Virtual Tour of Daybreak Salon & Spa, Wyandotte
Daybreak Salon & Spa is a unique renovation and remodel; it is the result of a passionate, creative vision and 44 years of business acumen that culminated in the Rushlow family’s transformation of a 100 year old bank into a premiere salon & spa. Allow us to introduce you to this unique renovation and remodel that is Daybreak Salon & Spa, Wyandotte.
Wyandotte, Michigan is a charming, waterfront downtown and thoroughfare for downriver commuters traveling to and from Detroit. And now Daybreak offers its busy target audience the only full service salon & spa along the well-traveled route.
Downtown Wyandotte has been transformed by Daybreak Salon & Spa’s renovation of an iconic corner in the center of its bustling business district. Clients will recall the premiere corner as home for financial institutions over the past century and will be surprised at its inspired transformation that preserves elements of its history while forecasting a profitable future.
Daybreak visually “owns” this street corner with newly illuminated signage accenting the former bank’s visage, custom planters and a block long stretch of massive retail-lined windows piquing the curiosity of commuting cars and sidewalk shoppers.
Guests are welcomed to Daybreak via one of two glass enclosed vestibules convenient to adjacent street parking on two sides of the sidewalk to waterfront building.
The Biddle Avenue entrance boasts a lighted alcove niche window featuring a weekly changing display of AVEDA products. The Elm Avenue entrance allows guests to enter at the intersection of the salon and spa, affording privacy and ease of egress following spa services.
Once inside the salon, guests are treated to a complete wall to wall renovation of the well-known bank. The dated, nondescript, utilitarian interior has been replaced with rich, warm sophisticated tones of gray and cream, punctuated by accents of deep purple and orchid. Tired linoleum has been removed and replaced with artfully arranged, easy to maintain ceramic tile mimicking planks of pickled, distressed oak. The dramatic flooring visually leads guests through the energetic salon and styling area.
Guests are immediately immersed in the AVEDA experience with eight illuminated retail displays artfully arranged to anticipate clients’ skin, body and hair care needs. This product phalanx introduces guests to the retail products and conveniently allows front desk staff to educate them before and after services.
The former bank tellers’ expansive thirty foot counter has been demolished and replaced by six reclaimed and repurposed black steel bank teller cabinets. While original to the bank, they’ve been transformed into a different kind of revenue generating fixture. These teller cabinets now form a clean, modern front desk and provide plentiful utility and secure storage with locking drawers and sliding doors to conceal supplies, computer hardware, cash drawers and point of sale equipment. The carts have been further renovated with industrial castors to permit future floorpan flexibility. This “bank” of reclaimed granite-topped teller carts provides a slick, cool and clean work surface at which guests are easily checked in and out while treated to product testers and samples on its roomy surface. A matching lineup of cabinets flank the back wall upon which seasonal product displays are highlighted.
The styling floor continues its nod to the industrial heritage of Wyandotte, its banking history and its commitment to Daybreak’s staff and clients today. Flexibly functional, the 12 custom wrought styling stations are a unique adaptation of powder-coated black steel, generously sized framed mirrors, reclaimed distressed oak from the floors of semi-truck trailer beds and metal mesh shelving for clients belongings. But perhaps their most ingenious twist is their industrial castors and electrical power sourced from the ceiling. These massive rolling stations can be adapted, reconfigured and powered to accommodate weekly education for 50 plus staff members, private bridal parties or the changing seasons and shifting sunlight streaming through the 12, 7 x 8 foot windows lining Elm Avenue. They can be arranged shot-gun style, in a welcoming U-shape or pushed to the perimeter walls to allow theatre seating for meetings. Each station is also equipped with a repurposed locking, rolling teller cabinet to secure tools, serve as additional workspace and move with any newly configured layout. This ingenious repurposing of existing bank furnishings and equipment is repeated throughout the salon and spa, saving money and embracing the earth friendly initiatives of AVEDA.
Black and chrome styling chairs and a custom, reclaimed oak topped color processing area and coordinating makeup bar complement the styling stations and rotate according to the required floor plan.
Dated and dingy vertical blinds were removed from the enormous windows and deliberately left uncovered to reveal a bustling salon staff and colorful retail displays to passing motorists and pedestrians. Beneath the bright windows a reception area is softened by a grouping of comfortable, dove gray, upholstered chairs with velvet back pillows and small barrel tables for literature, fresh orchids and beverages.
Adjacent to the makeup bar, the bank’s former safe deposit vaults have been polished and preserved to house retail back stock and create a curious conversation piece. The bright white and black shampoo bowls and color station balance the layout across the room and its sleek black granite and cabinets conceal the inner workings and inventory from clients. Guests are treated to front row seats of the patrons on a downtown sidewalk and passing traffic from any vantage.
Just beyond the sophisticated, creative, kinetic buzz of the Daybreak Salon lies the serene and tranquil retreat of the Daybreak Spa, sealed off by a floor to ceiling, sound proof glass “wall” and door through which clients’ curiosities are piqued as they observe services on the other side.
A nine foot waterfall greets spa guests who relax in sumptuous gray and cream chairs that mimic the salon’s palette. But the real focal point of Daybreak Spa is the renovated, three room steel bank vault that was reborn as massage suites. The enormous steel vault door is swung open and secured to allow access to the two massage suites. Each suite is custom lit and ventilated to provide a comfortable atmosphere conducive to massage. Steel walls have been draped with panels of gray and cream sound softening fabric and repurposed teller cabinets now house hot stones, towels, oils and other service accoutrement. Custom rolling barn doors provide guest privacy while addressing local building codes. The larger of the suites is fitted with two massage tables for couples massage. Entering the vault is a memorable and unique experience that exemplifies the creative vision of this owner’s renovation and remodel.
Throughout the spa guests are embraced in a tranquil retreat with custom dimmed lighting, dedicated music and sound cancelling systems that preserve and protect the relaxing atmosphere. Industrial grade bankers gray carpet squares were removed from former offices and replaced in the spa area softening foot traffic, warming the space visually and ultimately avoiding a landfill. White enameled furnishings pop against soothing gray walls and extend the retail product displays to the spa area. An additional safe deposit vault is available in the walk in coat closet to secure guests belongings during services.
Former banking offices have been reconfigured into an esthetician suite, three private nail service suites and an office. Each of which maintains the tranquil palette and aesthetic of the salon and spa without a trace of their former occupants’ spreadsheets and slide rules. The esthetician and nail suites have been renovated to include custom vanities and sinks with ample storage for staff and client convenience.
Big, bold windows continue to wrap around the perimeter rooms facing the Detroit River and giving a unique opportunity to enjoy the waterfront during services. Pedicure stations have been elevated to provide an unobscured view to the river, passing freighters and wildlife. Each of the two, private waterfront suites also host manicure stations encouraging packaged services and add ons. Unique to the metro Detroit area, these reclaimed bankers offices are quickly becoming the most sought after pedicure spot in the area.
While privacy is paramount, Daybreak’s commitment to the flexible adaptation of client needs continues into the spa area with four manicure stations that can be moved according to spa party size or demand.
The Daybreak Spa hums with clients enjoying AVEDA tea, warm neck wraps, waterfront pedicure suites perfect for private parties, a uniquely transformed massage vault and the expert services of a committed staff.
From bustling sidewalks to serene waterfront, Daybreak Salon & Spa is a beautifully renovated and uniquely remodeled building that hopes to serve clients for the next 100 years in the charming city of Wyandotte, Michigan.
Daybreak’s Favorite Design Features That Make Us
Unique in Our Market:
- The renovated, three room steel bank vault that was reborn as massage suites. The enormous steel vault door is swung open and secured to allow access to the two massage suites. Each suite is custom lit and ventilated to provide a comfortable atmosphere conducive to massage. Steel walls have been draped with panels of gray and cream sound softening fabric and repurposed teller cabinets now house hot stones, towels, oils and other service accoutrement. Custom rolling barn doors provide guest privacy while addressing local building codes. The larger of the suites is fitted with two massage tables for couples massage. Entering the vault is a memorable and unique experience that exemplifies the creative vision of this owner’s renovation and remodel.
- Modular styling and service stations: Flexibly functional, the 12 custom wrought styling stations are a unique adaptation of powder-coated black steel, generously sized framed mirrors, reclaimed distressed oak from the floors of former semi-truck trailer beds and metal mesh shelving for clients belongings. But perhaps their most ingenious twist is their industrial castors and electrical power sourced from the ceiling. These massive rolling stations can be adapted, reconfigured and powered to accommodate weekly education for 50 plus staff members, private bridal parties or the changing seasons and shifting sunlight streaming through the 12, 7 x 8 foot windows lining Elm Avenue. They can be arranged shot-gun style, in a welcoming U-shape or pushed to the perimeter walls to allow theatre seating for meetings. Each station is also equipped with a repurposed locking, rolling teller cabinet to secure tools and serve as additional workspace and move with any newly configured layout. This ingenious repurposing of existing bank furnishings and equipment is repeated throughout the salon and spa, saving money and embracing the earth friendly initiatives of AVEDA.
- Just beyond the sophisticated, creative, kinetic buzz of the Daybreak Salon lies the serene and tranquil retreat of the Daybreak Spa, sealed off by a floor to ceiling, sound proof glass “wall” and door through which clients’ curiosities are piqued as they observe services on the other side.
Biggest Design Challenge
While it is easy to conceive and build a salon from the ground up, a far greater challenge is endured when preserving an existing space, repurposing and reclaiming materials and furnishings like the teller carts, safety deposit boxes and flooring and reconfiguring unique assets like the immovable vault to an even more impressive new purpose. The vision to transform a bank into a workable salon and spa, maximizing its inherent utility and creating a unique environment was our greatest challenge which was met and conquered beyond our dreams.