STUDIO A SALON

The a-list salon

CREATING THE PERFECT SALON SPACE IS LIKE CHOREOGRAPHING A DANCE. IT NEEDS TO BE NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL BUT POWERFUL, MASTERFUL, AND SKILFULLY EXECUTED AND LEAVES EVERYONE INVOLVED FEELING STRONG, CONFIDENT, AND INSPIRED. FOR FORMER DANCER AND CURRENT OWNER AND FOUNDER OF STUDIO A SALON IN HOUSTON, DAVID ARMENDARIZ , CREATING HIS DREAM SPACE HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

David has been familiar with the setting of a hair salon since he was just nine years old, hanging out in his older sister’s hair salon. But he went his route into music and dance, becoming a successful professional dancer. But when he tragically tore his ACL, David was left to consider his next career.

David said: “I had a degree in music, and so I was toying with the idea of going back to university and getting my Masters, but I just didn’t want to lose that connection with people that I had had in my dance career.

“I had always loved hair and spending time in the salon, so I called my sister to ask for her advice about going into hair. She said, ‘You know, it’s not as easy as it looks! But give it a try. So, I enrolled at the Aveda Institute, and it immediately felt so natural to me.”

From there, David fully immersed himself in the industry, training with different brands and becoming an educator for brands like L’Oréal Professionnel and Hot Heads Extensions. He said: “I learned a lot about hairdressing and the industry through educating, but I got to a point where I just wanted my own space. I have to give my mom some credit here because she prayed a lot for me. But soon enough, I had my first studio space just across the street from where I lived. It was only 200 square feet, but it was just my niece, who was my assistant, and me. But even at that time, despite the space being small, I wanted to make sure every guest felt pampered, with a warm welcome, soft music, champagne, expensive bottled water, all the little things that add to the experience.”

It was only a matter of time until David was ready to expand. Luckily, a space opened up just next door in a cute 1930s bungalow. He said: “We were able to expand from just having two chairs to seven chairs.”

With a little more room came more space for creativity. David chose his furniture very carefully. He said: “When I was educating at a trade show in LA, I met the American team for Gamma & Bross I immediately fell in love with their designs, which were beautiful but simple and to the point.”

David kitted out his salon with Gamma & Bross furniture, which thrived in that environment for a decade until it was time for the next expansion. “After ten years in that space, we had outgrown it. My husband, who is now my business partner as well, and I wanted to take the salon to the next step. So, thankfully, a space became available in the neighborhood where we live. It was a 2,500 square foot space, so a lot bigger than we were used to, but we were ready for the challenge.”

However, the year was 2020. So, just as the salon plans were taking shape, well, you know what happened. David explained that this meant that the permit department was shut down for 90 days, meaning that it took two years to finally open the salon. But it was well worth the wait. 

David said: “This is our dream salon. While it is a commercial space, it is still situated in a little neighborhood. So, it feels like a home, just how we wanted it to feel. We collaborated with Brinn Miracle; our architect created the space so that it would flow nicely and feel open with beautiful cathedral ceilings in the middle room. And for finishing touches, we used long time client and friend Despina Scrutchin of Stone Fox Interiors, she helped with waiting area and accents such as pillows, furniture, and styling throughout salon.”

At Studio A, even the restrooms are noteworthy, with floor-to-ceiling rose-colored glass. The color scheme throughout the salon is pink, rose gold, and white, making it fun and playful yet luxurious and expensive looking.

Again, there was no question for David but to go with Gamma & Bross for the furniture. He explained: “This time, we decided to go with the premium collection, MG Bross 2021 collection. It is just gorgeous. As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of my dancing years. The mirrors were inspired by ballerina tutus. The trimmings are all gold to match the arches and details in the salon as well. We also had details like our beautiful terrazzo tile in the reception area. I just wanted it to feel like old-school glamour when you walked in.”

For all 12 stations, David has the gorgeous Gamma & Bross chairs with the Brass Queen Mary gold bases and the Ballet 2 Collar Island Stations. The shampoo bar also features Gamma & Bross shampoo bowls and shiatsu massage chairs – a much talked about feature.

The goal for David at Studio A is to elevate everyone, both artists and clients. He explained: “I don’t want it to be a place that is competitive or ego-filled. This has been a family business since the beginning. So, that is what our culture is based on, trust, loyalty, and growth. Every Friday, we have all staff members in for a team meeting where we share what we have each learned with one another, what our wins are, and what our goals are.

“For our clients, we want everyone to feel like they are ready to go to a red carpet and that they have been pampered like an A-list celebrity. That’s why we use the best brands, offer exceptional service, and create a curated look for each guest. No matter who comes in our door, we treat them all like celebrities, pampering them with wine, champagne, snacks, all sorts of things.”

Now that David has this fantastic space, the next goal is to get more involved in the industry and hold more educational events in the salon. In the process of setting up this salon, I have had to step away from industry events and educate, so now that we are all set up, the next goal is to get back into it. So far, we have had brands like Brazilian Blow Out holding classes, and it was great. I hope to host more classes and events like that it.”

It has been a few months of celebration at Studio A, having celebrated their grand opening, a pride event with over a hundred guests, as well as David’s birthday too.

Finally, I asked if David had any advice for salon owners who are looking to create their dream space. He said: “The first thing I would say is if you have the money, spend it. We always try to save money in the beginning, but as you go on, if you don’t do what you truly want from the beginning, you will look back to regret it. Save up to buy the furniture you want; hire a professional to help you make it right. Go with the things you want the first time, or else you will end up losing more money down the line when things aren’t exactly as you wished they were. Just go in, don’t be scared of spending. You know what they say; if you build it, they will come. And remember, take your time; Rome wasn’t built in a day. It took me 10 years to get to my dream salon. Start small, and then just keep building.” •

“WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THE PREMIUM COLLECTION, MG BROSS 2021 COLLECTION. IT IS JUST GORGEOUS. AS SOON AS I SAW IT, IT REMINDED ME OF MY DANCING YEARS. THE MIRRORS WERE INSPIRED BY BALLERINA TUTUS.”