Henderson and Co, Cardiff: interiors inspiration

Henderson and Co in Cardiff is a prime example of how small can be mighty, packing a real design punch with just two chairs - and two members of staff. Owner Kellie Henderson made the decision to go it alone after her previous salon closed down suddenly - "although my clientele had been telling me to do it for years", she laughs.

Using her own savings - and a little help from her mum - Kellie took over an empty coffee shop, transforming it into the boutique, feminine salon she'd dreamt of for so long. "The size of the shop attracted me initially," she says. "I wanted to start small, but with space to grow. I also love the old-fashioned shop frontage, which allows for plenty of light. A bonus for my clients and for me is that you can park right outside - so you don't have to worry about the weather as you can jump straight in your car with your new do!"

Taking inspiration from old-school barber shops and vintage, shabby-chic style salons, Kellie designed and kitted out the salon herself. Woodwork is painted grey, with off-white walls and plenty of quirky mirrors and frames adding further interest. An antique bird cage takes pride of place, while Kellie's favourite piece is a vintage vanity case. "It was given to me by a client I've been doing for years," she explains. "She had it for ages in a drawer she was given it by her step grandmother so it was really sweet that she gave it to me." Is this compact salon set to stay this way or are their bigger plans afoot? "We are hoping to expand next summer," says Kellie. "Which hopefully means we'll have a beauty room and a few more chairs and another backwash. We don't want too many chairs, though, as our clients love how personal and calm it is - and so do we. "We want a place where they can still come and relax and have a good natter if they want to. People want to avoid that conveyor belt feeling and to feel special, and that's what we aim to do for every person who walks through our door."

Henderson and Co, Cardiff: In Pictures

In Brief Name: Henderson and Co

Address: Monthermer Road, Cardiff, CF24 4QY

Owner: Kellie Henderson

Number of chairs: Two

Number of staff: Two

Budget: £7,000

Stockists: Living It Up, eBay, Spa Cabinets, HomeSense, Farrow and Ball, B&Q

Favourite thing? The desk

Best buy? The chandelier

Anything you regret? The cream chairs. Even though I love them, it's a nightmare with hair colour and I might get them recovered.

Top Tips

1. If you go with your own style so the salon represents you and your tastes, you will attract clients with the same style. I was surprised how many clients came in just because they loved what I'd done with the place.

2. Do lots of moodboards - Pinterest is great for that. It means when you get anyone coming in to do anything for you, they have a physical presentation of your vision, rather than you having to explain yourself repeatedly.

3. Always try to get a bargain and budge people on prices; there's no shame in haggling, it saves you money.

4. Keep your friends sweet! I had lots of help at the weekends from my mates. I think painting would have taken a lot longer if it wasn't for them. It also helps there's a pub around the corner!

5. If you're starting small like me, you have to employ staff that you really get along with and who you can bounce ideas of. In such a small environment, it's dead obvious if you don't - no matter how professional you are. You also need to look forward to going to work every day; it's the whole purpose of going out on your own. Sometimes I don't like getting up in the morning, but I absolutely love being in my cool little salon once I'm here.