Maxwells professional hair & beauty therapy: interiors inspiration

Maxwells Professional Hair & Beauty Therapy was already well established as a successful salon in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, when owners Ian and Dolores Hendry decided it was in need of major refurbishment. The salon was situated in a relatively modern unit – the business relocated there from outside the town centre in 1995 – and had been expanded several times over the years. However, Dolores and Ian wanted to make the salon even better for both clients and the team. "We wanted to create an improved working environment with better lighting and a feeling of space," Dolores says. "We wanted a salon that was more modern yet warm and cosy – somewhere that felt like a hotel reception or restaurant rather than a typical salon." The pair took no half measures, completely ripping out the old interior – including all existing furniture and fittings, flooring and even the ceiling – enabling them to start from scratch. Says Dolores: "We wanted a unique, modern feel that would appeal to all ages." One of the design criteria was to create a range of textures using materials including natural stone, oak, glass, chrome and brick. "The colour scheme is natural and muted, although every area looks different," explains Dolores. The reception area at the front of the salon makes a bold statement; dominated by a curved brick wall featuring the salon logo, a curved reception desk and a large backlit retail display. The area includes seating for six people next to a relaxing water feature, adding to the hotel ­reception feel. [hji-gallery-legacy] The backwash area, which features four units sourced from Aston & Fincher, is separate from the rest of the salon. The area offers clients a private haven, with warm lighting and a ceiling-mounted media screen showing footage and pictures of all the activities the salon team has taken part in, including training courses, ­fundraising and in-house competitions. There is also a dedicated colour waiting area where clients can relax in comfort and privacy while their shades develop. Here media screens promote while-you-wait beauty treatments. The main cutting area features 14 styling stations with floating storage units made from an oak laminate and landscape mirrors which help add to the sense of space. Styling chairs were sourced from The Salon Equipment Centre and covered in an eyecatching snake skin-style material. Lighting is used effectively throughout the salon, adding to the ambience and visual appeal. LED lighting is used to create zoned areas, bathing the colour and cutting zones in ‘daylight’ and helping to create a warm, soothing glow in the backwash area. Special colour-changing feature lighting is utilised to pick out the natural stone walling, textured wall panels and signage. The colour of the lighting is altered to reflect certain occasions or times of year, with the retail area highlighted in red during Valentine’s Day promotions, for example. The only element of the refit the pair would change in retrospect is the light-coloured reception furniture, which they admit will probably need re-upholstering fairly soon! Other than this tiny regret they are happy with the result – a multi-textured, modern salon that offers a welcoming look and feel to an ever-growing client base. In brief Name: Maxwells Professional Hair & Beauty Therapy Address: 5-7 Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire Owners: Ian and Dolores Hendry Size: 2,400sq ft Top tips • Start planning early. • Make a mood board with all your preferred materials, colours and textures. • Research everything – you can save a lot of money with a bit of research. • Keep a tight control on your costs and factor in a contingency for unknown costs, which may amount to 10% of the total.