Located in the central district of Eixample in Barcelona, CURLYLAB is a new hair salon that stands out for its soulful interiors that artfully interweave past and present, courtesy of interior design studio Miriam Barrio. Taking their cues from the eclectic architectural style of the late 19th-century building which blends Neo-Gothic and Catalan elements, the team complemented the property’s heritage features with a nature-inspired design language of organic shapes, vibrant textures, and earthy hues. As a nod to the salon’s focus on curly hair, the curvaceous furnishings inject a sense of playfulness into the stately interior, while a rich tapestry of textures adds depth and enhances the sense of artisanal craftsmanship; the latter both an homage to the city’s crafts traditions and an allusion to the hair salon’s bespoke services.

Swathed in warm terracotta tones, the space stands out against the sombre grey exterior when viewed through the large street windows from the outside. Once inside, the colour palette comes alive through a rich tapestry of textures: exposed brickwork, micro-cement surfaces, glazed ceramic tiling, and velvet upholstery comprise a tactile landscape marked by the wavy shapes of the built-in furnishings which includes free-standing counters and seating elements, forming pathways that guide clients to the various work stations.

Key to Miriam Barrio’s design was the restoration of the Catalan vault ceiling and its decorative floral motifs. These elements not only served as a chromatic inspiration for the project but also infused the renovated space with a profound sense of historical richness. Suspended light fittings, custom-made for the project, highlight the restored ceilings and illuminate the work areas below; the shapely luminaires are part of the project’s masterful lighting design, which straddles functionality and theatricality, providing both ambient and task lighting. Made of metal and painted black, they were crafted in collaboration with a local blacksmith, as were the oval-shaped mirrors and the 'colour bar' wall-mounted cabinet. Lamps by a local ceramist further underscore the project’s artisanal sensibility, a quality that renders the salon both welcoming and inspiring.