Milk + honey’s founder, Alissa Bayer, sat down with Skin Inc. to discuss creating an interior that is a perfect marriage of function and beauty, with no compromises.
1. What is the aesthetic of your spa’s interior and the emotion you are looking to evoke from customers?
Our interior is minimal and modern with clean lines. We like to keep our decor to a minimum. A blank, white wall is something we embrace; it’s soothing to your nervous system and with the right complementary decor, can be very warm and cozy.
2. What inspired your design components and process?
Personally, I love clean lines and modern design. However, I love both the mid-century and contemporary design from the Nordic region and Scandinavia, such a beautiful marriage of function and beauty with no compromises! To me, the most beautiful things are not fancy or ornate. My favorite materials are raw steel and concrete, beautiful, warm unstained wood, natural stones and natural and breathable fabrics.
3. What is most important to remember when designing a successful spa space?
Milk + honey is about a full experience, not just providing a commodity massage or facial. Architecture and design are fundamental to our brand. We utilize architecture to enhance the spa experience. When you enter the spa, we want you to feel at ease immediately. The music is soft, there is a greeting of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils as soon as you open the door, and the lighting is warm and inviting. All of this is designed to further reduce stimulation to your nervous system and get you into relaxation mode.
Related: Making it Memorable—5 Ways to Brand Your Interior
4. Does your spa have any unique features or design aspects?
We want all of our spas to be unique yet relate to one another, think siblings not identical twins. It’s a specific style but also flexible. I’m highly involved in designing all of our locations, so even though we’ve been around 17 years, you can see they are related. It allows us to evolve, be creative and pay homage to the locale we are located in.
5. What advice would you give to someone who is designing their spa’s interior?
Your spa should be thoughtfully designed around your client’s experience, but also your team’s. Be sure to think carefully about what will enhance your employees’ experience working there, making it easy to navigate and ensuring the floor plan supports the flow of your business are essential. Opt for timeless materials that will hold up to wear and tear, and don’t overdo it. Select a few key areas to splurge, and don’t be afraid to use very basic materials in new ways.
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