HJ INTERIORS
Pink PARADISE
Every aspect of Charlotte Paints Hair has been carefully considered to reflect Charlotte’s values of individuality, inclusivity, and creativity
“The salon design plays a crucial role in client experience and engagement. By making the space visually appealing and on-brand, we create an atmosphere where clients feel special, pampered, and excited to return”
Charlotte O’Flanagan, founder of Charlotte Paints Hair Studio in Solihull, West Midlands has been hairdressing since she was 16. She was often told that opening her own salon was “too much of a risk,” and she was dismissed as “just a little girl” rather than a businesswoman. But those setbacks taught her to sharpen her vision. By 2021, she had a robust business plan to prove not just that Charlotte Paints Hair could succeed, but exactly how.
Charlotte created the salon as a girl’s space, and regularly hosts community events. She says her clients are predominantly female so she wanted to create a space that was not only welcoming and safe but empowering too.
What was once a former travel agency has transformed into a bold, creative, and instantly recognisable salon. “The salons in our local area are very clinical looking, I think it’s fair to say that we definitely stand out amongst them. I wanted the salon to feel cosy, feminine, and welcoming, rather than adopting the traditional clean, minimalist hair salon look.”
Pink became the signature colour, reflecting the brand’s personality while making the space vibrant and Instagram-worthy. “The salon is always described as very aesthetic. At the front of the salon we have a wiggle mirror with a sign that says “That’s so painted” which a lot of clients like to take selfies on,” says Charlotte.
Warm wood tones give the salon a homely, stylish feel and every detail has been carefully curated, from designer books and quirky décor pieces like an upcycled metallic pink llama, to floral displays created with a local florist. The salon features four backwash stations and a statement vase shaped like a woman’s body, often filled with dried flowers, one of the most talked-about features among clients.
Charlotte brought her vision to life by creating a salon that’s both welcoming and distinctive. “The salon design plays a crucial role in client experience. By making the space visually appealing and on-brand, we created an atmosphere where clients feel special, pampered, and excited to return.” With its signature pink palette and warm, inviting design, the space perfectly embodies her brand’s unique and vibrant personality.
KEY FACTS
Name: Charlotte Paints Hair Studio
Address: 173b Stratford Rd, Shirley, Solihull B90 3AX
Owner: Charlotte O’Flanagan
When did the salon open: 2021 renovated in early 2024
Budget: £80K
CHARLOTTE’S TOP TIPS:
1 Plan a solid business case
Know your finances, layout, mission and audience.
2 Don’t underestimate the basics
Invest in plumbing, electrics and lighting.
3 Design for experience
Think not just how it looks, but how it feels. How people move through the space, and where might they take photos?