A Fresh Look for a Hair Salon in Southport
A successful collaboration delivers a stylish space at the Delamar.
White-oak flooring is from Carlisle. Photograph by Ellen McDermott.
Recently, CTC&G caught up with Elie and Danielle Camoro—the owners of Camoro Boutique Salon—and their decorating team of independent interior designers Eric Cohler and Christopher Maya. The husband-and-wife team had years of experience working in New York salons, but when Covid hit, they moved to their home in Fairfield and saw their clients out of their pool house. At the suggestion of one of their clients, they enquired about a space at the Delamar Southport. This new location at the hotel would keep them closer to home and their young boys. The Camoros were familiar with Eric and Christopher, yet they had never collaborated on a project before. The time seemed right to bring the four together.
Salon owners Elie and Danielle Camoro. Photograph by Ellen McDermott.
What was your original concept for the space?
Danielle: I wanted a bright space for our well-travelled clients to unwind that would become their happy place. We also wanted our staff to feel insprired every day. The vibe is relaxing but on point to every detail. Huge, beautiful windows, design inspiration at every turn and beautiful craftsmanship.
Elie: Our clientele is mostly New York expats who are happy to find their salon in the ‘burbs.
A unique point about this project is that the two of you have your own design firms. How did this collaboration come about?
Eric: Christopher and I have always talked about collaborating on a project over the years, and this was the perfect opportunity.
Christopher: We worked flawlessly together as we have a similar design sensibility.
A Serena & Lily coffee table anchors the lounge area. Photograph by Ellen McDermott.
What was the original space like, and what types of challenges presented themselves?
Eric: The space was originally the nondescript office of an investment firm and was formulaic gray carpet, white walls, rubber baseboards, dropped ceilings and florescent lighting.
Christopher: Lighting is crucial in a hair salon because it needs to be clean and even. The mirrors were backlit, and the downlights were strategically planned around the workstations. The hanging light fixtures in the waiting room and the wash stations are mostly decorative.
How did you create such a quiet space?
Christopher: To create a peaceful sanctuary with a wellness vibe, we limited the number of chairs to seven. Additionally, for a serene feeling, we used wide-plank, white-oak floors, plaster walls and ceilings.
Eric: Because the salon opens directly off the parking lot, we kept the space quiet by using soft upholstered furnishings, then added citrus trees, as well as shutters for each window.
Christopher Farr Cloth wallpaper through Holland & Sherry lines the dressing room. Photograph by Ellen McDermott.
The variety of textures and materials in the space gives it a more residential feel. Can you talk about some of the materials you chose?
Eric: Texture breathes life into a space adding dimension and visual interest. The fabrics and wallcoverings are a mix of practical and luxurious.
Christopher: Fabrics for the waiting room and dressing room are a mix of mohair and cotton prints. The three decorative light fixtures in the salon are custom made of natural plaster and hang from the ceiling by natural jute rope. The high-gloss painted blue walls of the powder room provide yet another texture, which evokes the natural element of water.
The powder room sports high-gloss paint by Floe Painting; artwork is by Mary Maguire. Photograph by Ellen McDermott.
What are your favorite elements in the new salon?
Elie: The handcrafted cerused white oak and the tambour profile stations.
Danielle: The blue high-gloss paint in the powder room!
The print version of this article appears with the headline: A Fresh Look.
