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    • Design

    Digressing from the stereotypical, You Do You in Mumbai paves the path for new-age salons

    JAN 24, 2021 | By Saloni Rege
    View of the plush waiting lounge of You Do You salon in Mumbai; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    The styling stations are placed along a continuous wooden table and a grey concrete background; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Radiating an ornate charm are the modish accessories, baby's breath, mirrors and illuminating pendants; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Breaking away from conventional salons is Mumbai’s You Do You. It is designed by FN Design Studio in collaboration with Mammen Paul from Shiraz Jamali Architects as a testament to unwinding spaces and beings.

    Tucked within a tranquil neighbourhood in Bandra, this 800 sq ft salon has been conceived as a casual inviting space alongside its function-oriented nature. It intersperses working zones with leisure areas, allowing patrons to truly relax.

    “We have a personalised approach to every project. For us, design needs to be the perfect amalgamation of aesthetics and functionality, and minute details add up to create a larger picture,” shares designer Naazish Nanji, cofounder and interior designer of FN Design Studio.

    Textured concrete and tropical olive tiles are fitted in this snug seating area; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The salon’s earthy waiting lounge is supplemented with a cosy seating nook, where visitors may read a book or even relish a freshly brewed (inhouse) cup of coffee. Overall, the design embraces varied aspects of relaxation and curates zones with interrelated functions.

    Tropical olive tiles are illuminated with pendant lamps and track lights; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The core concept of the space reflects a rustic industrial theme paired with a tropical flair. The design intersects the styling stations with hair wash areas with the help of a central, visually binding feature wall.

    View of the styling station and a reading nook that’s reflected in the mirror; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Set against a raw concrete backdrop, the styling stations act as a focal point of the salon. The grey undertones take a backseat so as to highlight the vibrant work of the hair artists.

    This asymmetrical timber table accommodates frame-less mirrors and vases with baby’s breath; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    “The 15 ft-long, raw solid wood table coupled with the frame less mirrors lends a floating visual. This is something we meticulously planned and thoroughly enjoyed executing,” adds Nanji, encapsulating the belief of co-designers Farheen Nanji and Mammen Paul.

    View of the styling stations; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The material palette mainly includes grey concrete finished walls, customised furniture pieces in solid wood and tropical olive tiles. A neutral palette is chosen to age timelessly while being an ideal canvas for the artist. The Nanjis and Paul also created an oasis of calm with the help of air-purifying plants such as Monstera and the Zamioculcas zami folia, which embellish the salon with their tinge of green.

    Detail of the raw concrete wall, olive tiles and baby’s breath; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The designers unanimously agree that completing the project within the “challenging timeline of 21 days to design and execute from start to finish” is an accomplishment they all celebrated.