Aquamarine Nail Salon

The client sought to create a tranquil nail salon inspired by the serene beaches, sunny skies, and vibrant waters of a vacation resort, aiming to offer patrons a soothing escape from the city’s bustle. Located in Chicago’s South Loop, Aquamarine Nails occupies a well-trafficked corner in a space formerly used as a dry cleaner providing manicure and pedicure services.

The layout presented unique challenges, particularly a narrow extension along the street frontage, which was repurposed as a welcoming waiting area. The ceiling, cluttered with mechanical ducts and electrical conduits, was painted black to reduce visual noise. Custom-designed lighting “clouds” were added to define distinct areas within the salon and enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

The beach-inspired theme is further reinforced by accent walls behind the reception desk and pedicure chairs. Horizontal stripes in shades of blue, cool gray, and pink create an abstracted ocean sunset, adding depth and calm to these focal areas.

Beyond selecting paint colors, we assisted in choosing flooring, lighting, and furniture, crafting a cohesive, inviting space. We also designed a custom logo with a unique font, featuring modified “A”s to resemble painted fingertips, tying the salon’s branding to its serene, beach-inspired concept.