Bob Salon in South Yarra, Melbourne by GOLDEN

Bob Salon in South Yarra, VIC by GOLDEN | Yellowtrace

Designed by GOLDEN (previously known as We Are Huntly), the 85square-metre pint-sized hair salon in Melbourne’s South Yarra features a minimalist aesthetic, complementing the philosophy based on natural ingredients and sustainable practices.

“Bob has the intimate feel of a private residence shared on personal invitation,” share Alicia McKimm, Kylie Dorotic and Ellen Hodson of GOLDEN. A solid reclaimed-ironbark door gives way to a blush of dusty-pink stone left unfinished at its edges. Marble meets mirror and mirror meets teal. Tan leather recliners wink at a luxe retreat experience at the basins, and a nude-on-white palette flushes the space with quiet.

“Bob was a new venture for our clients, Charlotte and Amanda,” said the design team. “We really enjoy being involved in the creation of a new business – their excitement and energy for the project was infectious and we had lots of fun in our meetings.”

“They wanted Bob to have a very strong philosophy that was to be found not only in using natural, organic products, but the experience a client has from the moment they walked in. It was great to be able to draw inspiration from this philosophy, and there was a lot of discussion how we make the space embody these values, and feel like an oasis.”

In addition to responding to the aesthetic brief, GOLDEN ensured there was a cupboard, drawer and shelf for every last little item found in the salon, from brushes to dryers and colours. Each item needed to have a place that was mostly out of view, but always within easy reach.

“We learn a lot from every project. This was our first hair salon, so we really leant on our clients’ experience and knowledge of how the space functions moment to moment,” shares the design team. “Our job was to take all of this info and push it to the next level, to create something special beyond your common hair salon.”