The Purcell Rooms, Hook

The brief:

MPL was approached by the owner of The Purcell Rooms after work had already started on the relocation to new premises for his hair and beauty business. The contact was more of an SOS call than anything else, with a ‘conscious uncoupling’ having taken place between the original contractor and the client.

MPL was asked to appraise the progress so far (the job had reached the strip out phase), evaluate the proposed design, make practical improvements and execute the remainder of the refurbishment in line with the client’s high standards.

Our approach:

As with all our refurbishment projects where the client is in the business of aesthetics and wellbeing – such as our renovation of Samantha Hamilton-Stent’s acupuncture and natural health centre, and the Marylebone Implant Centre in Harley Street’s dental district, the feel and finish of The Purcell Rooms needed to be exceptional.

The plan was to divide the space into different zones, to include a hair washing and dying area, a nail bar, a clients’ refreshment area, a styling area, two waiting areas, a stockroom, WCs and kitchen/staff room.

To maximise the client’s return on property investment, we were also asked to renovate four rooms on the first floor that could be sub-let to a number of complementary beauty therapists. Our work comprises skimming ceilings, decorating to suit, laying new flooring and hanging new doors.

Allowing for shop floor utilities

Unlike commercial offices, where the utilities are usually confined to kitchens and cloakrooms, a hair salon needs sources in more upfront and unusual locations, such as a supply of water to hair washing basins, and power for illuminated mirrors and styling appliances in the middle of the main floor.

Care was taken to ensure utility supplies were safely provided to key areas. As a result, the floors needed attention, with breaking up loose cement, chasing in electric cables, applying damp proof membrane and self-levelling compound, and installing new luxury vinyl flooring. In the hair washing area, MPL also created a raised platform. Not only does this create a sense of theatre, especially with the added LED light strip, it also allows for a drainage route.

As MPL took on an empty shell, all perimeter walls and new partitions required plaster boarding, skimming and painting, with new skirting applied, to create the blank canvas on which a set of bold designs were to be applied.

A leaf out of the tropics’ book

The main styling area and the hair washing zone have a tropical biophilic theme, which works exceptionally well with the dark wood accents. Drawing on our bank of office wall ideas, the largest expanse is covered in a tropical leaf print mural, with the other walls painted in lush shades of green and a number of faux plant installations adding to the overall ambience.

In the middle of the styling area is now a bespoke unit to create eight styling stations, with a metal laminate polished finish, teal-coloured Tektura wall covering and statement mirrors. The nail bar has a totally different look thanks to the use of a petrol blue shade of paint and dark timber wall slats. Pendant lights have also been suspected over each individual nail station.

Additional details

MPL dismantled, relocated and re-installed previous premises furniture and paired this with new, bespoke and adapted joinery to provide storage solutions throughout the salon. Ceilings were brought up-to-scratch with grid repairs, tile changes and a full redecoration. We also supplied and installed a new external door to the rear of the premises, with associated ironmongery.