Hj interiors: aesthetics hair and beauty in henley-in-arden

‘Time well spent’ is the mission statement of Aesthetics Henley-in-Arden. Owners Sarah and Adrian Bowron believe that a visit to their salon should instil visitors with the feeling that their time has been put to good use. “At Aesthetics you can read, work or just soak up the atmosphere,” explains Sarah. “You can also catch up with friends or spend time with your children or pets – we always have complimentary dog biscuits on offer.” Fact File Name: Aesthetics Hair and Beauty Address: 193 High Street, Henley-in-Arden Owner: Sarah and Adrian Bowron How long in the premises: 6 months Design: Based on the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi Sarah and Adrian (who have 30 years of hairdressing experience between them) wanted to create a space that followed the ethos of Wabi-Sabi – a Japanese aesthetic concept that embraces imperfection, incompletion and impermanence. The concept is about freeing yourself from a picture-perfect life and encourages followers to enjoy the world around them as it really is – perfectly imperfect.“As a Pinterest fan, I knew exactly how to bring my vision of a Wabi-Sabi salon to life,” explains Sarah. “My inspiration boards were full of concrete, antique brass sheeting, reclaimed wood, open fireplaces and even a garden swing.” Incorporating all of these elements, the salon interior is split into separate zones that flow beautifully together. All the work stations are equipped with USB ports and guests are encouraged to plug in to work, recharge or listen to music as they wish. Two open fires with leather chairs and blankets add to the feeling of homeliness, as do the selection of board games and books. The salon features an inspirational table complete with iPads where guests can interact with products and scroll through Pinterest boards for some hair inspiration. The team refer to the backwash area as The Snug. Here the dramatic grey walls, in Farrow and Ball’s Railings shade, make guests feel like they are in a warm cocoon. In contrast, the main studio features an abundance of natural light thanks to the six skylights and Crittall-style doors that fold back to reveal a charming courtyard garden. It’s this south-facing garden that could be described as the pièce de résistance of the salon. The spot is a tranquil oasis for clients to relax on the garden swing, sample the extensive drinks menu or order lunch to eat alfresco. “We’ve planted a rambling, romantic mix of English florals, such as roses, lavender and lilac wisteria,” explains Sarah. The courtyard has even been registered as a venue for the local Henley Music Festival. Every area of Aesthetics is designed with the client’s journey in mind. “We know that time is a precious commodity,” concludes Sarah. “If you spend two hours at a salon you deserve more than beautiful hair.” You certainly get a feeling of calm peacefulness, as well as gorgeous hair at Aesthetics Hair and Beauty.