Salon interiors: before and after makeovers
Sometimes it's hard to appreciate the work and vision that goes into designing a stunning salon.
These before and after salon shots demonstrate how much hard graft is needed to get the wow factor on the high street.
Co-founder of Rush London Stelios Andrew, shares the lowdown on the new Baker Street salon in the heart of central London
What was the building used for before you took it over?
It actually used to be retail giants Marks & Spencer's head office.
How long did it take you to do the work?
Eight weeks in total, from start to finish.
How much did the new salon cost?
Roughly £400,000
Did you have any major dramas?
No, we have a very professional team who work on our salons, so they know well in advance what is expected of them and in what time scale. This site was empty so we also had easy, instant access.
What's your advice to anyone thinking of taking on a major project like this?
Before you even begin to start work, make sure you surround yourself with people you trust, knowing they can deliver your vision at the right price.
Planning is key to a successful renovation so don't leave anything to chance.
James Davis is the founder of Clay salon & spa, a new salon in Oxshott, Surrey due to open late 2009
What was the building used for before you took it over?
One was an interior design shop and the other was a beauticians.
How long did it take you to do the work?
It will have taken approximately four months. Mind you, I did have a solid three-man team there daily, so that made a big difference on the productivity.
How much did the new salon cost?
To date it has been £100,000 for both buildings, there is still another for weeks and there are always surprises.
Did you have any major dramas?
We needed a new water mains to be put in as the pressure levels were not strong enough, so for this we needed to get consent from the council and then pre warn the local businesses that the high street had to be dug up. It was a case of flowers and apologies all round.
What's your advice to anyone thinking of taking on a major project like this?
Always work out your costs and double it. This may sound extreme but this was a tip given to me by a friend in the building game, and it's proved really sound advice. Also, remember the internet is a huge tool for purchasing everything. I purchased most of my stuff online and saved a substantial amount.
However, try to remember the time is money moto and never waste too much time on this. Stop searching for the perfect item, as it probably does not exist. As soon as I am happy with something I go with it. Focus your time and energy mastering the experience you are trying to create for a client and forget about the issues that are not worth worrying about.
Andrew Slater from Andrew Slater Hairdressing in Malvern, Worcestershire, has recently transformed the salon he has owned for 20 years into a business that is triple the size
What was the building used for before you took it over?
When I acquired the business 20 years ago, the building was divided into three parts. One third of the premises was a salon, next door was an off-licence and upstairs was accounting offices. Then in 95 I moved next door into the former off-licence, then in 2003 I bought the entire building. Finally in April 2009 I converted the upstairs into a beauty salon, and the downsatirs is all hairdressing.
How long did it take you to do the work?
It was very quick and took just three and a half weeks. This was greatly helped by the fact that I had a salon design company work in the salon. They were truly excellent and made it possible to stay open throughout.
How much did the new salon cost?
The build cost £65,000 the rest was £15,000 for equipment and furniture.
Did you have any major dramas?
I was certainly expecting them, but no, we didn't. We had a brand new water system installed and changed from electric to gas, but it was no problem. The design team were so efficient. A professional salon design company can advise you on everything from lighting to flooring and their experience is invaluable.
What's your advice to anyone thinking of taking on a major project like this?
We didn't close down, but in hindsight we should have closed as it would have been less stressful. Really I should have taken all the staff away on a training course for a few days.
Do your homework. I planned this salon for more than a year. Wherever I travelled I looked for inspiration from stores, hotels, everywhere. * Get the right designer. Ask around and use a reputable company.
Use the opportunity to rebrand if you need to - we rebranded everything and it was worth doing.
You need a clear vision of how your salon will look. But ultimately, you can have the best vision in the world, but without a great team it will not happen.
More advice for updating your salon interior
