A note from our founder – December 2025
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a chapter that feels both momentous and deeply grounding for Shropshire Design.
There is no doubt that 2025 has unfolded against a challenging economic backdrop. Customers are understandably thinking more carefully about how and where they invest in their homes – seeking quality, longevity, and pieces that truly earn their place. Yet it has been precisely this climate that has sharpened our focus, reaffirmed our values, and made the milestones of this year feel all the more meaningful.
A new home in the heart of Albrighton
In summer 2025, we moved into our new home – a beautifully restored former Barclays Bank and 18th-century malthouse at 14 Station Road, in the heart of our home village of Albrighton.
Derelict for almost 15 years, these historic buildings had sadly become a blight on the high street. To be able to reimagine them as a living, working space for our business has been both a privilege and a responsibility. Purchased at auction in December 2021, the project has been years in the making, and seeing it finally come to life has energised our entire team.
Spanning thousands of square feet, the space now brings together our design studio, offices, storage, customer studio, and a new curated store under one roof. It is a place where timeless elegance meets modern innovation – a true showcase of the Shropshire Design aesthetic, but also a welcoming environment where customers can sit with us, discuss ideas, and explore pieces that are beautiful, exquisitely crafted, and utterly distinctive.
We have taken great care to honour the building’s history. Original malthouse beams have been preserved, and even horseshoes discovered during the renovation now form part of the story woven into the space. These details matter to us – they reflect our belief that the past should inform the future, not be erased by it.
We are already working on something truly special for the shop front, which we will be sharing in early 2026.
A year of pride and perspective
One of the proudest moments of the year came with our nomination as Shropshire’s Retailer of the Year by the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. Pitching our business to the judges on a warm May day gave me the chance to relive the journey – the risks taken, the lessons learned, and, most importantly, the relationships built along the way.
It was a reminder that Shropshire Design is not just about products, but about partnerships – with suppliers who share our standards, and customers who trust us with their homes.
Partnerships that shape what we do
This year also took us beyond the UK, with two important visits that reinforced the value of our long-standing partnerships.
We travelled to the Netherlands to spend time with the team at Richmond Interiors, where Rick and his colleagues welcomed us into their beautifully restyled showroom. Exploring their latest collections in person allowed us to assess new ranges first-hand, ensuring that what we bring back to Shropshire – and to our customers across the UK – is thoughtfully curated, responsibly sourced, and aligned with the way people want to live now.
Separately, a festive and wintry London provided the setting for our visit to Liang & Eimil. Meeting with Honghui Liang, Managing Director, and discussing their plans for the year ahead reinforced the importance of collaboration. Our conversations went beyond product alone, focusing on shared vision and how we can play a fundamental role in delivering collections that balance innovation with enduring appeal.
For our customers, these relationships offer reassurance: every piece has been carefully considered, not simply selected.
Looking ahead to 2026 – The Scent Room
As we look to the year ahead, 2026 feels quietly exciting.
In spring, we will open the doors to The Scent Room – a new retail concept at the front of our Albrighton store. Designed as a refined, sensorial emporium, The Scent Room will present an elegant, immersive yet approachable world of home fragrance.
Think of the quiet luxury of a beautifully composed perfume wardrobe, translated into the home. From generously sized, long-lasting reed diffusers to seasonal scents that evolve through the year, each fragrance is designed to elevate everyday living and bring character and comfort to every space.
Just as importantly, The Scent Room is about experience. Visitors will be invited to explore scent families, understand how top, heart, and base notes work together, and take the time to find a fragrance that feels right for their home. Refills will be available, encouraging a more thoughtful, lasting relationship with scent.
We believe Albrighton – and the surrounding area – is ready for a destination like this. A place to slow down, discover, and choose with intention.
Alongside the store launch, we will also be introducing our home staging and interiors design service, helping clients create spaces that feel polished, personal, and effortless – an offering shaped by the very expectations we see customers bringing to the table today.
Interior moods and movements for 2026
Rather than fleeting trends, 2026 is shaping up to be about direction.
We are seeing a shift towards:
- Soft, grounding palettes – warm neutrals, chalky whites, muted stone and clay tones that bring calm and longevity
- Tactile materials – brushed metals, natural woods, linen, boucle, and finishes that reward touch as much as sight
- Statement restraint – fewer pieces, chosen well, with sculptural form and presence rather than excess
- Layered lighting – ambient, atmospheric lighting that adapts from day to evening and enhances mood
- Homes that feel lived in, not styled – spaces designed for real life, entertaining, and comfort, without sacrificing elegance
These shifts align perfectly with a more considered approach to buying – investing in pieces that endure, both stylistically and emotionally.
Feeling thankful...
As we step into 2026, I feel a deep sense of gratitude – for our team, for our partners, and for the customers who continue to support us, especially at a time when choices are made with care.
Shropshire Design has had a remarkable year of evolution and renewal, but always with one eye firmly on what matters most – quality, integrity, and creating homes that feel truly special.
We look forward to welcoming you into our new space, sharing what comes next, and continuing the journey together.
Peter Snowdon
Co-Founder, Shropshire Design