
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!
A fortuitous encounter with a psychic leads an Indigo Child to design a luxurious beauty retreat in Texas. Meet Indigo Child Salon, who captured second-runner up in the 2022 Salons of the Year competition.








INDIGO CHILD SALON
Dallas, Texas
Indigochilddallas.com
OWNER: Sarah King Lynch
SALON STYLE: clean, modern, chic
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,200
STATIONS: 20
TREATMENT ROOMS: 1
EQUIPMENT: Minerva Beauty
FURNITURE: 44 Build
TOTAL DESIGN INVESTMENT: $750,000
RETAIL LINES: Kerastase, Shu Uemura, R+Co
COLOR LINES: L’Oreal, Redken
DESIGN BY: 44 Build
ARCHITECTS: Trasher Works
PHOTOGRAPHER: Marshall Cox
A few years ago, Sarah King Lynch and her husband were at a cocktail party that offered aura readings. The psychic told her she was an Indigo Child— a free thinker with extreme empathy and sensitivity, with a deep desire to help change the world. The memory stuck with Lynch, and when she opened up her Dallas-based salon in the Bishop Arts District in 2020, she named it Indigo Child Salon.
“Our target market is the woman ready to take charge of her life,” says Lynch. “I believe our design attracts someone that loves a luxury experience without the stuffiness—it is nice, clean and welcoming, but not over the top.”
The open layout of the salon allows for smooth traffic flow while floor to ceiling windows let in dreamy, natural light. Originally, the owner wanted a walkway between the windows and the stations, but the design firm convinced Lynch to plant cactus that were sourced from a few places in Texas along the windows. Once a quarter, a plant expert checks on them to make sure they are being watered and fed properly.
In addition, gorgeous floral displays bursting in shades of pastel infuse color into the salon throughout. Lynch works with Patricio Rivera from Twelve Thirty Four, an award-winning florist who brings fresh arrangements once a month, and in between a staff member who has a talent with flowers keeps them looking fresh.
“We partnered with 44build to design and create our front desk, retail shelves, color bar and stations because we wanted these pieces to be subtle, cohesive and pleasing to the eye,” Lynch says. “Instead of having the mirrors against the wall, we arranged the stations in pods to encourage both staff members and guests to converse with one another. I like to keep things super clean, so shelves underneath the stations store bags and supplies.”
One of the most-talked-about features of the salon is a piece of art that Lynch fell in love with, and when she accomplished a personal goal she had set for herself, she rewarded herself by buying the painting. The provocative “Eden” by Opal Milk, symbolizes both strength and vulnerability, and the owner says it never fails to spark great questions and conversations.

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.