several creative touches in the design.

The entire space exudes a luxurious yet cosy feel. Underfoot a sumptuous plush carpet, inset into a porcelain tile surround, helps to zone each ‘department’ while a dramatic chevron tiled floor further divides each of the main Baker Brothers rooms. 

Walls are finished with a blend of different textures, from Venetian polished plaster to painted timber and silk-velvet panels, which add to the interior layering and luxury feel of the environment. 

A range of bespoke contemporary display cabinets to the wall and mid-floors feature ebony stained timber, black metal, and rich brass detailing. Each beautifully showcases the Baker Brothers’ curated presentation of flawless diamond and gemstone jewellery as well as watches. There are matching timber consultation desks with inset leather tops, featuring an intricate brass chevron detail. 

Striking and playful soft furnishings in a mixture of gold, black and red fabrics, adorn chairs, cushions and a sofa adding to the sense of a warm and comfortable welcome at consultation desks and in VIP areas. Indeed, the larger floor space has afforded Baker Brothers the opportunity to significantly elevate their VIP hospitality service. The Jewellery and Watch Gallery share an enticing central bar which creates an attractive vista from the front entrance. There is also a bespoke hospitality unit to service the frequent celebrations in the first-floor Bridal room.   

Of course, lighting plays a critical role from the exterior window display and throughout the interior. A carefully balanced scheme ensures that eyes are drawn to the exquisite displays while ambient lighting, feature chandeliers and softer more intimate pendants deliver the appropriate warmth and atmosphere required.

Finishing touches include an array of brand imagery which adorns the walls expressing the essence and quality of the Baker Brothers award winning fine jewellery design service. 

A little over 12 months after committing to this huge redevelopment project, the Baker Brothers team proudly welcomed customers into their elegant new boutique. “We’ve had a fabulous reception from both our customers and our brand partners. The space is delivering for us on all fronts,” say Lizzie & Rebecca. 

Lloyd Blakey concludes, “it’s always a balance with a luxury retail design project of this nature. We wanted to elevate the store experience for customers without losing the much-loved existing character of the previous interior. We are obviously delighted to have achieved this for our client”.

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Source: Innovare Design