DIAMOND in the rough

Jen Gaia discusses taking on a space that no one else could see the potential in

"It was about listening to the space and letting it evolve naturally."

During her training, Jen Gaia realised early on that there was a glaring gap in the market for curl specialists – a gap she wanted to help fill. After working as an employed stylist, and then as a mobile stylist, Jen ultimately recognised that in order to create the kind of educational, curl-focused content she was passionate about she would need her own space.

The Curl Specialist Bournemouth is housed in an old showroom for motorbike parts, which Jen notes: “No one else could see the potential in the space, but I did.” The property had plenty of character, but was a far cry from the vision she had in mind, with blue carpets, awkward office partitions and peeling signage. To transform the space, Jen and her wife carried out the majority of the renovation themselves, with the assistance of an electrician and a plumber.

Stripping back the space required more labour than anticipated; a floating ceiling structure concealed a layer of polystyrene and caulk that had to be sandblasted, while the floor was comprised of layers of carpet, laminate, wooden boards and rogue nails. “We rented a floor sander for the weekend, but the nails were destroying our sanding sheets, so in the end we had to finish the task by hand. Rustic was the only way forward at that point, though once we had stained the wood it all came together beautifully,” she recalls.

Jen took an intuitive approach to the design of the salon, telling us: “I knew where the chairs should go, and the basin had a fixed place, but beyond that, it was about listening to the space and letting it evolve naturally.” Meanwhile, the colour palette is rooted in natural tones – think earthy greens and reds, from the exposed brick to the limewash walls, creating a grounded, calming feeling.

A variety of lighting was installed throughout the space to ensure colour looks true to tone without highlighting imperfections. Two large windows flood the space with natural light and LED vintage filament bulbs, all set on dimmers, allow for adjustments based on the time of day or the service being performed. Elsewhere, large LED bulbs housed in rattan shades bring a soft, diffused glow that complement the salon's natural textures and earthy tones. One of Jen’s favourite features is the ladder lighting above the stations, rescued from a skip and decorated with small, positive affirmations for clients to catch glimpses of while they recline.

When it came to furnishing the salon, not a single piece was bought new, with Jen telling us: “I sourced nearly everything second-hand or free, mainly from Facebook Marketplace – it’s amazing what you can find if you’re patient.” This includes the French dresser (just £20) and two styling chairs, bought together for £30 and lovingly restored by Jen and her wife.

Jen reflects on the journey, from the moment she picked up the keys to the final brushstroke, as a labour of love. Of course, the process wasn’t without its challenges, but she concedes: “When you’re working with repurposed and second-hand materials, you accept that perfection isn’t the goal; it’s about character, creativity and problem-solving. Every little hiccup along the way has made the result feel even more special.”