Back to the Future
A lifetime of experience and a little luck of the Irish come together in the award-winning design of Zolton’s Salon and Spa in Scottsdale, AZ.
For Robert and Margaret Quinn, accepting the 2014 North American Hairstyling Award for Salon Design of the Year was a culmination of their yearlong labor of love, and one that honored the journey they began over 30 years ago. Having been lucky enough to draw winning numbers in the visa lottery that enabled the Irish expats to start their life in Boston, they eventually made their way out West, settling in Scottsdale, AZ.
The husband and wife hairstylist and nail tech duo first opened the doors of Zolton’s in 2002. Though they’ve made minor interior changes over the years, they decided just last year to completely overhaul the salon. “I knew what I wanted having been in the industry for a long time. We put a lot into thinking this through and we didn’t use any designers,” says Robert Quinn. Inspired by the Sassoon-era style of his training days in London and his recent trips back during which he found salon interiors trending toward a much lighter and brighter design, Quinn had a strong vision for the look of Zolton’s. Working with Dan Arnett and Keith Burns of URI Construction helped bring it to life. “They were brilliant when it came to lighting and different finishes and textures and mirrors,” he says. The contemporary space is replete with white counters and workstations accented with modern silver finishings, mirrored walls and neon concept lighting. The mirrored ceiling is quadranted by juxtaposed steel and lights for that extra dose of wow factor.
The 5,500-square-foot salon is outfitted with 50 styling chairs, two nail stations, two pedicure stations and two treatment rooms. The Quinns’ next-generation approach also extends into their practice; they continue to distinguish themselves by moving toward the use of natural haircolor and vegan gel polish in their extensive nail menu. ✂ —Maureen Sheen