Voluntary simplicity is certainly not new. Infact, it has been practiced and encouraged since thousands of years, literally!!! Minimalism is not cold and monotonous always. THE CROSSBOUNDARIES hereby introduces a concept entitled as “The Minimalist” where austerity is combined with vibrant and exposed services. “CUTTING EDGE” a 390 sq.ft of space is a state of Art, Unisex boutique Saloon. As the name suggests, “CUTTING EDGE” is an angularly premeditated one of its kind saloon in Vadodara, India.

Cutting Edge is a rejoinder to an entirely unique concept complemented within a stringent time schedule of 30 days. However, the entire project was executed within 27 days, adding 3 days to its commercial commencement. Our strategy was to project the small space with colossal list of client’s requirement in a way to attain a blend free flowing elements without any hindrance. Strict budget was another constraint, which THE CROSSBOUNDARIES overcame with a savings of 18%.

The reception desk at the entrance is emphasized with a pocket of fresh planters. The angular shimmering white reception desk and metallic jet grey ledge in the waiting area compliment and supplement each other. The planter pocket invigorates the entire concept by infusing an element of nature.

There are four stations for hair dressing and one station for hair shampoo/conditioning. All the stations are equipped with storage in the sides so as to create comfortable work ergonomics. Every station has a full sized mirror on the forth and sides. A small basin is allied with one of the stations for indoor hand wash. The separate room hides at the end which leads you to the groom’s section along with pedicure and Medicare section.

The exposed wiring plays a vital role in incepting a grid system on the ceiling. In consideration with the restrained space, the ceiling has been perceptively layered with grid of lights and exposed wiring. A set of “tailored pendent lights” and retained above each station and dedicated towards customer service. The lights are essentially customized and conceptualized by us so as to add a color element to the space. Further to elevate the ambience the linear spot lights in the ceilings helps to highlight the space horizontally.

The angular design juxtapositions all the 5 stations in a manner which creates a better space utility for the workers as well as the customers. The 4 styling chairs are kept angular facing the angular mirror providing a private space for each customer (like a semi cubical).

The “tailored pendent lights” hanging from the ceiling along with igniting the space also serve the prerequisite for artifacts. These lights have been conceptualized by us and personalized by a group of talented artists with hot wax and fiber as the core material. The “tailored pendent lights” deliver sensitive detailing with vibrant rustic splash of colors which augments to the overall appearance of the area.

The dark cozy area with a tint of bright yellow consents an aura of ease for the customers. Adjacent to the reception area the wall mural exhibits various postures of hands where the hair products are displayed, infusing a promising sculptural influence.

THE CROSSBOUNDARIES is recognized for evolving their own process and customize their own products. We believe in crafting uniqueness imbibed with methodology and concept. The idea hereunder was to craft 6 different hand postures of client’s hand to be mounted on a wall fashioning a deemed space for displaying products. The hand sculptures identify themselves as remarkable piece of sculptural art in the saloon. This concept was intellectualized with a helping received from the “HANDS”, a fine-artist friend to transform a vision into a reality.

We merged classic cozy atmosphere with unique design constituents. The tailored lights invite an orchestra of art drooping down the ceiling and with a perceptible grid system showcased above. The wooden PVC flooring adds to the overall expression of the area by adding flavor to the Grey’s, Yellow’s and Green’s flourished in the saloon.

Design Team : Hardik Dholu, Priyank Mistry, Sanket Prajapati, Vijay Dhabi, Urvi Velani, Harsh Boghani and Shailesh Boghani
Photography by Ashish Chakroborty