It’s not every day that a client asks you to design a space inspired by Fleetwood Mac. Then again, not every client is Kristine Singer, owner, proprietor and stylist of Solo Salon.
We’d had the pleasure of working with Kristine on Solo’s Washington Street location, stylishly situated on the first floor of Publishing House Bed & Breakfast (another fabulous SBD client) in Chicago’s West Loop. For Solo Washington’s space, we contrasted the building’s serious industrial bones (exposed brick, metal beams) with playful design flourishes - wallpaper featuring Gibson Girls, Andy Warhol selfies and a stylized version of Solo’s logo; vintage wingchairs reupholstered in blush and lilac velvet; product artfully displayed on custom open shelving; and lots of cheerful plants. The result was form-meets-function at its best – a thoughtfully-designed space that was as inviting to clients as it was practical for stylists.
For Elizabeth Street, Kristine wanted more than a subtle vibe – she wanted #mood. Specifically, she wanted Stevie Nicks’ mood…and we were totally here for it. We set out to design a space that incorporated the kind of witchy, boho details that we imagine the Fleetwood Mac songstress would have in her own home: moody floral wallpaper from Ashley Woodson Bailey; vintage armchairs reupholstered in Knoll fabric by Urban Craft; tile in rich, earthy hues from Tile Bar, Clé Tile, and Tierra Y Fuego via Mid America Tile; and a black bamboo hanging chair from Wayfair that is irresistibly Instagrammable.
We also found inspiration in some of Stevie’s most beloved songs. Her Gold Dust Woman inspired the oversized mirror with the antique gold-tone frame and the brass light fixtures from Cedar & Moss and Schoolhouse Electric. Floor-to-ceiling lace curtains from G&W Window provide a “Leather and Lace” contrast to the black leather bar stools that line Live Edge Design’s long wooden table. An inviting green velvet sofa from Article and layered vintage Oriental rugs (a Siren Betty signature) add a bit of “Gypsy” to the lobby.
But, just like Stevie, Solo Salon Elizabeth Street is as strong as it is beautiful. Vero Design + Build crafted the salon’s sturdy front desk and open shelving, which beautifully displays hair product, nail polish and styling tools. Countertops from MSI and Concrete Collaborative provide a solid, stain-resistant surface for colorists to whip up their alchemy. Walls covered in Benjamin Moore paint and Merola Tile resist wear and tear (and wet hair), ensuring that the salon always looks as fresh as its clientele’s tresses. Live plants from Kennicott Brothers brighten the mood while helping to clean the air.
So what would we say to Stevie if she happened to walk into Solo Salon Elizabeth Street? We’d probably take a cue from the custom neon sign hanging on the salon’s green tile wall and say, “Have A Great Hair Day!”
