Blue Tit Forest Hill: 1980s Energy with an Art Deco Twist

HJ got the exclusive from Andi Hinteregger, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Blue Tit London on the newly opened Blue Tit Forest Hill.

Take a look at Blue Tit Crystal Palace here.

Interiors Fact File

Name: Blue Tit Forest Hill
Address: Blue Tit Forest Hill, 16 Dartmouth Road, London, SE23 3XU
Owners: Andi Hinteregger + Matthew Gebbie
Opening date: Thursday 19 July
How many staff: 4

How would you describe the salon's interior?

The Forest Hill salon reflects the essence of Blue Tit – a creative, inspiring space that celebrates individuality – but with its own distinctive character. It channels bold 1980s energy with an Art Deco twist, thanks to a design that uses hard materials in a soft, welcoming way. Each room tells a different part of the story, with colour and texture creating a visual journey from one area to the next. It feels both energising and comforting – stylish but totally inclusive.

Tell us about your team...

We opened with a core team of four incredibly talented stylists, each bringing something unique to the table. At the helm is Kate Shaw, our Salon Manager and Stylist, who has grown through Blue Tit’s own leadership programme after developing her skills at our Streatham salon. She’s joined by Creative Director Tom Warr – a proud Forest Hill local – who splits his time between the salon floor and creative direction across our wider collective and academy. Alongside them is Sarah Maretto, who started with us as an apprentice and is now approaching full qualification, and Lucia Thittichai, a brilliant new stylist from a leading Brighton salon. It’s a dynamic team, full of experience, energy, and fresh perspective – exactly the vibe we wanted for Forest Hill.

Did you have a budget? 

A project of this scale and ambition requires thoughtful planning and a clear creative vision. We’ve learned over the years that design and build costs can easily grow if you're not careful, so we approach every salon with a balance of creative freedom and practical realism. It’s about anticipating where things might stretch, staying agile, and always keeping the focus on delivering a beautiful, functional space that feels true to the Blue Tit brand.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your brand's heritage… why did you expand into the current premises?

Blue Tit launched in 2011, and from the start, we've been drawn to vibrant, up-and-coming neighbourhoods. There's something special about the buzz that comes with a new opening—the genuine excitement from the local community is what we love most.

Our Forest Hill salon is a fantastic new addition, and we’re incredibly proud of how the space has come together. The design is a fresh take on our signature salon vibe—cosy, elegant, and effortlessly cool all at once. We’re so excited to open our doors and welcome the community in.

In what state were the premises before you began refurbishment? What attracted you to the building / shop?

The space itself was a blank canvas – very plain, just the bare bones really – but that’s exactly what we look for. What attracted us more than anything was the area. Forest Hill has been on our radar for a while; it’s a rising, vibrant part of South London with a real sense of community. Once we saw the layout – the way the backwash area and main styling space could flow – we knew we had a great foundation for something beautiful. There was massive design potential, and with our team of trusted collaborators, we could bring a new kind of salon to life.

Were there any problems with the build / renovation?

As with any renovation project, there were a few unexpected surprises along the way – that’s par for the course. But thanks to our incredible design team and build team, we handled them smoothly. It’s always about having the right people around you, and we’ve built solid relationships over the years that help us bring these spaces to life without too much stress.

If you have any other salons, does this one differ from the others?

Every Blue Tit salon is designed to be totally unique while still feeling unmistakably “Blue Tit.” What’s special about Forest Hill is that it’s our first non-franchise opening in a while – a direct extension of our core team’s vision. While all our spaces are individual in design and atmosphere, they share a sense of warmth, creativity, and community. This salon has its own identity but continues our tradition of creating welcoming, style-forward environments for everyone.

Who designed the salon?

The design was a true collaboration between close friends and long-time partners. Sally and Nathan from Studionlm led the creative vision – we’ve worked with them on past projects, and they understand our aesthetic and values deeply. Reese from Opulence brought the vision to life with precision and care. It was a real team effort, right down to the bespoke furniture and finishings.

What is the colour scheme and why did you pick it?

The colour palette was carefully considered to enhance the space’s natural flow and character. The main salon area features a vibrant mustard yellow that feels fresh and energising. The backwash area is drenched in calming green tones, creating a sense of retreat, while the waiting area introduces cooler blue hues to set a relaxed tone. The palette reflects both the functional needs of each space and the emotional response we want to evoke – it’s bold, beautiful and thoughtfully balanced.

Describe the lighting in each area, why it was chosen, and what effect does it have?

Lighting is key to the Blue Tit experience. In Forest Hill, we’ve continued our living-room-meets-studio vibe – bright, directional lighting at the styling stations for precision and clarity, paired with more intimate, subdued lighting in the backwash area to encourage relaxation. We’ve maximised natural light in the main room, which creates a fresh, welcoming ambiance, while the basin room’s darker tones are offset with cleverly placed spotlights that add depth and mood.

What are the walls covered in and why?

Rather than traditional coverings, we played with tone and material throughout the space. The focus is on texture and contrast – you’ll find beautifully tiled styling stations, which are a standout design feature. It’s a modern approach that feels both tactile and elegant.

What is the floor made from - any particular reason?

We opted for tiles across the salon floor, which is used across different surface areas within the space. They offer durability, easy maintenance, and visually tie in with the overall 70s/80s aesthetic. It’s practical and stylish!

Describe the waiting and reception areas, what your aims were for these zones?

For the first time, we moved away from a traditional reception desk setup. Instead, we’ve created a more fluid, personal welcome experience. It breaks down that “counter” barrier and feels more like being greeted into someone’s home. The waiting area doubles as a bar space – a clever solution for a smaller footprint, and it adds a cool social feel without compromising comfort.

Does the salon look different in the separate areas and if so, how and why?

Absolutely – the salon flows from one visual experience to another. Each area has a distinct look and feel, but they’re all connected by subtle design elements. It was important to us that there is cohesion, but also a sense of discovery as you move through the space.

Is the salon meant to appeal to anyone in particular?

Blue Tit salons have always been about inclusivity and individuality. We work with all hair types, all identities, and we celebrate personal expression. Forest Hill is no different – it’s designed for everyone, and we want everyone to feel seen, heard and welcomed.

What do you think are the most interesting features of the salon?

One of the most exciting aspects is the fluid design – how each room transitions into the next through colour, form and light. We’ve also included custom-built elements that speak to the space itself – like the tiled stations, and the bespoke divider in the backwash room, which filters light in a beautifully unexpected way.

Tell us a bit about where you bought the furniture, the designers, artwork etc?

Every piece of furniture was tailor-made to suit the space – nothing off-the-shelf. The prints and artworks were chosen to reflect each room’s palette and mood, drawing on 70s and 80s influences for a playful, nostalgic edge. It’s a thoughtful curation that reflects the salon’s character.

How many styling stations are there? What type of styling chairs go with them?

We have seven styling stations, each paired with Ayala styling chairs in custom brown upholstery. They’re comfortable, sleek and fit beautifully with the overall interior design – form and function in perfect balance.

How many backwashes are there, where are they, and are there any interesting features in the backwash area?

There are four backwashes in a dedicated room, designed as a peaceful, cocoon-like escape. The custom-built slatted wall divider filters light into the space in a really unique way – it creates texture and movement on the walls, which adds to the calming, intimate feel.

Is there anything you wouldn't do or choose again with hindsight?

If anything, we might have wished for a little more room for the reception and waiting area – but that limitation actually inspired us to be more innovative. By removing the traditional front desk, we created a more personal and collaborative entry point.

What was the best thing you did?

Bringing together StudioNLM and Opulence was absolutely the best decision. Their partnership gave us a refined, premium finish that elevates the whole experience. It also set a strong creative direction for where we want to take our salons in the future – it feels like a real step forward.

What would be your top five tips on renovating/refurbishing a salon?

1. Work with an experienced designer – finalise your vision before you even begin

2. Map out your sections and floor plan early – understand how people and energy will move through the space.

3. Spend time in the building beforehand – get a feel for the light, flow and atmosphere.

4. Have a clear, structured budget – know what to prioritise and where to invest.

5.  Understand the condition of the premises – this will dramatically impact your timeline and costs.