The perfect salon EXPERIENCE

Soft furnishings, fun foliage and an excellent array of coffee table books, Buller and Rice has created a modern-day refuge with a little help from Takara Belmont

HJ spoke to Anita Rice, Buller and Rice co-founder at a very busy time – in fact, it was in the final weeks before the opening of a third Buller and Rice salon in Wanstead, East London. During our conversation she exuded a sense of calm excitement about the interiors side of the project ahead.

BULLER AND RICE NEWINGTON GREEN

When we asked her how she would sum up the theme of Buller and Rice, client comfort was key. “It’s important for us that our clients experience a relaxed and homely feel,” explains Anita. “Everything that our clients touch puts them at ease. Nothing feels like what you’d expect in a salon environment.”

The salons are filled with the sort of books you’d find in a home too like cookery books and novels. There’s soft textiles and tapestries hung on walls, not to mention the natural fibred cosy cushions that adorn the waiting area. Anita says: “We feature an artist called Lilian Martinez, (@Bfgf on Instagram), in all our salons. Some of her works are throws that we hang on the wall, and that really helps with the acoustics in the salon.”

BULLER AND RICE WALTHAMSTOW

In terms of a colour palette, there’s no chrome or stark white walls here. “Our Newington Green salon is a Victorian building and it’s grade II listed, so we are restricted with what we can change, so we opted for block colouring on the more unusual wall shapes,” says Anita, adding: “We have heritage colours on the exterior and we went with a Palm Springs colour palette on the interior. It’s very Malibu-inspired with plaster pink tones, mint greens and fresh white walls. The mix of birch and walnut wood adds to the calming and fresh ambience too.”

Walthamstow meanwhile has a much more 70s California 'vibe'. “We were influenced by Scandi-nese style. Soft pink, clay, but not too feminine. It’s much earthier, with deep aubergine accents," she tells us.

"EVERYTHING THAT OUR CLIENTS TOUCH PUTS THEM AT EASE. NOTHING FEELS LIKE WHAT YOU’D EXPECT IN A SALON ENVIRONMENT."

When it comes to the furniture, Anita used reclaimed Takara Belmont Dainty grooming chairs in the Newington Green salon, which were re-upholstered by Moda. Why the Dainty? “We love the armrests and the fact that the back comes up higher, that it cocoons the client at their styling station,” she says.

BULLER AND RICE WALTHAMSTOW

Whichever salon you look at, plants are a huge part of the Buller and Rice aesthetic.

“The foliage is a representation of the fact that we are a sustainable salon.” That theme is set to continue with the new Wanstead salon, and the launch of a concept store filled with homeware. “And natural wine too!” adds Anita joyfully.

Recreate the look

RS Primo Integrated Shampoo System RS Primo ensures pure relaxation and indulgence during every salon visit whilst giving you the complete peace of mind that your equipment will exceed performance demands, and deliver quality and style for years to come.
Price: £4000.00 +VAT

Zen Ku styling chair As part of their quintessentially Japanese Zen collection, the Ku styling chair’s delicate physique, elegant design and slimline frame belies its strength and endurance. A co-ordinated waiting chair also ensures design and service continuity in the waiting area, and at the styling station.
Price: £880.00-£940.00
Waiting Chair £620.00