A French Provençal-style hair salon: how Emily Hadrill came to be

Can a historic Victorian townhouse serve as the setting for a romantic hair salon? Emily Hadrill Hair Extensions & Salon in Paddington, Sydney, proves that it can, by combining classic French Provençal style with modern elements. A palette of powder pink and white plays a key role here, as does the salon’s furnishings, chosen to reflect a specific, feminine aesthetic. For the owner of this chain of salons, this offers a tangible business advantage: a recognisable, photogenic style that can be replicated across different locations without compromising the brand’s character.

How the French Provençal-style hairdressing salon came to be

Emily Hadrill Hair Extensions & Salon, situated in Sydney’s Paddington city centre, is a romantic design centred on the softness of powder pink and French Provençal chic. The blend of classic and modern styles lends this interior a relaxed elegance inspired by French chic.

Staying true to her style and branding, Emily Hadrill decided, when designing the salon’s upper floor, to combine the distinctive features of her existing salons with the Victorian architecture typical of the Paddington neighbourhood. The colour palette is based on romantic shades of powder pink with white, glossy accents, contrasting with the restored, dark wooden floor. Drawing on the interior’s Victorian character, the existing ceiling rosettes and decorative features were restored to complement the French style that Emily loves most.

„For my salon in Paddington, I really wanted to stay true to the building’s historic style. Fortunately, this style is my favourite, so creating a beautiful space was easy. I used the same joinery as in my other locations, because I love the French Provençal aesthetic. I think it worked perfectly in this space, given the building’s historic character,” says Emily Hadrill.

A key feature of the design is a composition of dried flowers in shades of pink and white suspended from the ceiling, which steals the show as the main visual focal point of the upper part of the living room. Beautiful crystal chandeliers and sheer curtains have been added to lend a sense of softness and luxury.

Blush-coloured hairdressing furniture as an element of a feminine style

The signature Rosie hairdressing chairs in a blush shade, on an aluminium base, were chosen to lend the interior a feminine, luxurious feel. Additional, personal touches, such as velvet furniture, glossy white joinery and bespoke mirrors in the French Provençal style, work together perfectly to create a cohesive, chic French style.

This choice of hairdressing salon fittings has a tangible impact on a multi-site business: having the same chair and the same fittings in every branch of the brand means that a customer will recognise an Emily Hadrill salon regardless of which city she happens to be in.

Location as part of a brand development strategy

The Paddington salon is one of Emily Hadrill’s four salons operating across Australia.

„I’m really glad I decided to take a risk and invest in this project, as it’s turned out to be a huge success, meeting the haircare needs of so many women. I live on the Gold Coast, where my first two salons are located, and having a salon in Sydney gives me a great reason to visit my favourite Australian city!” adds Emily.

How to recreate the French Provençal style in your living room

Emily Hadrill’s design shows that the French Provençal style can be incorporated into any salon, provided you stick to a few rules when choosing the décor for a hairdressing salon:

• Romantic French Provençal is a luxurious style that combines classic and modern furniture with interior design elements.
• Opt for a palette of monochromatic luxury, based on black and white with a glossy finish. Accents in a blush shade bring a touch of softness to the space.
• When choosing hairdressing furniture, opt for luxurious, quilted textures with upholstery in a blush shade or another textured colour. Combine soft, pleated fabrics, such as quilted fabric or velvet.
• Add a touch of softness with curtains, which can also serve as a divider between different areas of the living room.
• No French-style décor is complete without flowers. Use fresh bouquets of roses or peonies. For a softer look, arrangements of dried flowers in shades of white and pink will lend an air of effortless elegance.

Plan your living room furnishings with Comfortel

Are you planning a French Provençal-style hair salon or another design based on a feminine, luxurious aesthetic? 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 and accessories so that they enhance the unique character of your salon, regardless of the number of branches you have.

Products featured in the article:

• Rosie hairdressing chair (Blush)
• Hairdressing stool (Blush)

Showroom details Salon: Emily Hadrill Hair Extensions & Salon Address: 230 Glenmore Road, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia Website: www.ehhairextensions.com.au Instagram: @emillyhadrillhairextensions Hairdressing chairs: Comfortel Furniture Photographer: Snappr Photography Interior design: DNA Design Builder and joinery: Jessop Constructions