INTERIORS

Building A BRAND

Salon owner Sian Tulloch shares how building a strong brand identity shaped the trajectory of River Hair Company

“Bringing our brand identity into every single detail was hands down the best decision.”

FACT FILE

Name: River Hair Company

Address: 89 Cardiff Road, Taffs Well, Cardiff, CF15 7PL

Owner: Sian Tulloch

Size: 620 sq ft

When was the salon refurbished? Early 2026

How many staff: 8

Budget: Roughly £40,000

When Sian Tulloch relocated her salon to a larger premises, she admits the initial refit of the space was fairly basic. It wasn’t until a few years later that she began to recognise the importance of strong branding – and how closely it should tie into the physical environment. “I knew the salon needed a proper identity, and more importantly, that the interior no longer reflected the standard of service or experience we were offering,” she says.

A recommendation led Sian to Ollie from Smokin Mirrors, who helped redefine the salon’s brand and “brought a more luxurious, intentional feel to the business visually”. In fact, he did such a brilliant job with their digital identity; it made it even clearer that the salon interior needed to catch up.

Describing the salon’s image as “affordable luxury with a professional yet friendly vibe”, Sian collaborated with Aston & Fincher and designer Stephen Ewing to bring the concept to life. After visiting the space, Stephen worked closely with the existing branding to ensure a cohesive result. “It was such a collaborative and thoughtful process from start to finish,” she shares.

A key part of the redesign was zoning the salon into three distinct areas: reception, backwash and salon floor. “Each area now has its own atmosphere and purpose, which has improved both the client experience and how the team works day to day,” Sian explains. Lighting played a big role, with bright spotlights in reception, soft backlit mirrors on the salon floor and adjustable, spa-style lighting in the backwash.

After years of working with neutral tones, Sian introduced a more considered colour palette. “The pink adds softness, the green brings a calm, earthy balance, and the gold accents elevate the whole look with a touch of glam,” she says. A durable wood-effect vinyl flooring adds warmth while remaining practical for a busy salon environment.

The furniture choices were equally intentional. Eight styling stations feature pill-shaped mirrors for a “feminine yet classy feel.” Curved chairs replace the old square designs, saving space and improving functionality – no more hairdryer wires catching on the arms. Additional practical touches include custom chair covers to protect upholstery and raised blocks on selected chairs to better suit taller stylists.

At the rear, the backwash area features three sofa-style chairs, enhanced with mood lighting and wall-hung plants. Practicality remains key here, too, with the addition of a dedicated backwash bar for rinsing colour bowls, as well as kitchen cabinetry that doubles as storage and a separate drinks station.

However, one design choice which ended up hindering practicality was the placement of the electrical sockets. “I love that they’re hidden – it gives the space a really clean, high-end look – but from a practical point of view, it’s been a bit of a challenge.” Yet despite this small oversight, Sian tells us she could not be happier with the transformation of River Hair Company. “Bringing our brand identity into every single detail, from the mirrors to the gowns, was hands down the best decision. It’s given the salon a cohesive feel that clients immediately notice and connect with.”

SIAN’S TOP TIPS

1 Invest in professional advice Experience can make the process run a lot smoother.

2 Choose practical finishes that feel luxe A salon is ultimately a busy working environment.

3 Involve your team in decisions They know what their clients want and need.