Mirrors, storage and accessories specialist Bathroom Origins has been collaborated on a redesign of salon Idol Hair in the East End of London. The supplier's Tate Light mirrors take centre stage in each booth, with the pods being designed by salon owner Marc Luickx and created by bespoke furniture makers Edwards And Bull in response to the pandemic.
The aim of the redesign was to transform the salon into a more relaxed environment so that clients can feel safe again. The inspiration for the revamp came Luickx watched a TV programme on first-class aeroplane travel with sleeping pods during lockdown in May last year.
"I was looking for innovative ways in which to adapt my hair salon to work with the 'new normal'," said Luickx.
"When I watched this show, the travellers said they felt quite safe getting into their pod with everything there – away but not isolated from one another. I started thinking about developing individual units, hair pods, where you walk in, sit down and don't have to move throughout your visit."
Sofia Charalambous, co-director at Bathroom Origins, said: "Many of us rely on our hair salons for a sense of community, self-care and wellbeing. So we were delighted to work with Marc to enable him to realise his dream redesign. I instantly knew our Tate Light illuminated mirrors, which feature super-stylish black frames, would be perfect. With 6000k cool lighting around every frame, this creates ideal illumination for each client and it provides an additional light source in this salon."
