H2R Design, the award-winning design studio creating renowned commercial and hospitality spaces, was tasked to design Rose Poudre, a refined salon concept for women situated in Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. With the original project evolving from a hair styling bar into a full-service salon, the design was developed to redefine conventional female accents to feature industrial styles and robust materiality while maintaining a cozy ‘feel at home’ mood.

The brief was to create an escape for women within the context of the hustle and bustle of a mall into a luxurious oasis for pampering and self-care. Rose Poudre’s mission to provide services encouraging positivity and confidence through beauty enrichments was complimented with the interior space design, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Elegance, warmth and simplicity were the key words that guided the designers, creating a neutral tone, that is down to earth and promotes moments of relaxation without overdoing with conventional feminine connotations.

The design was strategically devised, and materials were purposefully selected to create an exclusive approach to salon interiors. The salon is laced with bold tones, and strong metal accents, yet the space is light and inviting. Appreciation for raw beauty is at the root of the design, and it is reimagined with the use of textured concrete on the walls and floor.

Rose Poudre exudes grace and indulgence with subtle elements that exert a feminine take on a modern industrial style. Metal work across the space creates an industrial vibe but is toned down with the use of rose gold, grey concrete, and light touches of pink concrete. The salon is a very modern space with hints of vibrant elements such a Salome marble, dark Zebrano wood, and acrylic light panels. The use of clean lines and carefully selected details in both joinery and overall design foundations pull the space together into one cohesive unit with a lot of character. This can be seen in detail at the reception area with the welcome desk at the front and the decorative marble centerpiece table on the right side of the salon.

The styles and colors of the furniture were developed with comfort at the highest of priorities without compromising on aesthetic grace. Using deep royal blue fabrics and plush leathers on both the loose and fitted furniture, counter the warm tones used in the rest of the salon. They are intentionally used to disrupt conventional salon color palettes and to keep a trendy and visually pleasing ambiance that makes customers want to stay longer, lounge comfortably and chat.

The layout takes into consideration elements of privacy within the ladies-only salon. The use of sheer curtains separates areas that require additional privacy – allowing each customer to feel at ease as they transition from one area to the next.

The lighting is simple yet sophisticated and meant to be warmer and more inviting than typical bright salon lighting. The lighting is tailored to each area including brighter sections in retail shelving area showcasing products and the hair styling area where focus is required for seeing the true colors being applied to hair. The hair wash basin area and the section for manicures and pedicures are dimmer and warmer creating a more relaxing environment.

Focal materials were utilized consistently throughout the space with the rose gold and copper panels, grainy off-white marble, warm wood detailing, and Salome marble in joinery items. Other areas portray visual contrasts including the pink concrete floor in the nail area while the walls of the hair wash section are adorned with wallpaper. The curved all-acrylic panels visually break up the concrete and white walls, softening up the space and giving it a feminine touch with the use of a light pink to warm the white gradient.

Forgoing the aesthetic typically associated with salons and putting the needs and wants of the client first, H2R Design has created a clean, modern, and refined salon experience that encourages women to feel positive in the space while endorsing self-love and worthiness. With the quote ‘be your own kind of beautiful’ in the reception wall, H2R Design has developed an inimitable identity for Rose Poudre with attention to delicate detailing, letting the interiors compliment the services, products and experience.