This week You! takes a look at a smartly-done interior of a salon recently opened in Karachi...
interior
This week You! takes a look at a smartly-done interior of a salon recently opened in Karachi...
When customers show up at a hair salon, they’re hoping for more than just a good haircut. They also want an hour of relaxation. Good hair salon owners know this, and that’s why they put thought and care into their interior design. They know that customers’ experiences begin the moment they walk through the door, before they even speak to the receptionist. They’ll immediately begin soaking up the atmosphere (for better or for worse), so it is important that the atmosphere is welcoming, relaxing, and friendly. Moreover, hair salon interior design isn’t just for the customers, though; it’s also for the staff. If one wants to attract the best possible staff, creating a working environment that is clean, comfortable, work-friendly and beautiful should be a priority.
All that we mentioned above is the part of TONI&GUY Salon recently opened in Karachi. Situated on main Khayaban-e-Bukhari in an impressive building, the salon is a haven sought after by regulars and dropin clients. The salon opened its doors to customers in May, 2018, making it a recent addition in the beauty industry. The place is modern, contemporary and has a very welcoming feel... offering warmth and a neat environment to the clients. It is a unisex salon delivering all services in hair, skin, nail and body.
As you step inside the lift, it gently glides upwards taking you to the first floor of the chic and stylish salon. You are welcomed by courteous staff and something to drink as you are ushered through the main glass doors. It’s an intimate and luxurious salon that makes you feel special the minute you enter the premises. Designed according to the international guidelines shared by TONI&GUY, the salon is as pristine as it can be. The contemporary interior has a monochromatic theme which runs throughout the salon outlets. It has been designed by Saeeda Mandviwalla, Creative Artistic Director & CEO TONI&GUY Hairdressing Karachi, Pakistan, and her able team keeping the standard guidelines in mind.
Talking about the inspiration behind the design Saeeda states, “The inspiration for the salon interior came from the classic black and white ‘less is more theme’ around the globe. However, this is slightly unique as we have a complete Gentlemen’s Grooming area which we call ‘Label Men’. We have a centre table with acrylic stools in monochromatic hues for our clients to chill and relax while waiting and browsing through the iPads and several information brochures that are placed on the counter,” apprises Saeeda.
It took Saeeda and her team six months to put it together and decorate the place, “The electrical and water safety work in the outlet took a lot of time as we had to do all the concealed plumbing and electrical works for maintaining aesthetics of the place as well as the safety standards.”
Saeeda did not hire the services of an interior decorator, “However we did have an engineer to look at the electrical and plumbing works for the outlet. The interiors are from the U.K with specifics for the brand for example chairs, mirrors and stations as well as equipment.” The stylish salon has hair cutting, wash and colour stations, pedicure and manicure on the main floor while waxing rooms and other service areas are tucked away behind a partition offering privacy to the ladies. The focal point of TONI&GUY Bukhari is the centre of the salon, where the curved ceiling - which is dark grey - goes all the way from one end to the other and stands out as you enter - also, Saeeda’s favourite feature of the salon. “I also love the round black and white counter table in the centre where the iPads and reading material are kept,” she adds.
There’s nothing Saeeda would like to include or change about the salon. “I would not change anything. I like the way it has turned out with a very open feel to it with ample natural light streaming through the windows.”
Saeeda’s favourite corner is her little room, “It is a glass cubicle and I can see the whole salon through the glass walls. However, my favourite hangout is the workstation and on the floor where I see clients and I cut, colour or style. Being in the midst of all the action invigorates me - the buzz and excitement of the salon and the constant flow of clients keep me happy,” preens Saeeda.
Besides the hair and beauty instruments some other accessories that the salon sports are paintings and props. “I have some paintings in the salon and these were a series of paintings for my art corner at the flagship salon in Clifton. Accessories and props are minimally used and these too are mostly metallic and silver. “These are from my personal collections that I have collected from other countries on my various trips,” she concludes.
