2nd Runner-Up

Bella Rinova Salon
Houston, Texas
Bellarinova.com
Owner: Lynnette Davis
Salon style: industrial chic, modern urban
Stations: 29
Treatment rooms: 2
Equipment: Minerva, Gigli and Massimo
Furniture: Gigli and Massimo
Total design investment: $831,000
Retail lines: Kerastase, Shu Uemura, Wella
Color lines: Goldwell, L’Oreal, Wella
Design by: Phil Pohl, Gigli and Massimo designer
Architects: James E, Evans, R.A.
Photography: Marcus Lopez

With four exterior walls made of glass, Bella Rinova Salon offers its sophisticated clientele a unique view of River Oaks District, Houston’s most prestigious shopping center which boasts the boutiques of designers like Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Harry Winston and Hermes.

When clients exit the salon’s elevators, they are drawn through an impressive retail area to the front desk with its back wall of marble. The salon’s waiting area features mid-century modern seating with an emerald green sofa. Around the perimeter of the salon, stations are backlit against the wall, while additional back-to-back stations feature gold-framed mirrors. The manicure/pedicure room offers an expansive view of the city, while contemporary barn doors lead to two facial rooms that have marble backsplashes and white glass counters.

While the salon’s glass exterior floods the salon with light, it presented a challenge to owner Lynette Davis when creating private and back-of-the-house spaces. “We accomplished this by centralizing all private areas, while the cutting, color, shampoo, retail and front desk areas fill in the spaces around the core,” Davis says. “The result is a plan that is open and free-flowing, but doesn’t give up all its secrets without a little exploration.”
One of those little secrets is a VIP room with a single station, private shampoo bowl, and a beautiful chandelier. Glass walls covered by sheers and a separate entrance assures privacy.

Another fun discovery is the salon’s 1,800 square foot terrace that overlooks the shopping center. “The terrace hosts four seating vignettes that are all contemporary in design and are separated by green grass rugs,” Davis says. “It’s an amazing space to process color or enjoy lunch.”