Peace and calm at hush - salon interior

Having built up a thriving salon in Edinburgh city centre, Donald Doolan had clear ideas about what he wanted from his second venture - Hush.

"My brother John and I decided to open in Livingston, West Lothian. Demographic research showed the average age in the area to be just 28 - giving us a great pool of potential target clients," he explains.

"The location, inside a major shopping centre, is ideal. It's the hub of the town and people come here to visit the shops, the cinema and all the big local attractions - the passing footfall is fantastic."

Keen to make an impact in the new space - a 2,500sq ft, two-storey site - Donald spent six weeks working with a team to transform the empty shell into a slick, spacious lifestyle salon with a focus on health and wellbeing.

Finished in chic shades of cream and brown, with coffee-coloured Karndean flooring throughout, Donald was adamant that Hush's feel should complement its name.

With that in mind, the salon's design is cool, crisp and clean, with dedicated areas devoted to hair, beauty, nails and colour, affording clients privacy and relaxation.

Hush pictures >>

Fact File Name: Hush Address: Unit 103, Almondvale Shopping Centre, Livingston Owner: Donald Doolan Size: 2,500sq ft Staff: 12 Styling stations: 16 Budget: £160,000 Financing: Bank and self Furniture: Aston & Fincher Features: Blast Bar where clients can style their own hair, juice bar, beauty rooms, elegant design How to Achieve the Look Design: Iguana Interiors - 01527 861111 Top Tips Always listen to advice Let the professionals do their job Get the right people in Speak to industry experts and draw upon their expertise and ideas Make sure you get the salon you want, and not what the designer wants to create Hush pictures >>