At just over 15,000 citizens, Owosso, Michigan may be a small town, but in the 1920s it had a unique claim to fame. “We had the most millionaires per capita in the country,” says Casey Voss, who owns the salon with her husband Adam Voss and her longtime business partner Jamie Smith. “So we thought why not created a beautiful salon and spa here and celebrate our town’s cool history.”

With history guiding their designing minds, the trio settled on an old furniture warehouse for the salon’s space, and they incorporated the building’s historical details and structural components into the overall design. “While Jamie was responsible for most of the design decisions, I convinced her to let me have free reign with the open color bar,” laughs Voss. “Swiping an idea from Pinterest, we it from local, salvaged barn wood and created its top with leather belts collected from family, friends, clients and staff. Now, it’s one of our favorite pieces.”

Behind the color bar and in-between the shampoo area and the barbershop, sepia-toned images of historic Owosso are printed on etched glass—creating a sense of privacy between the spaces while allowing light to flow through the space. Resalvaged wood continues to play a role in the hand-made station mirrors hung from the ceiling while elegance factors into the space with strategically placed chandeliers. The front desk welcomes guests with a mosaic of shimmering glass tiles in shades of browns and accents of bright blue, while its poured concrete counter top weaves in the rustic charm.

“Our clients love how the space celebrates our small town, and they say the atmosphere makes them feel like dressing up to come in for their salon experience,” says Voss.

The new design ushered in some new changes to the existing business, as well. Adam Voss completed barbering school last year, and his wife and Smith opted to move the salon’s nail area to create a man cave for him, opening up The Lounge Barbershop and Shave Parlor. “Initially, we thought he’d built a clientele off the spouses of our salon clients, but it turns out it’s brought in a whole new clientele wanting the upscale men’s services.”

2013 SALONS OF THE YEAR
3RD RUNNER UP
Hair Peace Salon and Spa featuring The Lounge Barbershop and Shave Parlor
Owosso, Michigan
Hairpeacesalonandspa.com
OWNERS: Jamie Smith, Casey & Adam Voss
SALON STYLE: Rustic elegance
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,800
STYLING STATIONS: 14
TREATMENT ROOMS: 2
EQUIPMENT: Salon Centric, Takara Belmont, Belvedere, Collins, Puresana
FURNITURE: Salon Centrics, Takara Belmont, Belvedere
TOTAL DESIGN INVESTMENT: $75,000
RETAIL LINE: Aveda, L’Oreal, MoroccanOil
COLOR LINE:Kemon, Redken, L’Oreal
DESIGN: Casey & Adam Voss, Ben & Jamie Smith
ARCHITECT: Ben Smith
PHOTOGRAPHY: Stacey Jenkinson Photography

JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
“This salon does the best job of using different colors, materials, and textures in a bold and daring manner, and it works really well! The front desk is one-of-a-kind. The attention to detail is unprecedented. Each room has its own unique look and feel, but the rustic/industrial feel created by the floor and ceiling ties everything together. The overall salon design defines their vulture and their brand and that makes them a winner.”—Ortmann

“The private shampoo room with the dim lights is a nice design element for a getaway from the busy atmosphere of the salon. The suspended mirrors on the station gives the design a rustic but modern edge.”—McGwire

“Loved the use of existing architecture incorporated into design.”—Jercha

“Great use of meultiple elements—wood, metal, stone—relaxed feeling to design works great!”—Valenzuela

“The synergy between the original/restored old warehouse and the new elements of the salon design is wonderful. Preserving the original columns, beams and flooring adds to the overall aesthetic and adds wonderful textures. I liked the consistency of materials such as the suspended oversized styling mirrors done in wood, and grainy unfinished wood paneling in the ‘man cave.’ Overall, an effective concept achievement.”—Soukhopalova