Colour Lounge,

Carr Lane, Hull

Client: S Wilks
Contractors: Hi Spec Interiors
Completion: April 2003

The design involved an incredible transformation of two neglected shop units in a large council building with an impressive series of shop frontages.

A new mezzanine floor was inserted to create a specific colouring area for the hair salon, whilst the previously dingy, and somewhat restricted basement was utilized as an area for more private beauty treatments such as massage, aromatherapy, and st tropez tanning.

...colour was used sparingly but dramatically...

The main ground level salon floor was divided into a front of house, open area, whilst a slice was taken off the back for private areas such as backwash, toilets, and staff areas. The presence of the salon to street was increased by the creation of a stunning combined reception and coffee bar area. Plasma screens and café bar style furniture was used to further blur the boundaries between a salon and a bar although prominently placed product display areas and manicure stations bring a timely reminder.

Although the scheme was predominantly minimal, colour was used sparingly but dramatically as hints of coloured lighting brought a further sense of atmosphere whilst architectural elements such as the suspended glass canopy in the ceiling brought a sense of drama.

The salon was opened by Ricardo from Channel 4's "The Salon" reality TV show.

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