French provincial style at la durbin boutique salon
Published
14th Jul 2013
by rachael
Leading London hairdresser, Latifa Durbin, has created the ultimate chocolate box of a hair and beauty salon in leafy Fulham. A delicious confection of pastel shades, pretty furniture, luxurious fixtures and fittings, no detail has been overlooked; Latifa’s even designed her own signature crockery. With its ultra-feminine ambience and individually tailored service, the boutique ethos is unmistakable and is successfully wooing a discerning clientele. "Every aspect of the salon has been designed by myself and my husband. We share the same taste so the decision process was relatively smooth and painless. We took inspiration from a variety of sources, from magazines to Portobello market. It involved a lot of early mornings and late nights, but that seemed a small sacrifice. "The premises were formerly a barber’s shop with bright orange and green walls, but this violent colour scheme couldn’t disguise the high ceilings and elegant proportions of the building. It also has good footfall being located next to a Tesco Metro."[gallery link="post" ids="20397,20399,20398"]
What was your inspiration for the interior design scheme? We wanted to create the antithesis of the clinical, corporate look. The aim is to give women with busy lives the ultimate me-time experience. I’d describe the décor as a mix between sophisticated French provincial and pretty country chic. The walls are picked out in soft cream and peach shades creating a warm and inviting ambience. The styling stations are equipped with striking oversized French style mirrors, dressing tables and elegant soft leather chairs. These are flanked by beautiful display cabinets showcasing an array of hair and beauty products from brands including Dermalogica and Kerastase.
Did the building work run smoothly? We used the same two independent contractors we used for our own flat, who were originally recommended to me by one of my clients five years ago. I consider both Andrew and Alex to be true friends and I can’t say enough good things about them. They’re reasonably priced and do excellent work. After signing the lease the transformation took around four and a half months. We had to completely gut the premises and remove the existing floor, rewire, install plumbing, heating, CCTV and more. We also built two beauty rooms from scratch.
What are the most interesting features in the salon? I think the four styling areas are fantastic. They’re spacious and exude vintage-style glamour. I also love the massage capabilities of the backwash units. By using the remote control clients can play with the back massage function while getting their hair washed. This adds a fun element to the process and is a great talking point.
How easy has it been to combine cutting-edge technology with classic charm? Everything has blended together beautifully. We have two Ayala technology backwash units in the main salon floor, featuring advanced injection molding technology that’s 100% rust-proof. As the number of parts on the technology base is limited to a minimum, it’s very reliable. The backwash is designed extremely ergonomically. The rear section allows the hairdresser to sit or stand during shampooing and the large basin makes the process safe, comfortable and easy.[gallery ids="20400,20401,20402"]
TOP TIPS
- Find a great builder and painter you can communicate with, as this makes the entire process much easier.
- Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, before you set things in motion.
- Make sure you fully understand the process and the sequence that the renovation needs to follow.
- Have the right attitude – don’t get discouraged over minor hiccups and try to look at the big picture.
- Budget accurately and secure financing before you begin the renovation, and keep in mind that it will almost always be more expensive than you expected.
