Salon owner and hairstylist Gianfranco Scavo has been a staple in Toronto’s Yonge and St. Clair neighbourhood for more than 40 years. Last fall, he was excited to launch his newly renovated and renamed space: Salon Scavo.
“We wanted to create a contemporary yet timeless design,” says Scavo. “I like a very tight and clean look, so that’s where I drew my inspiration from.”
Going The Distance
It’s been less than a year since the relaunch of the salon, which was a finalist for Salon Interior Design at the 2020 Contessa Awards. But Scavo could have never predicted that he would have to make additional design changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.To help keep his staff and clients as safe as possible, Scavo decided to install plexiglass throughout the space. “While our salon is already quite big and we’re able to space everyone out quite nicely, we wanted to ensure everyone was fully protected,” he says. “Our biggest investment was creating little glass barriers between the shampoo stations and at the reception area.”
Cool It Down
Scavo’s original salon featured a lot of cherry wood and warmer accents, but with the redesign, he wanted to embrace a more modern and sharp-cut aesthetic. He incorporated cooler tones and materials like marble, green-tinted glass and steel, but made sure to focus on keeping the space bright and airy by incorporating lots of natural and artificial light.
Another way he brought his contemporary vision to life was through the use of unique statement walls throughout the salon. For example, the washing area features a geometric black wall made up of diamond-shaped pieces. The reception area is set apart with a glass waterfall feature directly behind it, while his drying station features a more “organic” wall with panels of bleached wood to add warmth back into the space. “It really tied in well and softened up that whole area, because we didn’t want the space to become too cold or unwelcoming,” he says. “You have to create a serene environment for your workers and clients.”
Scavo’s favourite part of the salon? The double-sided “fashion wall” with a 75-inch flat screen that plays a loop of different fashion shows and presentations from around the world.
Fully Loaded
Scavo customized his styling stations to include LED lighting and built-in storage, so the stylists’ daily routines are as efficient as possible. “All the wiring and tools are kept inside the floating stations,” he says. “It was important for me to have everything clean and off the floor, for appearance and to make it easier on my team.”
Scavo also made the decision to invest in high-quality chairs. The ones at the cutting stations are all purposely luxurious and grand, and are made with great back support, while the chairs at the sinks are fully adjustable to the client’s height. “They cost a fortune, but are definitely worth the investment,” he says. “You don’t see chairs like that too often.”
Comments are closed.