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A New ID for Identity UK - Salon Interiors

Posted by Kate
Dated: July 21, 2008 12:42 PM

The launch of Identity UK was a dream come true for co-owner Tony Hegarty. "I dreamt of a salon that boasted a team of hairdressers trained to deal with all hair types and textures while treating every client as an individual," he says of the funky salon in London's Shoreditch.

Identity UK was launched seven years ago, but moved to larger premises in the area to cope with its growing client list. The aim was to give the new salon a more elegant, refined look. One of the main priorities was to incorporate a dispensary that doubled up as a feature.

"Our old dispensary was very small, so this time we wanted lots of space and somewhere to display colour tubes. We commissioned a Perspex grid that would do all this for us," adds Tony.

The result is the L'Oréal Professionnel Color Lab. It has been designed as a colour mixing bar where clients can watch their personalised colour being created.

Another main feature is the Mizani Consultation Area. "This is a UK first. It's a dedicated space which allows clients to relax on deluxe sofas and have a personal consultation with their stylist," says Tony.

Two elements of the refit that didn't go to plan were the budget and time schedule. Not only did the original budget escalate from £45,000 to £83,000, but the refurbishment, originally scheduled to take four months, took six months.

However, Tony is not too disappointed by these issues. "There are aspects I would do differently. 

"I wouldn't choose the same builders because they over-ran, and I wouldn't use a client as an architect because when work went wrong I couldn't shout as much as I would with a stranger!" he adds.

More pictures of Identity UK >> 

 

ID-main-pic.jpg

Fact File

Name: Identity UK
Address: 232 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London
Owners: Tony Hegarty and Michael Varellas
Size: 1,700sq ft
Styling stations: 10
Budget: £45,000, but actual spend was £83,000
Financing: Bank and self
Features: A Mizani Consultation Lab, L'Oréal Professionnel Color Lab, and two beauty rooms.

Budget Box

Building, plumbing and electrics: £34,868
Bespoke furniture: £6,280
Other furniture: £11,130
Flooring: £10,479
Signage: £1,912
Doors, décor and signage: £12,500
Legal and architecture fees: £14,429
Security shutters: £1,586
Styling chairs: £2,656
Towels, capes and cutting collars:£1,130.

How to Achieve the Look

Furniture: Welonda - 01256 320202
Flooring: Karndean - 01386 820104
Waiting sofas and equipment: M I X -01702 435804
Backwashes: Sally Salon Services - 020 8558 2195
Styling units: LSE - 020 8903 0002

Top Tips

  • If you want to attract a certain clientele, consider the location carefully
  • Appointing a project manager is paramount
  • Get your builders to sign a contract that clearly outlines when the work will be completed
  • Do your sums before you start work, and allow for a contingency budget
  • Moving salons can be very stressful, so try to stay positive.

ID-side-1.jpg

ID-side-2.jpg

 

More pictures of Identity UK >>

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