Case Study: The challenge was how to create a calming, natural, sustainable studio space with low natural light, noise pollution to the busy salon above, on a start-up budget.

Sessions Hairdressing is a Sustainable Salon in the premier village-style Sydney suburb of McMahons Point.

Nicole Inskip, a talented hairdresser and seasoned salon business owner, has a strong sustainability ethos in both her business and personal life. She follows an ayurvedic diet, staying healthy by practicisng yoga and meditation.

Keen to help clients enhance their inner beauty & overall well-being, Nicole wanted to convert the salon’s basement area into a Mindful Space to offer Yoga, Meditation and Wellness workshop sessions.

Nicole engaged Rachel from Good and Eco Interiors to help with the beautification of the basement into a haven of wellness for launch.

“Rachel has designed a space that feels so inviting & calming that when it was finished I wanted to move in”, Nicole says.

“The paint colour selection was a triumph and transformed the space. Rachel listened to the brief and came up with really practical solutions to balance the 3 key focuses for me – budget, sustainability & wellness.”

Taking inspiration from nature & biophilic design, the Mindful Space’s sustainable and wellbeing features include:

• Mood lifting plants in 100% recycled plastic wall plant holders are used in the inviting and zen-like waiting area to prepare clients to de-stress.
• “Coriander” low-toxic Resene paint covered on two feature walls instantly create a sense of calm and now compliments the existing three-tone green commercial hard flooring.
• Feature wall of lead-free mirror tiles creates a sense of spaciousness in the studio and bounces as much of the natural light back in.
• Preserved plants requiring no water have been specified in the studio space. Due to the low levels of natural light, alive plants would not survive.
• A sliding barn door now dampens noise and creates a more intimate practice space. This was painted in left-over white paint from the salon’s refurbishment, to minimise waste and save money.
• Portable outdoor bench seating doubles as storage space in the waiting area, and can be repurposed in the future.
• A blackboard paint circle in the waiting area adds visual interest, ties in with the salon’s branding and doubles as a re-usable message board for inspirational quotes as well as upcoming sessions & events.

Nicole concludes, “I couldn’t be happier with the Mindful Space interior. There is now balance where there wasn’t before and it feels so warm and inviting. The space has been transformed from under-utilised to being flexible in its use, as we’ve pivoted to running more beauty & wellness sessions.”