All that glitters - tremayne salon

Tremayne Salon had occupied its current premises for 16 years when owner Alfredo Santo decided it was time for a radical change of image. Inspired by the salon's bulging trophy cabinet, Alfredo and his interior designer set about creating a salon around the theme precious metals, which work both aesthetically and practically by minimising reflection off the hair. "Gold, silver and bronze awards were the initial inspiration," says Alfredo. "Plus, I share an Italian heritage and sensibility with Marie Blackmore, my interior designer from La Maison Interiors, which we explored by incorporating aged glass, stone and stainless steel."The complete overhaul to make the most of the natural light and blend flair with functionality by incorporating focal points including aged glass features, metallic fabric and leather panelling and iconic pieces of Philippe Starck furniture, took just 10 days to complete, but was the result of meticulous planning. "Our aim was to create a more cosmopolitan feel and to use the space better. The result is a larger and brighter salon that functions superbly for staff and clients alike," he adds.

Fact File Name: Tremayne Salon Address: Shop 1, 412 Toorak Road, Toorak, Melbourne, Australia Owner: Alfredo Santo Size: 1,227sq ft Staff: 20 Styling stations:21 Budget: £70,000 Financing: Business and self Design: Marie Blackmore from La Maison Interiors Top Tips Use a designer with a proven track record who can act as project manager Do your pre-planning and research well Set a realistic timeframe and stick to it Work with a budget and respect it to curb your excesses Involve your salon team in the project.