Boutique chic at headlines elite

The late Michael Charlesworth’s flagship salon venture Headlines Elite in the heart of Sheffield has proved a clever move – not only is there an absence of hairdressing competition in the area, but also the salon occupies a prime location in a city that’s riding high on a regeneration boom.The potential of the first-floor shell with massive windows overlooking the mall was obvious, and Michael embarked on an ambitious two-month refurbishment.In order to function effectively as the group’s flagship salon and the Headlines Elite Training Academy, it was essential to create a flexible space."We wanted a theory and demonstration area that could convert back into a salon format in minutes," said Michael. "We achieved this by utilising the centre of the salon and installing ingenious, bespoke, moveable units linked to flexible electricity points, a retractable screen linked to a DVD, and computer links into a central pod." For the look, Michael was inspired by his experience of boutique hotels worldwide and has created a balance of indulgence, luxury and wow factor tempered by classic design considerations. The salon attracts a diverse clientele including yummy mummies, silver surfers, metropolitans, metrosexuals and students. Strategic viewing spaces are incorporated around the salon for displaying images from recent photographic collections. This haven of luxury and contemporary hairdressing has a tasteful, but distinctive décor. Off-white walls showcase the ambient lighting effects, and combine with imagery for an art gallery feel. Retro-patterned wallpaper contrasts perfectly with cream, painted walls while the porcelain floor combines polished beauty with hard-wearing properties.

Fact File Name: Headlines Elite Sheffield Address: 54-56 Fargate, Sheffield Size: 1,500sq ft Staff: 24 Budget: £140,000 Financing: Self Design: Self and Taylor Hurst Shopfitting Features:Flexible space, removable units to create a teaching environment, zoned lighting to create different ambiences. Budget Box Flooring:£15,000 Styling units: £20,000 Building work: £30,000 Plumbing: £15,000 Electrics: £15,000 Ambient lighting: £5,000 Air conditioning: £10,000 Furniture: £20,000 Miscellaneous:£10,000 How to Achieve the Look Design:Taylor Hurst Shopfitting - 01142 437382 Furniture: Salon Beauty Supplies - 01270 848 612 Top Tips Make all your mistakes on paper, it’s cheaper than real life Keep your focus When you have a plan, stick to it, alterations on site are expensive Get the boring bits right first, i.e. water, wiring, client flow, before thinking about aesthetics Make sure you have a financial contingency fund Find a builder you feel comfortable with – and check their references