Designwire Daily: from the editors of Interior Design magazine

Abet Laminati Colors A Children’s Salon

by Rosemarie Murphy | Friday, August 17, 2012 | 6 Comments

Photo by Mikiko Kikuyama.

Beehives & Buzzcuts is a brand new 3,000-square-foot children’s hair salon and retail store in New York. Vibrant and easy to clean, Abet Laminati’s solid colored laminates help solve the puzzle as the primary surfacing material used in the space’s design – dedicated to giving children a fun, interactive experience, without the worry of damaging anything.

“The design concept was to translate ‘nature’ in a way that a child could visually engage creating a feeling of whimsy and fantasy almost as if inside of a dream or story book,” states architect Andrea Mason. “The color palette was of particular importance because it needed to be bright and cheerful, imaginative and unique. For the furniture pieces we also needed to address durability. Abet Laminati’s laminates were chosen for the spectacular colors they offer as well as for their beautiful and durable surface quality.”

Abet’s solid colored laminates were used throughout the space on custom designed furniture including the reception desk, display boxes, reception seating area, hair cutting stations, shampoo sink, manicure tables, and seating. The use of color provided a visual separation between sections of the salon: warm gray designates the manicure and pedicure area while bright greens help to animate the hair cutting stations as well as the play area in the reception, retail area. A full size, gray colored tree by artist Danny Balgley sprouts up in the middle of this multihued world.

Photo by Mikiko Kikuyama.

Owner Karolyn Massey, a former corporate executive, envisioned the atmosphere for her store as outdoorsy with a whimsical feel that’s not cluttered and tacky. “So many kid’s salons are cluttered and chaotic so we were working against that,” states Mason in response to Karolyn’s vision. “We also agreed that given how sophisticated kids are these days it would be smart to steer away from the primary colors in our design. We wanted youthful, fresh and energetic colors that would be pleasing to kids as well as their parents.”

The project came alive and the space fulfilled everyone’s expectations. SMS Design Construction used paint and Abet’s laminates to fabricate the fantasy fun-land.  The laminates extend into the bathrooms and kitchen area with splashes of the same colors carried throughout. Abet’s color driven laminates allow Beehives & Buzzcuts’ staff to cut hair and polish away while children play – all without worry thanks to the durable surfaces.