Before and after so far - round 1

Keep in mind that these are halfway through the remodel pictures!  But don't you agree, it's already looking 100 times better?? :)

Bathroom door and south wall before

Bathroom and south wall after

Before, the inside of the bathroom was the same mint green color/old toilet - this is after

We also ripped up the old bathroom floor and installed new gray tiles as well as a brand new toilet

This is the north wall before - the AC unit is gone and a new system has been since put in

This is the north wall after

The in-wall wet station units were taken by the previous tenant, leaving gaping holes.  This is the station area before

The stops of the holes have been drywalled in so mirrors can be attached directly to the wall with no spaces whatsoever.  This is halfway through completion of the station area - post drywall

This was the east and south walls before

This is the south and east walls after - the east wall is now the slightly darker accent wall to add some depth

There is no backroom for storage or color mixing, so the east side of the back south wall is going to have a storage cabinet and back bar sink installed.  Here is the start of this

My Dad just finished my reception desk and it is AMAZING!  It will be nice and private and L shaped against the east wall.

The in wall wet stations are also being built.  They are about half done - pardon the dust.  Construction is messy work!  Mirrors will be placed above the bowls and on the wall behind the station.

I'll post more pictures as we go.  Again, I can't thank my Dad enough for the awesome construction he is doing on this equipment!  I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do :)  Have a fabulous weekend, friends.

Muskegon's Newest Salon - Coming Soon!

I am so so so excited at the amount of progress being made on Salon a'la Mode!  My Dad is amazing and none of this would be possible without him or my Mom.  THANK YOU both!  At the tail end of Spring, we took over a suite at 2233 E. Apple Ave.  Our family chiropractor works in the other suite in the building.  It's a small space - yet just big enough to start out in.  The previous tenant left alot to be desired.  We have basically started from the floor up and have remodeled everything.  The theme or style [motif, if you will] is black, white, and hot pink.  There will be LOTS of zebra print .. go figure right?  Anyone that knows me, knows my love for zebra and pink.  Although it sounds wild, it will all be put together in a tasteful and modern way.  So far this is a list of what we have made our own as well as an idea to what else we plan on doing:

-The front door is going to be replaced with a white frame door that has glass in the middle...we will have the salon name appliqued on the glass and curtains to close when not in business hours.

-We drywalled and spackled [knock-down method] the existing wood paneling walls.  The walls are now textured and white rather than grey wood-grain like paneling.  There is one accent wall on the east side of a slightly darker grayish white....just to add some contrast.

-The bathroom has a new tile floor and new paint as well.  The walls are pink and white with black accent stripes in between.  We installed a new toilet and my Dad built a vanity underneath the existing sink.  The bathroom is teeny tiny, so the bright colors really make it pop.

-All of my stations and storage units are being handmade by my Dad.  He is doing an excellent job!  I couldn't ask for anything better!  Due to the plumbing that was already in place, we opted for 2 wet styling stations [shampoo bowls right in the counter top rather than having a separate wash section] and 1 free standing styling station without a shampoo bowl.  That way 2 other stylists along with myself can work as well.  I also have a floor to ceiling storage closet next to a mixing and backboard sink.

-My reception desk is finished!  It is beyond amazing and is L shaped.  It is built higher and deeper so there is a lot of privacy when it comes to my books, money and personal things. 

-My styling chairs will eventually be recovered in a zebra print pattern.  Once we can find the fabric that is!!  It has to be a vinyl or faux leather of some sort....normal fabrics will stain and wear easily from traffic.  If anyone out there knows where we can find zebra material like this, please, help!!  We have googled our hearts out and cannot seem to find it anywhere.  Ladies, think of your knock off [or real] zebra Dooney and Bourke purse type material.  It's out there somewhere!!  We just need to find it.

My wonderful brother is designing me a logo and business cards.  Hopefully I will have those in the next few weeks for distributing!  I am beyond excited that this is actually happening for me.  I hope that you all will keep in touch and link up with me from time to time and of course, visit the salon once I open up.  Opening date is up in the air right now, we have construction to finish as well as lots of inspections and licensing to get through yet.  But, come late fall, there will be a new salon in town! 

I will post some before pictures of what the salon looked like when we took possession [yuck!] and what the progress looks like so far.  Keep in mind, its PROGRESS, and not finished product!  But I think you'll all agree its looking 1000 times better already :)