When you walk into Carol & Betty’s salon in Atlanta, Georgia, you are transported to a different time. Think Golden Girls meets Valley of the Dolls meets your grandma’s beauty shop, while adding several chic, modern touches. When owners Andrew and Daniel Keller-Bradshaw were designing their new salon, they knew just where to find their design inspiration – Andrew’s grandmothers, Carol and Betty. Both women were filled with “life, class, and sass”, and so is the design aesthetic of Carol & Betty’s. Go back in time with us on the virtual salon tour of Carol & Betty's!
Design Inspiration
The design of Carol & Betty’s is rooted in “evoking a feeling of a bygone era”, yet the salon’s design has a restraint that gives it an elevated panache that brings the salon’s retro influence to a new level. Carol & Betty’s “classic, carefree, yet sophisticated environment” provides a warm, fun, and welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to sit down, stay awhile, and soak up the hip, “Miami in the 1960’s” vibes.
From the reception to the salon floor – and even the bathroom – Carol & Betty’s unique design aesthetic threads through the entire space. Andrew’s signature color, “Carol & Betty’s Pink” can be seen painted on the cement floor throughout the salon, accented by rich jewel tones, soft neutrals, and plenty of unique finds from thrift and antique stores. This unique, uplifted blend of elegance and kitsch is highlighted in the salon’s décor – much of which is brought in by customers – including “thrift store art, tchotchkes, and memorabilia from their grandmothers”. While these vintage accents and personal touches support Andrew’s maximalist aesthetic, he says it also gives him the opportunity to have Carol & Betty’s be “a place where we can honor all of the amazing women that came before us”.
Finding the Perfect Equipment
When it came time to purchase their salon equipment, Andrew and Daniel were looking for a company that had a variety of options and colors that would fit their playful, retro design aesthetic.
“When shopping for salon equipment, I want options. I am a visuals person. I am looking for quality equipment that I can get in many different colors, fabrics and style choices. We chose Buy Rite because of their numerous options. We loved that they had items that fit our vintage aesthetic.”
After finding the perfect dryer chairs to meet their unique needs and aesthetic – the Collins 7820 Aluma Dryer Chair in Wedgewood– Andrew and Daniel found their ideal complementary styling chair and shampoo backwash unit in the Pibbs Latina Styling Chair and the Pibbs Latina Backwash Unit, both outfitted in color Oatmeal.
In the process of designing Carol & Betty’s, Andrew knew the importance of finding a company he could work with to find the perfect equipment to meet his salon’s needs.
“I want experts to help me make the right decision. Starting a salon can be scary and having someone help you make the right choices for your space is everything!”
Opening a new salon is a lot of work, but Andrew and Daniel used their sense of humor and patience to make their retro, playful, magazine-ready salon dreams come true. Want to go beyond the salon tour? Check out Carol & Betty’s website, Facebook, and Instagram!
