H2R Design, an award-winning design studio known for creating commercial and hospitality spaces, was tasked to design Rose Poudre, a refined ladies salon concept at the Galleria Mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

With the original project having evolved from a hair-styling bar into a full-service salon, the design was developed to redefine conventional female accents to feature industrial styles and robust materiality while maintaining a cozy ‘feel at home’ mood.

According to Jacqui Shaddock, partner at H2R design, the brief was to create an escape for women within the context of the hustle and bustle of a mall into a luxurious oasis for pampering and self-care.

Rose Poudre ... the styles and colours of the furniture were developed giving comfort the highest priority.

“Rose Poudre’s mission to provide services encouraging positivity and confidence through beauty enrichments is complemented by the interior space design, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Elegance, warmth and simplicity were the key words that guided the designers, creating a neutral tone that is down to earth and promotes moments of relaxation without overdoing with conventional feminine connotations,” Shaddock says.

The design was strategically devised, and materials were purposefully selected to create an exclusive approach to salon interiors. The salon is laced with bold tones, and strong metal accents, yet the space is light and inviting. Appreciation for raw beauty is at the root of the design, and it is reimagined with the use of textured concrete on the walls and floor. 

Rose Poudre exudes grace and indulgence with subtle elements that exert a feminine take on a modern industrial style. Metal work across the space creates an industrial vibe but is toned down with the use of rose gold, grey concrete, and light touches of pink concrete.

The salon is a very modern space with hints of vibrant elements such as Salome marble, dark Zebrano wood, and acrylic light panels. “The use of clean lines and carefully selected details in both joinery and overall design foundations pull the space together into one cohesive unit with a lot of character. This can be seen in detail in the reception area with the welcome desk at the front and the decorative marble centrepiece table on the right side of the salon.

“The styles and colours of the furniture were developed with comfort being the highest priority without compromising on aesthetic grace. Using deep royal blue fabrics and plush leathers on both the loose and fitted furniture counters the warm tones used in the rest of the salon. They are intentionally used to disrupt conventional salon colour palettes and to keep a trendy and visually pleasing ambiance that makes customers want to stay longer, lounge comfortably and chat,” Shaddock says.

The layout takes into consideration elements of privacy within the ladies-only salon. The use of sheer curtains separates areas that require additional privacy – allowing each customer to feel at ease as they transition from one area to the next.

The layout takes into consideration elements of privacy within the ladies-only salon.

The lighting is simple yet sophisticated and meant to be warmer and more inviting than typical bright salon lighting. It is tailored to each area including brighter sections in retail shelving areas that showcase products and the hair styling zone where focus is required for seeing the true colours being applied to hair. The hair wash basin area and the section for manicures and pedicures are dimmer and warmer creating a more relaxing environment.

Curved all-acrylic panels visually break up the concrete and white walls, softening up the space and giving it a feminine touch with the use of a light pink to warm the white gradient.

“Forgoing the aesthetic typically associated with salons and putting the needs and wants of the client first, H2R Design has created a clean, modern, and refined salon experience that encourages women to feel positive in the space while endorsing self-love and worthiness.

“With the quote ‘be your own kind of beautiful’ on the reception wall, H2R Design has developed an inimitable identity for Rose Poudre with attention to delicate detailing, letting the interiors complement the services, products and experience,” concludes Shaddock.

H2R is an award-winning London/Dubai-based design firm founded by Hasan and Husain Roomi along with their partner Jacqui Shaddock. Supported by a design team with broad global experience, the firm has designed some of the most renowned commercial and hospitality spaces across continents.

H2R endeavours to offer a total concept including branding and identity design, bespoke furniture and fitting design, salvaging and appropriation and even sourcing site locations.

H2R’s clients include Emaar Hospitality Group, Emaar Malls, Roya International, Al Abbar Enterprises, Mohamed Al Hilal Group, Pizza Express, Foodsters and many more.