Final look!

Today was opening day and it was AWESOME! Of course I forgot to take pictures at the beginning of the day because I was so nervous about getting started. But after I was done for the day, I cleaned up everything and took a bunch of pictures of the overall space. I'm so happy with the way it turned out and I have many people to thank for all their time, effort & hard work. It looks incredible! (Now to just finish decorating!!)

And yes, the pictures were taken with my cell phone. Sorry the quality is so bad. If its hard to picture, maybe you should come schedule an appointment with me and see it in person. Huh? Just an idea!! ;)

With my door closed - Studio 121 "My Hair Lady" (The above orange sign will eventually have a drop down sign with my name & business name on it. For some reason it hasn't come in yet.

These shots are as you just walk in

Don't make fun on my plain walls! I haven't committed to a theme yet or decorations.. I don't want to clutter it up, so I'm going to keep it soft and simple for now.

Picture a tall cabinet here. (Up against the purple wall) I'm being very picky about the functionality of a cabinet, so I can't find my 'dream' one anywhere. Joe has decided to build me one this weekend, just the way I want it!

This mirror is GORGEOUS and I don't want to put anything else on the wall to take attention away from it. I just love it!

Again here is where the cabinet will be and this is my station!

The hardware before was just silver bars, nothing fancy, so I bought these new handles to class it up a bit!

These are my expensive chairs I got for a real steal! (See my photo blog) And my sister Kalie made the pillows for me. Thanks Kalie, and thanks for working so hard on my aprons! Can't wait to see them!!!

And here is my awesome chandelier I mentioned in yesterdays post. Its fabulous and now that I spray painted it gold it fits in the  room better. My stepmom found me this awesome piece at Swiss Days. Thank you Nancy, it rocks!

My light switch covers. Silly and not necessary, but I loved them as soon as I saw them! I also spray painted them to match the room.

And here are my kick-butt floors. My husband did an great job installing them. (With the help of my amazing brother-in-law Jesse.) Those guys do flawless work! I LOVE MY FLOORS!!!!!!

Alright, there you have it! I'm excited to find new trinkets along the way. Someone told me my tissue box didn't match (??) so now I have a complex to find a box cover that suits the room. Suggestions??

A few more pictures of the salon

I was so bad at capturing the progression of my studio makeover! I've been on a tight schedule to get it done, so I started forgetting little things, like taking pictures of each stage. The pictures from my last post were mainly the before pictures and the painting stage. Well here is the flooring stage. And of course I don't have a final flooring stage picture, but I open the salon tomorrow and will be taking plenty of pictures now that its mostly completed. My mom & stepdad did crown molding, baseboards & a nice corner wood pieces that separates the colored walls. My stepdad also re-did the frame around my station mirror and we gave the station drawers new hardware. Not to mention the fact that I've slowly started decorating. The big mirror is hung, my clock spray-painted and installed, curtain rod is up and I'm just about to iron my curtain for tomorrow. My stepmom gave me this beautiful chandelier for my ceiling. (Not of functioning light, but great decoration!!) I fashioned it a bit; the chain & skeleton of the chandelier were silver and I wanted it to be gold. I took off all the crystals and gave it a good cover with some brass spray paint and put it back together! It fits in the room so nicely. Plus I got a great deal on some 'waiting' chairs, Joe refinished a table to put in between them and my sister Kalie made me 2 pillows to put on the chairs.

I still would like to get a cabinet to hold my color needs & back stock items and possibly a fridge for convenience. I have NO decorations on the walls as of yet and I'm really on the fence about what to do. I don't want to clutter the space...so I'll have to see as the weeks go by.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow night after opening day. Again sorry I've slacked on updating pictures as the salon developed. But here are the floor pictures...

You can tell we weren't very 'careful' when painting. 

Oh well, I knew I wanted to rip it up anyway.

This is what was underneath. It was a peachy, industrial tile. 

It had  MANY hair dye spills!! Someone before wasn't very careful!

Unfortunately we uncovered some mold. (If you hadn't seen  my photo-blog post)

We had to call in a plumber and the landlord had to deal with it. 

Luckily it only set us back 2 days.

Okay this is the only picture I have so far of the new floor. 

I went cheap and bought vinyl/laminate flooring and Joe laid a few squares 

down to see how it would look. I honestly think its my favorite part of the salon. 

I can't wait to show you a picture of the finished look.

I'm a Business Owner!

That's right everyone, I now officially own my own business! The last few months have been quite the struggle with my current salon and the upper management systems. My 'inner' salon, meaning me and my stylists, all work very well together. Excellent team work, great customers service, an amazing reputation...I could go on and on.... I've been VERY proud of my salon and all the success we've had together as a team, however, if there wasn't a 'management' pyramid or someone to answer too, I'd probably never leave. But unfortunately everyone answers to someone and I've just been real unhappy lately. I've been working for Smart Style for 5 & 1/2 years and I've been managing for just under 3 years. I can't find the words to describe what a huge impact this company has had on my life. This was the first hair stylist job I had RIGHT out of beauty school. I've met and worked with some incredible people and in the last 3 years I've grown, not only in my success as a hair dresser, but in my management skills as well. (And not to mention the character & personal growth I've experienced as well.) My life has been "Smart Style-focused" for so long, I'm a little sad to say that my Smart Style career is coming to an end.

A new opportunity has come my way and I'm excited to say that I'm jumping at the chance and taking a HUGE risk! I've found a studio that suits me, just the way I am and will give me a more personal environment for my clients. There is a Studio just down the street from my current salon that has an opening. (Not only for me to rent a booth in, but to actually lease my own studio!) I have my own room, station, sink, mirror and chair. And I can decorate, paint or remodel anything I want, within my 4 walls. IT'S SO EXCITED!

This past week I gave my notice to my supervisory, got myself a business license, signed my contract with the studio, started 'project make-over' on my studio, painted all 4 walls and tomorrow I'm going to rip up the flooring!! (Oh and go shopping for some decorations & waiting chairs...I'm hoping I can find some good Labor Day steals!) Basically...its been a crazy recently and there is no end in sight! I still have to work a week & 1/2 at my current salon, all while getting my new salon ready for business to start the day after I leave Smart Style.  Luckily I got a lot accomplished over this holiday weekend, plus on my days off this week I have already created my 'TO-DO lists.' Its all coming together quickly and nicely...one little stress at a time!! LOL!!  I'm going to try and open 'officially' for business on September 15th or 16th...wish me luck!

Here are a few 'process' photos of the studio. Thanks to my mom, Kalie & little Jesse, we were able to paint all 4 walls today. I'm excited to go back tomorrow and see what the 'dried' paint color looks like. And thank you Joe for bring lunch & my Dad & Nancy for stopping by with treats and staying to visit!!

 I have a door with a window!!

 These are the things that are supplied to me already.

(And my sister Andee got my those beautiful flowers!!)

 The mirror on the floor isn't technically part of the supplied items, but they said I could use - who wouldn't? Its GORGESOUS!

 And here is the last of my 4 corners!!

 My mom & Kalie as we prepped for painting!

 My nephew Jesse came to help...for about 10 minutes...then he was bored!

 Here is my 34-week pregnant sister doing some hardcore painting!! Thanks Kalie!!!

Jesse sat at the 'No receptionist' reception desk and watched movies

 The lighting is bad in these photos, go figure. But my colors are called Applesauce, Applecrumb Cake and Delicious Berry. Mmm...makes me hungry!

 The 'Delicious Berry' color FREAKED me out at first. It went on like a Fuschia/Hot pink kind of purple...I was NERVOUS!

 Okay you can tell it is getting darker as it dries!! PHEW!

 In this photo we had just put on the 3rd coat of purple. We didn't stick around to see it dry, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it looks great tomorrow!!

 Here's a good shot of the lighter walls.

And again, the last of my 4 walls. 

Tomorrow Joe and I are spending Labor Day evening, ripping up floors and prepping them to lay the new flooring probably Thursday or Friday this week. Plus my mom & step dad Kelly are getting me baseboards, crown molding and a little wooden piece to go down the center of the wall corners (hence the reason why the paint colors don't meet at the center.) We're going to paint ALL the trim black so the walls will have a 'framed' looked. Plus Kelly is also making me a chunkier black frame to go around my mirror. 

What a difference a few days make! I registered my business name, processed my business license AND 'broke ground' on my space. Stay tuned for more 'process' photos!! (I swear my life is one room project after another. After my kitchen it was supposed to be my bathroom...guess that'll have to wait until the salon is up and running!!) Projects, projects, projects!!!!