Small Retail Space Design: A Bohemian Boutique in the Heart of Baltimore
If you’ve been to the Rotunda in Baltimore lately, you’ve probably noticed how much it’s changed over the last few years. It’s now one of the coolest places to shop, eat, and hang out. My kids love the turf area and the splash pad in the event plaza. And, it just so happens that I had the privilege of creating my first small retail space design right in that area of the Rotunda!
What was once a long-vacant restaurant has been completely reimagined into Personify, a bright, inspiring retail store. The new space perfectly captures the creative, community-driven spirit that’s made the Rotunda such a beloved part of Baltimore’s revival.
“After” photos credited to Milana Braslavsky Photography.
The Thrift Queen
I was thrilled to take on my first small retail space design for my friend Rachel. Rachel used to be a registered nurse, but traded scrubs for style after her first baby was born. She has this amazing gift for putting outfits together; she mixes vintage and modern pieces in ways that make you wonder why you never thought of it first. Every item in Personify is thrifted, cleaned, and pressed with love, and Rachel makes styling people look effortless.
The space itself has such a story too—it used to be a restaurant and has been sitting empty for years. Breathing new life into it and watching it transform into something so full of personality felt like pure magic.
The History of this Kiosk
Like I said, we are pretty sure this space used to be a restaurant—there are clues everywhere. The floors had old drains, one window opened like a concession stand, and everything (and I mean everything) was coated in years of built-up grease. It was one of those spaces where you could feel the history the moment you walked in—but you also knew it was going to need some serious elbow grease before the fun could begin.
New Floors
Once we finally got the place cleaned up (goodbye, mystery grease!), the first change in our small retail space design was the flooring. Luckily, my friend Heang had some leftovers from when she put new flooring in her house. Talk about a win for the budget! The space itself is really small, so every design choice had to be intentional. Fresh floors instantly made it feel brighter, cleaner, and ready for a whole new story to unfold.
The Design
Rachel gave me total creative freedom with the design, which is every DIYer’s dream! I wanted the space to reflect her neutral, bohemian style while keeping things simple enough for the clothes to take center stage.
Just like Rachel’s curated clothing, almost everything in the store is thrifted—furniture, decor, even some of the fixtures. The only new additions were the clothing racks and the curtains for the dressing room. It’s amazing what you can create when you mix resourcefulness with a clear vision.
Personify’s Personality
Rachel and I both love thrifting. We can spend hours digging through racks, finding hidden gems, and dreaming up ways to give old pieces new life. It’s such a joy to share the same values with a friend and client who cares about creativity, sustainability, and having fun with fashion as much as I do.
Rachel has this incredible eye for color and a knack for spotting pieces with personality. She takes these beautiful, once-forgotten clothes and turns them into something fresh and full of joy. Just like her store.
Find the Thrifts!
One of my favorite parts of this project was the counter in the photo below. We actually found it for free! It’s this incredible vintage dresser that now serves as the checkout counter, and it couldn’t be more perfect. The character, the shape, the little imperfection, it all fits Rachel’s aesthetic so well.
I also found the lace curtains and all the accessories from thrift shops! If you’re not buying second-hand yet, let this be your invitation to start!
Shop Small!
I hope you’ll stop by Personify next time you’re at the Rotunda—and be sure to tell Rachel I said hi! It’s so important to support small business owners who pour their hearts into their work. I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created together, and I know you’ll feel the love and creativity in every corner of the shop.
If you need support designing a space in your home or business, give me a call! I love helping people bring their vision to life—whether it’s a cozy corner, a full home makeover, or a brand new business like Personify.
