Commercial Interior Design for Retail, Hospitality & Boutique Hotels
We work with independent retailers, hospitality businesses and boutique hotels to design considered, commercially viable interiors across Scotland.
Skela Studio is an Edinburgh-based interior design practice specialising in retail, commercial and residential projects throughout Scotland. We create thoughtful, well-designed spaces that support the way businesses operate and people live, balancing creativity with practicality.
Retail interior design is at the forefront of what we do. We work closely with independent retailers to help them develop distinctive spaces with a strong identity in a competitive market, while remaining functional, flexible and commercially viable. We believe independent retailers add character and value to our high streets, and we are proud to support them through carefully considered design.
Many of our projects involve working closely with brand experts, makers and marketers to ensure interior spaces align seamlessly with both online and in-person brand experiences. From bespoke joinery and space planning to material selection and visual direction, every element is carefully considered.
Alongside retail, we also undertake a broad range of commercial interior design projects in Edinburgh and across Scotland, including cafés, bars, restaurants, hospitality spaces and creative work environments. Projects can range from an initial site visit and strategic design advice through to full interior fit-outs and refurbishments. Where needed, we also provide art direction to help shape a clear and cohesive visual identity for the space.
Explore our work:
- Commercial interior design projects
- Residential interior design projects
As seen on House of the Year
As seen on Strictly Come Dancing
What our clients say
Aleksandra has achieved something remarkable with our kilt shop refurbishment in Inverness, preparing all the interior and exterior design drawings, product selection, purchasing props, and furniture designs for the builders. With the refurb now nearing completion, Aleksandra has also staged the shop, and the result is stunning. Massive thanks again!
David A. – Ben Wyvis Kilts
Commercial Interior Design
Commercial interior design is a natural extension of our retail work. We design spaces that support how businesses operate day to day, while creating environments that feel considered, welcoming and practical.
Our commercial projects include cafés, bars, restaurants, hospitality spaces, studios and small work environments across Edinburgh and Scotland. Each project begins with understanding how the space is used, the constraints involved and the experience you want to create for staff and customers alike.
From space planning and material selection to lighting and bespoke joinery, we take a measured, collaborative approach, ensuring the finished space works both operationally and visually.
Residential interior design
Our residential interior design services range from individual room schemes to full home renovations. We begin by listening carefully, ensuring each project reflects how you live and what matters most to you. Clients can be as involved in the design process as they wish, with support tailored to suit their needs.
Our work often includes sourcing antiques and contemporary furniture, lighting, artwork and textiles, as well as designing bespoke joinery where required. Every element is considered as part of a cohesive whole, rather than in isolation.
We place great importance on managing projects carefully, working within agreed timescales and budgets. This considered approach has led to many clients returning to us for future projects and recommending us to others.
Aleksandra J.Hannah founded Skela Studio in 2015 after more than a decade shaping customer journeys as a retail stylist and visual merchandiser for high-street brands including Debenhams and the Arcadia Group. She retrained in interior design to bring the same calibre of thinking to independent businesses and considered homes across Scotland.
Her work spans retail and hospitality, from book stores and kilt shops to cafés, boutique hotels and flexible workspaces, always balancing material intelligence, confident colour and lighting as a guiding architectural element.
Alongside studio work, Aleksandra delivers workshops and guest lectures for organisations including Google, Accenture, the City of Edinburgh Council and Heriot-Watt University, sharing practical insights into interior strategy, customer flow and the power of light.
At Skela Studio, we create spaces that work hard, feel effortless and stand the test of time.
What our clients say
Stephen Bolland (Henderson’s Optometrists – Perth)We were looking to revitalise our independent opticians practice to attract new patients, while being mindful not to alienate our existing client base. Aleksandra took time to understand our concerns through a detailed pre-visit questionnaire and an on-site visit to the business.
The design she presented exceeded our expectations, both in terms of creativity and the level of thought and detail involved. The clarity of the design process and the explanations provided also had the added benefit of energising the whole staff team, who are now fully on board with the plans.
Read more client feedback →
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Interior Design for Argonaut Books Edinburgh Completed March 2022
