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Mirrors and golden frames create a sense of care and deep comfort for beauty salon in Ukraine
Ukraine Architecture News - May 22, 2025 - 13:20 547 views
Mirrors and golden frames have created "a sense of care and deep comfort" for a beauty salon in Brovary, Ukraine.
Named By magic Krona, the 110-square-metre salon was designed by Kyiv-based firm interior design firm Vilchinskaya Design Bureau.
The studio was given a one-story building. Reconfiguring it was one of the most difficult and important choices. The client asked for the addition of a second story, and the ceilings were 4.5 meters high. This height was a problem because each floor's height was lowered to 2.1 meters once the second story was built.
The studio made the decision to only partially build the second floor in order to maximize the available space.
The least used functional elements were positioned in these "lowered" zones, which included the staff area, pedicure area, hair-washing station, and restroom. Working with such a high ceiling height presented additional lighting and ventilation challenges.
The studio needed to come up with solutions that would be both professional and space-efficient. The customer also wanted to use onyx, which was one of the main graphic components, according to Vilchinskaya Design Bureau.
The salon's owner was concerned to use materials that could tolerate prolonged exposure to colors and chemicals because she had already established other profitable businesses.
Because of this, the design team decided to use porcelain stoneware as the second main material for countertops and furniture facades. The studio used warm brass in places away from dampness and high traffic to counterbalance its substantial presence.
The rounded staircase with its flowing, smooth contours became the focal point of the room. The entire wall and the second-story railings were covered in mirrors since the design team intended it to be a photo zone. This method removed extraneous visual noise and dramatically lightened the structure.
The studio decided on a light gray color for the walls and flooring with a gentle matte texture to keep the onyx in the spotlight without overpowering the environment. Based on the studio's ideas, the design team also created and custom-made wooden shelving with rhythmic facades.
Every lighting fixture is professionally applied. The studio worked with SLV, a German company, and Ukrainian technical lighting producers. The studio's objective was to establish a deeply comfortable and caring environment so that visitors could sense our attention without using words, as the studio explained.
"All surfaces that clients come into contact with are made of natural materials," the team continued.
"We carefully curated the perspectives from which guests experience the space, ensuring they remain free from unnecessary lines and intersections. This approach fosters a sense of order and relaxation."
"Even the leg of the large manicure table is made of transparent glass, preserving the lightness of the design," Vilchinskaya Design Bureau added.
The project was carried out exactly as planned, with no deviations. The inclusion of fabric ceiling structures was the only modification made during deployment. Since there was initially only white fabric available, the studio had to custom-dye the cloth to match the walls in order to get the required shape and outcome.
The team stated that "the project was built during wartime—amid power outages and missile attacks. But faith in the future, in beauty, and in kindness never stopped our dreams."
Ground floor plan
Mezzanine floor plan
Project facts
Project name: By magic Krona
Design: Vilchinskaya Design Bureau (Anastasiia Vilchynska, Valeriia Konovalenko)
Location: Brovary, Ukraine.
Sector: Beauty salon
Square: 110 m² / 1184 ft²
Year: 2024
All images © Andrey Avdeenko.
All drawings © Vilchinskaya Design Bureau.
