VASKEN SALON
NAHA 2010 winner, Salon Design of the Year
QA
What is the concept of your salon?
I wanted to create an elite color salon whose aesthethic interior matched my personal philosophy toward haircolor. The minimalist white interior was inspired by a fresh, clean sheet of paper that is punctuated with flashes of Valentino red.
How does the salon interior play a part in that concept?
Since the salon was inspired by a clean, white sheet of paper, the unity of the space is derived from its minimalistic interior, which serves as a blank canvas to the hair artistry that is created within the salon. And the salon was created with haircolor as the primary focus. Because I also felt that great lighting was essential to the success of the salon, I recruiteda prominent lighting and engineering firm to create an optimum environment to showcase our stylist’s work.
What inspired you to create the interior?
Because my elite clientele has extremely disceing tastes, I wanted to create a salon that would be a pioneering force in high design and architecture. To match the level of luxury services that my clients receive at my salon, I also wanted them to be surrounded by beauty at every tu. This is where the latest hair artistry meets the ultimate salon design.
What part do “small details” play in designing and creating the salon interior?
No element was short-changed or overlooked in the design process, so even the small details were attended to with focus and care. We really tried to maximize the space by creating 20 work stations and a very comfortable traffic flow throughout the salon with smooth and cohesive transitions between departments. Another feature of our design that makes the salon more productive, is the ability of stylists to move around and service their clients at any station without any difficulty or time delay thanks to the fully mobile/fully stocked individual styling Cubes. In some cases, it is more time efficient and also convenient not to move clients; they really appreciate that extra element of our customer service.
Would you like to change anything with regard to your salon interior?
Absolutely nothing in design. However, from an engineering standpoint, I would make certain that the water and A/C systems were cohesive to ensure that everything worked both flawlessly and in tandem.
AVEDA SALON
NAHA Finalist, Salon Design of the Year
QA
What is the concept of your salon?
We have four types of customers; the student, the staff, the guest and the salon owner. The concept of the salon is to integrate a state-of-the-art educational facility that serves all four customers.
How does your interior design enhance your overall business?
For the students, the spacious classrooms, real-world salon environment, state-of-the art educational tools and technology enhance the leaing experience. A large auditorium provides space for student shows while also providing a forum for ongoing advanced education for the salon customer. The guest areas are designed to simulate high-end service experiences.
What inspired you to create the interior?
The commitment to minimizing environmental impact was the guiding decision filter in making choices on structural and esthetic choices. The school is built in an existing theater on the grounds of the Riverchase Galleria. A structural choice to minimize eco-impact was to maintain as much of the existing walls as possible.
What part does “small details” play in designing and creating the salon interior?
There is meticulous attention to the functionality of each area of the school:
— spacing of stations was based on an analysis of the interaction of guest, student and teacher at our existing school locations;
— clinic floor space is designed to promote business-building behaviors of the students, including product retail towers and dispensaries located in each of the “zones” of 20 stations.
Would you like to change anything with regard to your salon interior?
There is not one thing we would change — at least, that is our answer for today.
DONATO SALON
NAHA Finalist, Salon Design of the Year
QA
What is the concept of your salon?
Timeless elegance highlighted by textures and bold colours — a mode design that was thought out to the last detail to enhance every client’s experience at Donato Salon + Spa at Shops at Don Mills.
How does the salon interior play a part in that concept?
Functionality is not sacrificed, but rather enhanced by the opulent yet minimal design. The design derives from John Donato’s vision of building a beauty destination for the most disceing clients.
What inspired you to create the interior?
John Donato had two things in mind: Donato Salon + Spa staff and the clients of Shops at Don Mills. John wanted to have an amazing work environment for the staff, yet have every client walk into a beautiful and timeless salon.
What part do “small details” play in designing and creating the salon interior?
When designing a salon, the clients comfort always comes to mind. A detail I included in the design are the heated floors in our six spa treatment rooms. No client likes to put their feet on a cold surface; this was an important factor I had to include.
Would you like to change anything with regard to your salon interior?
No.
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