Architects’ beauty salon shortlisted for prestige award

Aug 20 2008 by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL architect Austin-Smith:Lord has been shortlisted for an international design award after designing a new- look for hair and beauty salon Barbara Daley.

The practice’s interior design team remodelled a unit in Grade II-listed Northwestern Hall, next to Lime Street Station, into a new salon.

The £750,000 project included creating a new staircase to two new upper-level beauty treatment rooms.

Austin-Smith:Lord is now up against companies from London and Malaysia in the FX International Interior Design Awards. The winner will be announced in October.

David Batt, interior designer at Austin-Smith:Lord, said: “Transforming a poorly-maintained listed unit into a contemporary high street salon was a really big challenge, and we’re very proud of the results.

“We’ve succeeded in creating a modern, fresh interior while also preserving and enhancing some of the unique architectural features of the building, such as the arches and wrought iron work.”

Barbara Daley, whose clients include Coleen McLoughlin, has seen sales rise since its move.

Ms Daley said: “We have had a great response from clients, and they all seem to love the new salon, which is what matters the most.”