Sharp cuts. Relaxed surroundings.
Petrol walls, a purple Chesterfield and a neon sign with no ambition to be discreet. Tonic designed a barbershop you visit for a beard trim and stay in for another coffee. He asked for a little off the ends. The barber explained that tails aren't on the menu.
[ BRIEF ]
At the first meeting the owner said: “I don't want another shop with exposed brick, a pipe and a photo of a bearded man staring into the distance”. Tonic was also staring into the distance, but only because someone had opened a bag of treats. We agreed: room for precise cuts, good conversation and waiting that doesn't feel like punishment. The SOHO logo got its own wall. Tonic asked for his own chair. He was told to finish the project first.
SOHO Barber
INTERIOR DESIGN / TONIC
[ HOW IT WENT ]
We separated the cutting zone from the “I'll just wait here” zone. At the mirrors: wooden counters, black chairs and space for tools, so the barber doesn't hunt for clippers like a client hunts for parking. Tonic checked the aisles with his tail extended. One turn knocked over the sample catalogue. The report read: stress test complete, catalogue failed requirements.
The petrol walls calm the room, the pink neon makes an entrance, and the mirrors have separate warm task lighting. A beard needs to be even, not merely look good in a pink glow. We collected the logo layout and lighting options in arkeeno. When “maybe a little more pink” came up, Tonic showed the approved view. The owner nodded. For the first time in the shop's history, nobody asked for a touch-up at the back.
A purple Chesterfield, yellow cushions and a floral armchair with more personality than most moodboards. Add plants, a wooden table and coffee. The waiting area started behaving like a social club. Tonic sat down to test it and said the handover would take a little longer. Then a little longer still. The barber asked if he wanted a trim. “No, I'm supervising.” Supervision fell asleep nine minutes later.
[ TONIC SAYS ]
“The owner wanted people to turn their heads. I made a neon sign. Then he wanted them to stay. I made a sofa. When he asked about ventilation, I demonstrated my tail. The services engineer listed me as a source of uncontrolled draughts.”
TONIC.
SENIOR DESIGNER / STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
[ RESULTS ]
1
NEON WITH THE FINAL SAY
0
ACCIDENTAL PARTINGS IN THE PLAN
9 min
TO NAP-CERTIFY THE SOFA
[ CLIENT SAYS ]
“I asked for a shop with character. I got it. And a dog who checked the mirrors, sniffed the chairs and fell asleep on the sofa at handover. He says the last part is comfort certification.”
[ LIKE THE VIBE? ]