WL Design 25

WL Design 25 Winners 2025: Bridal Bliss

A Calgary bridal boutique features bold architecture and playful Parisian charm.

By Kerri Donaldson /
Michelle Johnson

Photos by Michelle Johnson

Why shouldn’t workspaces be as dazzling as the gowns they inspire? Designer Sarah Ward delivers a très chic space fit for the occasion with her design for the Lis Simon bridal studio in Calgary. Taking design cues from Emily in Paris, Ward transformed a former flooring warehouse into a multifunctional studio defined by bold architectural features and playful Parisian charm.

The showstopping feature (besides the bride, of course)—a soaring white-arched colonnade crafted from cost-effective drywall—adds architectural drama while seamlessly guiding movement between public and private areas. With the dreamy bridal gowns displayed in recessed niches, the room doubles as a stunning event space and photoshoot backdrop.

Thoughtful details like curvy velvet seating, a rippled pendant light and an organic coffee table evoke the inviting charm of a Parisian salon. In the kitchen, a French steel and Carrara marble island is framed by soft, lavender-toned millwork and a feature wall with an integrated planter—bringing in the fresh, calming feel of a breezy lavender field.

Project: Lis Simon bridal studio
Designer: Sarah Ward Interiors
Collaborators: Persimmon Contracting
Location: Calgary

Meet all of the 2025 WL Design 25 winners here.

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson is an assistant editor at Western Living (and sister mag Vancouver) where she writes about future design stars for the regular “One to Watch” feature and home design stories. Pitch her at [email protected].