Give your home the spa treatment by creating a room for grooming. A non-commercial home salon can be a personal oasis where one can be pampered without leaving the house.

As individualized as each person's hairstyle, a home salon should also have its own sense of style, says Los Angeles-based stylist and WEN hair care product developer Chaz Dean.

"I have a natural philosophy and holistic approach to life, and believe that should be reflected in how you take care of yourself," Dean says. "When people are able to have a stylist come into their home as part of their beauty regimen, people don't have to rush, are more comfortable and it can truly be a time to relax and recharge yourself."

Dean has been a stylist for more than 20 years and is known for his celebrity clientele. His Hollywood studio, which bears his name, has a cozy, contemporary charm located within three renovated 1920s Craftsman bungalows, all surrounded by an ivy-covered fence. Dean understands his studio location's allure, as these homey structures emulate a tranquil energy.

"Everyone deserves to be pampered," he says. "Having a home salon isn't just for celebrities."

From older individuals who enjoy the creature comforts of home to working professionals who want to cut down on their drive-time to get a haircut, different demographics are seeing the beauty of creating a salon in the home. But before outfitting a home salon, Dean says to have a plan in place, otherwise there is the potential for the space to become a cosmetological catch-all.

"Know what beauty regimens you want to have done in your home salon and start there," Dean says. "Whether it's a regularly-scheduled haircut or manicure, have the space outfitted for your specific needs."

A home salon doesn't have to be large to be functional, but you need to find a space to cosmetically claim as your own. Whether it's a partitioned portion of the laundry room, an under-used spare bathroom or an addition to the master-suite, a home salon should feel light and bright, says Dean.

"Natural sunlight is conducive to a salon space, especially when dealing with hair color and makeup," he says. "When the weather is beautiful outside, I also love to invite that into the salon by opening windows for fresh air."

If you don't have access to a window or natural light, install both overhead and task lighting fixtures to illuminate the space, as well as ventilation fans. A mirror is also a must, and often a fully-lit version is part of any salon station.

It's also a bright idea to put time into selecting the proper light bulbs for home salon fixtures. Based on the color rendering index (or CRI), look for bulbs that have CRI ratings of 75, or better. With daylight rated at 100 CRI, some fluorescent lights might only score a 50 CRI. However, compact fluorescents, color corrected fluorescent tubes, incandescent and halogen bulbs can all have CRI ratings that are 75 and greater.

A salon's style starts from the ground up and Dean prefers hardwoods underfoot. "Hardwood floors give the space a natural feel and, as a stylist, they are more forgiving to stand on than ceramic or stone tiles," he says. "Regardless of what is on the floor, it should not include a rug or carpeting, as you need easy cleanup in a salon."

A watershed moment of inspiration can also be found in a home salon's sink or cleansing basin. For a one-stop sitting, invest in a single barber-style chair that will recline for a wash into a basin on which the neck can rest, and then will spin around and sit up-right for a styling.

"In my first studio in Bel Air, I bought gently used equipment from a failed salon," Dean says. "If people are installing a personal home salon, check on-line for commercial salons that are going out-of-business and selling their wares."

Dean says the upholstery in a chair is an easy cosmetic upgrade, but make sure the hydraulics - - for raising and lowering the chair - - are sound before purchasing. "You want a treated fabric that doesn't have a nap, so cut hair and stains don't stick to the chair," he says. "Again, you want easy cleanup."

Personal style can make a statement in the station of your home salon. Whether it's contemporary or classic in style, a home salon station can mimic the curves of French Provincial or the straight lines of the modern movement. Regardless of the architectural style of your home salon station, it should include a lighted mirror and storage for towels and beauty products. "You want your salon to be clean and organized," Dean says. "If it's not, the space can move from a serene environment into a stressful one."

Although Dean doesn't have a personal home salon within his house, he's considering building one for his own use. "There's the saying that beauty is only skin-deep, but true beauty comes from within and from being at peace," he says. "Comfort is key when talking about a home salon and you want to invite peace and tranquility into the space."

Source:

A Zen-like Zone -- ChazDean.com

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You don't need an attached acreage to enjoy the honest design of farm living. While the mauve ruffles and dusty blue "duck-in-bonnet" motifs of the 1980s country craze are out, today's true farmhouse details also can be at home in suburbia or a city loft.

The modern take on classic country design creates a homey feel no matter where you live, says Joanna Gaines, co-owner with husband Chip Gaines of their Waco, Texas-based Magnolia Homes, and co-star of HGTV's "Fixer Upper."

"People are so busy in their lives, they crave simplicity and calm when they come home at the end of a frantic day," she says. "Chip and I see the value in taking something old and making it new again, whether we're repurposing or restoring it."

Modern farmhouse design begins with solid craftsmanship, whether it requires rehabbing an old house or just bringing a bit of "old soul" into a newly constructed home. "The details in older homes are perfectly imperfect," Chip says. "These homes are meant to be lived in and have a character about them that only time can give."

Open Spaces

Removing interior walls to achieve an open floor plan is often the first step toward creating a modern farmhouse aesthetic. "You want the energy to flow in a home," Joanna says. "A lot of walled-off rooms really affects the functionality of a space -- and not in a good way."

Chip and Joanna bought their family's 1895 Victorian-era farmhouse, located on 40 acres outside of Waco, in 2012. The Gaineses reconfigured the walls within the original 1,800-square-foot home to highlight the kitchen as the workhorse of their house.

The cornerstone of modern farmhouse design is to focus on the kitchen and its connected living and dining areas, but Chip warns against being too eager to "take down those walls."

"As much as we promote DIY (do-it-yourself) projects, removing walls requires a reputable professional," he says. "A respected contractor will know whether a wall is load-bearing before removing it, because the last thing you want is to compromise the structural integrity of your home."

Light, Bright and White Design

After achieving an open floor plan, Joanna builds on a clean color palette by painting walls white or a neutral color. "Interest is created in a home by using natural materials," she says. "I love painting the walls' wood paneling or shiplap white and then layering wood, stone, metal and pops of color on top of that blank canvas."

White ceilings with stained wooden beams, open shelving cabinetry and wide-plank wood flooring are all at home in a modern farmhouse. Bright and airy interiors invite natural light into a space through windows. A bright tip is to install vintage light fixtures -- whether it's over the kitchen table or the bathroom tub -- to illuminate and accentuate this simple, yet sophisticated style.

The Gaines' farmhouse was originally a two-bedroom home with an unfinished attic. After its renovation, the home's square-footage doubled by finishing the upstairs with a family room, guest bedroom and craft room. A master bedroom was added onto the house, and Joanna incorporated old doors and fixtures while using salvaged molding and trim pieces to preserve the architectural integrity and interest in the home.

But Chip cautions against having the interior of the house too monochromatic. "An operating room is also light, bright and white, but we're not going for a sterile environment," he says. "Don't be afraid to incorporate rustic touches or distressed finishes into your home, because that's what gives it character and warmth."

While the design foundation of the farmhouse is neutral tones, Joanna likes to accessorize with the colorful dishes she displays or textiles she uses. A simple needlepoint sampler, colorful antique quilt or rustic folk art piece can personalize the space and add to a farm fresh vibe.

Bringing the Outside Inside

The overall modern farmhouse style can be viewed as uncluttered and contemporary. But by incorporating natural elements into an otherwise austere atmosphere -- such as a wooden butcher-block countertop, metal basketry and stone fireplace -- a warm, intimate farmhouse feeling can be achieved.

The Gaineses look to nature for design inspiration. If possible, keep windows bare or use light and airy window treatments so outdoor views are unobstructed. French doors can replace windows that lead to an outside deck, patio or porch.

"Use what you have and only have what you use" is the modern farmhouse mantra. Farmhouses were historically constructed without waste, so reclaimed wood can be used to build a kitchen island, or an old dresser can be converted into a freestanding bathroom vanity.

"It's the tiny details that add charm and personality to a home," Joanna says. "And don't forget the flowers -- whether you pick them up at a grocery store or just pick them from the garden outside your home."

Farm Out

For design inspiration, go to MagnoliaHomes.net. Click "Shop" to purchase items from Magnolia Market or "Fixer Upper" to view design projects.

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Hone your home to have a street-smart look.

Creating curb appeal is a wise investment that often requires brains and brawn, but not necessarily a big budget, says Jeffrey Fick of Fick Bros. in Baltimore. Named the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 2014 Contractor of the Year award winner for residential exteriors, Fick Bros. is a century-old company spanning four generations.

"With the new year, people are making personal resolutions to look better. Why wouldn't you do the same for your home?" he says. "Spring is right around the corner, and freshening up the front of the home is in the air."

Fick encourages homeowners to try and look at their home from the street with new eyes. "It doesn't matter if your home's worth is $50,000 or $500,000, how it looks from the street certainly affects the property's value," he says. "You don't have to wait to sell it to spruce it up."

Front Door

The entryway to your home creates a first impression. The front door pulls double duty. It welcomes guests, yet protects a household from intruders. Fick says a fresh coat of paint on the front door works wonders for the front facade.

Your home design can take a turn for the better when you get a grip on the door's hardware, too. A decorative exterior handset will open the door to a home's design, and swapping out an old doorknob for a new one can make for a grand entrance. The doorknob is, in turn, both functional and ornamental.

But, if the welcome has been worn out on your home's front door, it might be time for an upgrade. Today's doors are becoming more warp-resistant, energy-efficient and secure. Fick says to take cues from the existing door's size and style for an appropriate replacement. Fiberglass doors with a foam core are one of the most popular choices when replacing an old front door, with costs starting under $1,000.

Ring in Spring

When at the front door, a visitor's first point of contact is the doorbell or knocker, so give the uninspired buzzer the ding-dong ditch. One of the most overlooked components to a front door's decor, a decorative doorbell ringer or doorknocker can be an inexpensive upgrade to the front of a home, starting under $100. A doorbell or doorknocker is also a small but mighty motif foreshadowing a personal sense of style found inside the home.

Illuminating Style

Shed new light on the front of a home by creating a warm, inviting atmosphere with new light fixtures. Fick says swapping out old lighting is an easy fix, but it's important to choose fixtures that coordinate with the door's hardware and complement a home's architectural style. Light fixtures used outside should also be rated by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL Wet) to be safe when exposed to the elements.

Into the Gutters

While gutters and downspouts serve important functions, these elements are also architectural details that run the perimeter of the house. Whether constructed from aluminum or high-end metals such as copper and zinc, Fick says dented gutters falling off a house and full of tree debris never leave a good impression. Regardless of the material used, all installed gutters must be slightly pitched toward downspout holes, and water should be directed at least 2 feet away from the building's foundation.

Driving Design

Drive up a home's street appeal by focusing on the largest front entry -- the garage door. An attached garage door can constitute more than one-third of the front of a house, making it one of a home's most prominent curbside features.

A fresh coat of paint on the garage door -- coordinated with the front door design -- can pull the look of an entire home together.

If it's time for a new garage door, today's homeowner doesn't have to settle for builder's grade, standard raised-panel and windowless garage doors. Manufacturers are rolling out new garage door options that are more insulated and energy-efficient, with eye-catching styles accented by decorative hinges and pulls.

Hardscaping

Homeowners can pour creativity into their driveways and walkways. The first impression of a house can start at the driveway and sidewalk as visitors make their way to the front door.

Concrete, stone and pavers crack over time. Fick says repairing or replacing damaged areas is a matter of safety and shouldn't be considered a superficial fix. "Secure any loose bricks or pavers back into the walkway, and fix any deteriorating concrete as soon as you can," he says. "Not only are these imperfections an eyesore, they can be considered a tripping hazard, and there's nothing pretty about that."

As a homeowner, don't curb your enthusiasm for the outdoor aesthetic. The appearance of the front entrance sends a message about the homeowner. "You can make a big impact without spending big bucks: plant flowers and put down a fresh bag of mulch in beds around the front door," he says. "How a house looks from the street is a reflection of the homeowner who lives inside."

On Easy Street

-- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), NARI.org. To find a professional, click "Consumer," then drop down to "Find a Pro."

-- Fick Bros. Roofing and Exterior Remodeling Company, FickBros.com, 410-889-5525

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