An Art Deco-style barbershop: how Frankie & Son came to be

Can a barbershop be elegant without losing its masculine character? Frankie & Son in Christchurch, New Zealand, proves that it can, by combining Art Deco style with classic barbershop design. A key role is played here by the palette of emerald and whisky browns, as well as the barbershop’s furnishings, which have been selected to suit a specific aesthetic rather than a generic, neutral décor. For the barbershop owner, this brings a tangible benefit: an interior that customers photograph and share, which in turn boosts brand recognition without the need for an additional marketing budget.

How the Art Deco-style barbershop came to be

Frankie & Son is a family business run by a married couple, Stu Tafua and Tori Wiki, who drew inspiration for their interior design from the era of *The Great Gatsby* and the atmosphere of whisky clubs. By combining geometric, angular forms with striking materials and linear ornamentation, they have created their own distinctive style: beautiful yet masculine – a combination that rarely goes hand in hand. The salon, named after the owners„ children, Frankie and Sonny, departs from typical barber shop design: dried flowers, plants and a colour scheme based on emerald and a shade of blush.

„We really wanted to create a space that was beautiful, yet masculine. I think we managed to achieve this by using emeralds and whisky-inspired browns. Whisky was a major source of inspiration for us when choosing the colours, including the brass handles and the illuminated logo sign.” – say the owners.

Every detail has been personally selected and designed by Tori. Particularly noteworthy are the bespoke wallpaper featuring a decorative letter „g” as the backdrop to the treatment stations, and the arrangement of dried flowers suspended above the stations, which serves as the main visual focal point of the entire salon.

„Our flowers attract a lot of attention from people passing by the shop. People often ask if they can take a photo of our interior” – the owners add.

Barbershop fittings: hairdressing furniture to suit a specific style

Opting for something different from standard barber’s chairs, Frankie & Son chose the Lara Reclining hairdressing chair in the shade ‘Blush’. The chair is more compact than traditional barber’s chairs, and its blush-coloured seat is paired with a matt black base. Tori went one step further and had the armrests repainted black, using the services of a local powder-coating supplier to ensure the detail matched the rest of the interior.

This approach to furnishing a hairdressing salon has a tangible impact on the business: a chair in an unusual colour becomes a recognisable feature, rather than just a place to sit, which reinforces the impression that this is „a salon you simply have to see for yourself”.

Circa LED round illuminated mirrors from Comfortel have been added to light the styling stations, whilst pull-out hairdressing washbasins have been fitted into the built-in units and cabinets. Better lighting at the station means less touch-up work during haircuts and shaves, whilst the pull-out washbasins allow for a compact layout of the fitted units without compromising the ability to wash clients’ hair on the spot.

„Our experience working with Comfortel was fantastic. We were in touch with the team at the Auckland showroom; they were quick to respond and helpful with all our queries about the furniture. The whole process was a pleasure and went very smoothly” – say the owners.

How to recreate the Art Deco style in your barbershop

The Frankie & Son project demonstrates that the Art Deco style can be incorporated into a barbershop without compromising its masculine character, provided you stick to a few guidelines when selecting the barbershop’s furnishings:

• To achieve an Art Deco effect, create a layered look in your interior by adding textured wallpaper. Incorporate geometric or angular shapes, but vary the textures and materials.
• To achieve an opulent look, choose deep, warm, neutral colours that are masculine but not too dark or overpowering.
• Combine traditionally masculine materials, such as leather and wood, with neutral yet interesting, lighter fabrics and upholstery.
• Keep the finishing details simple and symmetrical.

Plan your barbershop’s fittings with Comfortel

Are you planning an Art Deco-style barbershop or another project based on bold colours and materials? Get in touch with the Comfortel team to select furnishings that suit the size of your premises, your budget and your chosen interior style. We’ll help you plan your chairs, mirrors and accessories so that they enhance the unique character of your salon.

Products featured in the article:

• Lara Reclining Hairdressing Chair (Blush)
• Living room mirror Circa LED (round)

Showroom details
Barbershop: Frankie & Son Barbershop
Address: 159 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Page: www.frankieandson.com
Instagram: @frankieandson
Owners: Stu Tafua and Tori Wiki
Interior design: Tori Wiki, @toriwiki
Furniture: Comfortel Furniture
Photographer: Shauni Van Apeldoorn