Dezeen Magazine

Color Camp by J Byron-H

J Byron-H designs minimalist nail bar in Los Angeles

American architect J Byron-H has created a decluttered nail salon in Los Angeles with industrial-style surfaces and pops of blue.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

J Byron-H teamed up with branding agency Weekday Studio to create Color Camp, a pared-down nail salon in LA's trendy Fairfax District.

It is located on Beverly Boulevard, alongside hip coffee shops, streetwear clothing stores, and Pugh + Scarpa's Cherokee lofts.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

The 675-square-foot (62.7-square-metre) nail salon takes an anti-acrylic stance, using only polish and a Japanese-style "super gel" that's thicker but more flexible.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

The entire space is bright white, with lofted tropical plants and concrete flooring. In the back of the salon is an Instagram-worthy pink gradient wall.

With the design, J Byron-H wanted to "evoke a sense of playful discovery and avoid the predictable, cluttered environment often associated with contemporary nail salons".

Color Camp by J-Byron H

The space is laid out like a cafe with a high-top counter, which forms the nail bar, where customers select their polish from options displayed behind.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

"The primary organisational element of the space is the manicure bar: a long, slender, counter height table where guests and artists can choose to sit or stand," the architect said.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

Four tables made from blackened steel are positioned across from the bar, jutting out from the wall.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

"One of the challenges with this project was to make an extremely narrow existing interior space feel open and inviting without losing the functionality and efficiency of a nail salon," said J Byron-H.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

The cobalt blue chairs and bar stools were designed in collaboration with local furniture designer Chris Earl. Other softer hues, like sky blue and lavender, offset the starkness of the interior.

Color Camp by J-Byron H

Black fixtures such as welded front door handles, hanging rope lights, a bathroom faucet and a soap dispenser also provide accents throughout.

Photography by Jennifer Chong.

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Color Camp by J Byron-H
Color Camp by J Byron-H
Color Camp by J Byron-H
Color Camp by J-Byron H
Color Camp by J-Byron H