Will Speros • December 2, 2019
Photography by Alice Gao
London-based designer Fran Hickman has executed the interiors of Paintbox, a minimalist nail salon recently opened in New York’s Upper East Side. The design, which draws inspiration from artist Josef Albers’ seminal text and masterwork, “Interaction of Color,” aims to present the unexpected across layers of color, material, and texture.
The two-floor salon is detailed with whimsical focal points, such as bespoke acrylic shelves that accent the gentle notes of pink in the plaster walls. Colors are layered through perforated sheer curtains, and colored basins, in addition to an upholstered purple wool bench sitting beside a yellow sofa.
The brush-steel reception desk is installed with a silverback glass desktop, while Calacatta marble is showcased alongside seagrass Corian, faux baby ostrich leather, and olive ceramic tiles. A glazed lava stone workstation of pure white provides a pristine backdrop to absorb the medley of color, as abundant tones of green further foster an air of energy.
