Did you know that we don’t just work on homes? We love mixing in some commercial projects too! This project was especially fun for me because it was for my friend and hair stylist, Mike Waldstein. Mike and his business partner, Leslie, decided to open up their own hair salon and chose a cute little space within the Sola Salon in West St. Paul, MN. Our top priorities were 1. Make their new space to be welcoming for their clients 2. Make a small space highly functional and organized 3. Showcase the stylish people that Mike & Leslie are, and reflect their fun and vibrant personalities!
before photos
The only pieces that were in the salon when Mike & Leslie moved in were the laminate cabinets. All of the walls were just plain and the entire room felt sterile and lacked personality. There was a dark and dim feel in the room and there was an odd light fixture that wasn’t helping to bring much light into the room.
DESIGN PRESENTATION
We presented 3 different design themes to Mike & Leslie. The Modern Manhattan, The Elegant Modern Boho, and The Vintage Modern. The feature of the room, regardless of which theme they chose, was to add a stunning wallpaper to the main wall to add flair and style to the room. A beautiful light fixture would add more light to the room and create an elevated look as well. Creative storage would be brought in to add areas to display product and add storage in a functional but stylish way.
WAITING AREA
If a client is accompanied by a parent, spouse or friend, we needed a place for them to sit and wait. While most of the salon was designed in black, white and gray, we thought it would be fun to add a pop of color – and glam! The emerald green velvet chair brings in a little luxury, and touches of gold elevate the space. Wall-mounted plant holders have real live plants in them. I always prefer real plants whenever possible! The area rug adds a touch of softness and brings in an artistic look with a black, white, gray and silver abstract pattern. Hand-shaped wall hooks hold coats or purses and add a touch of whimsey. I saw this cute saying online somewhere, and I knew we had to use it in the salon. So, I made a framed sign that says “I hope you’re doing something fun today, because you look fabulous!”
THE FINISHED PRODUCT!
Mike & Leslie primarily chose the Modern Manhattan design theme. We swapped out a few favorite items from the other presentation slides and combined the best of all 3 options. I think the favorite part of this transformation is the wallpaper. It really is a show-stopper! You can see it from down the hallway before you even enter their salon. It’s amazing how it makes you feel like you’re getting your hair cut at a high-end salon in New York! The chandelier is gorgeous and brings beautiful light into the room. We added gold framed mirrors, black shelves and hooks to hold client’s personal items. A beverage fridge and coffee maker offer extra pampering for guests. Pops of green with artwork and natural greenery bring a little color into this otherwise neutral room.
Washing station
Coloful artwork was added to give clients something interesting to view while getting their hair washed. A wall-mounted bookshelf holds a lot of product and combines style & function.
We hope you enjoyed our tour of Mike & Leslie’s salon! If you are interested in being one of their highly satisfied clients, please contact the Sola Salon in West St. Paul and ask for Mike Waldstein or Leslie. I originally started going to Mike over 15 years ago and I personally think he’s the best!!
XO,
Amy & the Interior Impressions Team
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