Sid sottung academy: interiors inspiration

When Sid Sottung decided to expand his eponymous barbering academy after a successful year, he didn't have to look far; the new larger premises are in a more spacious corner of the same building. The Nottingham-based barber academy upped and moved across the building into a new two storey space, formerly home to a fancy dress shop. In need of a full renovation, barbering expert Sid turned to his fiance Esther to design a new look. "A lick of paint just wouldn’t have sufficed," explained Sid. "The previous tenant used the basement exclusively for storage; structural work and damp proofing was necessary before further work could begin." Inspiration for the new look came from the traditional barbershops of Sid's native USA; cornerstones of the community, where people spent time and built friendships, as well as receiving first-rate service. Nods to the past come through handcrafted stations, a beautifully restored wooden floor and vintage display cabinets. "We wanted to provide our students with an authentic experience,"" explains Sid. ""I would describe the academy as an amalgamation of traditional barbershop and contemporary learning space. The downstairs demonstration area has the familiarity of a classroom, with students able to apply their new skills in a realistic setting."

Sid Sottung Academy: In Pictures

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Sid Sottung Academy: In Brief

Name: Sid Sottung Academy Address: 265 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FT Contact details: 0115 784 0440 Owner: Sid Sottung How long have you been in the premises: 2 months Number of staff: 5 Number of styling stations: 8 Budget: £25,000 Financing: Self-financed Design by: Esther Michailovs – Sid’s fiancé Sources: chairs by Salons Direct