Mane 18 was designed to serve a client who values both style and substance. “These individuals typically want more than just a haircut, color or massage—they are looking for an elevated experience,” says Owner Kessler Davis. “They want a polished environment that feels like a bit of a retreat from their daily routine.”

Kessler delivered with a salon design curated with both the client and her staff in mind, balancing a high-end, spa-like experience for the guest with the flow, comfort and efficiency needed for the team to work at their best. 

Stepping through the salon’s doors, guests notice the thoughtfully designed entryway. A gorgeous stone wall climbs up toward the 16-foot ceilings, while exquisite lighting highlights the salon’s logo. Elegant built-in product shelves flank the wall, inviting guests to shop. “This entry is more than a transition space; it’s a showcase of premium haircare and beauty products we use every day,” Kessler says. 

A guest favorite is the new refreshment bar. Designed with clean marble counters and soft brass fixtures, this stylish and trendy nook is stocked with herbal teas, fresh-roasted coffee, water, and other beverages, as well as seasonal treats. “It’s our way of saying, 'You matter, and your time here should feel like a break from your everyday,’” she adds. 

On the salon floor, white stations, long oval mirrors, and taupe chairs create a clean, elevated look. Kessler points out, “They are spaced with intention, giving stylists room to move freely while providing discreet storage, reducing clutter, and encouraging organization.”

Since the salon was built from the ground up, Kessler had the opportunity to design six treatment rooms that she currently rents out, allowing her to offer her guests more extensive wellness offerings without having to manage that part of the business with the same intensity as she does the salon.  “We have a medical esthetician who does Botox and weight loss consulting, another esthetician who focuses on facials, a massage therapist, a nail artist, a brow artist, and a lash artist.”

Tucked away on the main floor, the shampoo area offers a distinct shift in mood, maintaining the same modern feel. The processing room is a relaxing space that gives a natural pause in their service, creating intentional downtime that allows both clients and team members to reset and prepare for the next phase in the process. It’s also a space that effectively accommodates overlapping appointments. 

“Our 1,000-square-foot breakroom includes a full kitchen and lounge for the stylists, as well as a perfectly organized color bar,” Kessler concludes. “It all adds up to a space that feels good to work in, and when that happens, the team shows up with more energy, creativity, and professionalism.”

Mane 18
Augusta, Georgia
manexviii.com
Owner: Kessler Davis
Salon Style: Modern, Timeless, Sophisticated
Square Footage: 4100
Stations: 18
Treatment Rooms: 6
Manicure Stations: 1
Equipment: Minerva Beauty
Furniture: Minerva Beauty
Total Design Investment: $1,900,000
Retail Lines: Oribe, Kerastase
Color Lines: Goldwell, Redken, Wella
Design by: Cheathem Fletcher Scott, Meaghan Thigpen
Architect: Cheathem Fletcher Scott, Megan Denton
Photographer: Laura Gay