
Got a Gorgeous New Business? SALONS OF THE YEAR Application Now Open!
The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!
Three decades of history and a fortunate friendship help David Lowery build the salon of his imagination. Meet DL Lowry Salon in Indianapolis, the salon that capture 1st runner up in the 2022 Salons of the Year.










DL Lowry Salon
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dllowry.com
OWNERS: David Lowry
SALON STYLE: sanctuary, radiant, sophisticated
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 6,500
STATIONS: 45
TREATMENT ROOMS: 2 and a VIP room
EQUIPMENT: Gigli Massimo
FURNITURE: Massimo Pizzoleo
TOTAL DESIGN INVESTMENT: $3,300,000
RETAIL LINES: Kerastase, Davines, Revlon
COLOR LINES: Revlon, Davines
DESIGN BY: Massimo Pizzoleo
ARCHITECTS: Meticulous Design + Architecture
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrew Kung
After nearly 30 years as a premiere salon destination in Indianapolis, Owner David Lowry decided it was time to invest in his own stand-alone building for his eponymous salon. Lowry called on his longtime friend Massimo Pizzoleo, a beauty industry designer, to bring his vision for a modern, yet timeless aesthetic to life.
Shining white Italian porcelain floors contrast with the exclusively designed black leather chairs, as bright light fills the expansive space. “This ethos of warmth, style and sophistication extends to every aspect of the salon,” Lowry says.
When guests arrive, a friendly receptionist greets them from the warm, wood-paneled front desk. Chic lounge furniture offers a place to enjoy complimentary wine, sparkling water, tea or coffee. Soon clients are soon escorted to a luxe shampoo area by way of a floating, Italian-tile, feature wall that catches the eye. The Zen arrangement of rocks and succulents underneath add a calming presence. At the shampoo station, plush black leather recliners with electric foot lifts and shiny white ergonomic bowls combine with the salon’s 15-minute head, neck and shoulder massage for the ultimate in pampering.
Color clients make their way to the dramatic, 18-foot-long Revlon Professional Color Bar and color island, which spans the back wall and middle section of the salon. Consultations and color applications are performed in the comfortable leather chairs around the sleek, 24-foot long table topped with fresh flowers. Next, clients find themselves at one of the 45 signature styling chairs, which showcase an extra design element of a white strip, looking into salon-specific, LED-lit Italian mirrors.
For clients seeking a hair loss consultation, a VIP private styling room with its own shampoo bowl is available upon request. Equipped with the Kerastase K-Pen diagnostic technology, a certified Bauman Medical Group hair-loss consultant can analyze the hair and scalp, showing the client microscopic images on an iPad.
While the salon was built with the salon’s three decades of loyal clients in mind, Lowry also is actively targeting younger, influential individuals in their 20s and 30s with discretionary income and an interest in beauty. “The highly visual space translates well to the digital platforms that this clientele seek when making a choice about a new salon,” Lowry says. “The design and high quality of the finishes create a buzz around the space and sets the stage for Instagram-worthy experiences.”

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

The landmark, photo-based interior design competition has opened its application process. We'd love you to hit us with your best shots!

At night, Dominic Michael Salon keeps the interior lights on, as the illuminated, eye-catching contemporary design serves as a billboard that consistently attracts new guests.

Built from the ground up, Mane 18’s design strikes a balance between an elevated experience for guests and the functionality and flow necessary for team members to perform at their best.

Andreas Hogue Salon’s recent renovation surprises visitors with the interior’s expansion of space, elevated retail area, and changing views of the restored Chicago prairie.

It's Day 10 of our SALON TODAY 200 reveals, and we've reached the end! Today, we toast the honorees in the second half of growth--the salons, spas, and barbershops that constantly strive to build stronger bottom lines, including Brandy Smith Stephens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On Day 9 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 reveals, a big 'Huzzah' to our first look at the salons, spas and barbershops that fueled their growth by mastering a number of best practices, including the fun team from Lavish Hair Lounge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (P.S. The second half of Growth comes tomorrow.)

A big "Bravo!" to the salons and spas that develop strong cultures that fuel growth while retaining team members, such as Soleil Salon & Spa team in Windham, New Hampshire, who catch up reading last year's 200 issue.

We tip our hats to the salons and spas that genuinely connect with guests and strive to elevate their service, including Chenica Racine and Ricka O'Bannon, owners of C&R Beauty Bar in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hats off to the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who make education a priority for employees at every level, including Eric Fisher Salon, which hosted Educator Oscar Bond for a cutting class in Wichita, Kansas.

Today, we have two 2026 SALON TODAY 200 categories as we hail the salons that find creative ways to build client loyalty and the ones that constantly explore and embrace new technology to further their businesses, including the social-savvy team from Verde Salon Group in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For today's SALON TODAY 200 announcements, we toast the honorees who prioritize the environment in their business decisions and those who take retail to the next level, including the excited team from Pure Salon Spa in Louisville, Kentucky.

Cheers to the SALON TODAY 200 honorees who give their time, talent and fundraising efforts to their communities, including Eli Mancha and the team from Bang! Salon, whose cut-a-thon has collected more than 1,200 coats that have been donated to Chicago's unhoused.

It's Day 1 of our 2026 SALON TODAY 200 announcements, and today, we raise our glasses for the honorees in the Business Builders category. These salons, including Elan Hair Studio in Spring Lake, New Jersey, took strategic risks that paid off in revenue-generating success.

It's time to celebrate the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 honorees who design rewarding career paths and seek out enriching benefits to keep their team members healthy, happy and growing, including the team from Pinup Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, who always enjoy a good pajama party.

With a training salon, treatment rooms, education and collaboration spaces, a podcast studio and a yoga studio, BASE ONE is the foundation for the future growth of PENZONE Salons+Spas, as well as the company's gift to their community and the industry. Peruse the image gallery or take the personalized video tour led by Debra Penzone to see this exceptional space.

As our judges read those last essays and create their list of honorees in each category, we're planning to start announce the 2026 SALON TODAY 200 starting February 25.