When Ashley and Andreas Hogue were presented with the opportunity to take over an adjacent storefront, they realized a long-awaited dream of expansion. The resulting remodel enabled them to add 2,500 square feet of space, increase the number of stations, create a separate shampoo area, construct a third bathroom, and expand key areas, including the reception lounge, retail space, and break room.

“Approaching the salon, most people do not realize how large it is inside,” says Andreas. “The space is pie-shaped and expands widely as you walk from the front to the back. It reminds us of a technique that Frank Lloyd Wright used in many of his designs—the compress and expand principle. From the outside, we look small, but once you enter, you are met by an expansive and beautiful, light-filled space that evokes drama and splendor.”

When first-time guests enter, they frequently are delighted by what’s behind the double doors. “We are greeted multiple times a day by a wide-eyed visitor looking around our sun-bathed interior and saying ‘Wow!’” Ashley adds.

To add light, the couple punched out the brick wall at the back of the building and added a sweeping wall of 10-foot windows. “We are fortunate that our salon backs up to a parcel of restored Chicago prairie, so our clients can gaze at wildflowers and a duck family in the summer and glistening snow in the winter," says Ashley. “Whatever the season, the colors outside are part of our space.”

To punctuate the space in front of the salon, the Hogues designed their own floral installation around the front door, which changes every few months to reflect the salon's mood and serve as an eye-catching botanical welcome. The installation is illuminated at night and draws the eye from a distance.

Favorite design elements inside the salon include the use of mixed materials, such as brick, exotic wood, gorgeous tiles, stone, soft, floating lanterns, and unique high-end fixtures. “Guests love the dedicated shampoo room that features a carefully designed lighting experience, our 16-foot-long gold desk, and our open-concept color bar, which allows colorists to mix formula while facing the guests,” Andreas says. “And, our 30-foot-wide retail wall begs guests to shop our selection of specialty beauty products and gifts.”

One of the most unique design elements was the brainchild of Designer Tess Millard, who created custom shelving that encircled structural poles that rise more than 20 feet. “Most designers would ignore these poles, but Tess embraced them and designed retail shelves around them, displaying items both high and low,” he adds.

Even the salon’s bathrooms have become a ‘destination’ with realtors and design-minded folks flocking to see the wallpaper and flooring that the owners installed.

“We really enjoyed working with Artistic Tile in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart to source our unique tile for our octagonal entryway, the checkerboard pattern in our shampoo room, and for all of our bathrooms, each of which has their own unique color palette and design,” Ashley says. “Many a selfie has been taken in the Andreas Hogue powder rooms!”

Ashley and Andreas Hogue give you a personal tour of the space: 

Andreas Hogue
Northbrook, IL
andreashogue.com
Owners: Ashley and Andreas Hogue
Salon Style: Modern, Elegant, Approachable
Square Footage: 5,200
Stations: 17
Treatment Rooms: 1
Equipment: Takara Belmont, Millard Kwon
Furniture: Millard Kwon
Total Design Investment: $730,000
Retail Lines: R+Co, Oribe, Kerastase
Color Lines: L’Oreal, Redken
Design by: Millard Kwon
Architect: Jeff Funke
Photographer: Nicole Thomas Photography