There's a new kid on East London's hair block and I'd recommend paying a visit soon, for it won't be long before this place is booked up months in advance.
The Drawing Room salon opened its doors earlier this year in a Georgian townhouse built in 1750, a stone's throw from Liverpool Street station and Spitalfields Market. The moment you step through the door you are transported to the antithesis of a big, buzzing, London salon. Deliciously cosy, The Drawing Room's vibe is intimate, personal, relaxed and luxurious. Dark wood floors, Farrow & Ball walls, antique mirrors and original fireplaces lend themselves perfectly to feeling as though you are having your hair done in your living room rather than in one of the busiest areas of London. I fell a little bit in love with a case of butterflies resting on the mantelpiece.
The Drawing Room is the brainchild of Oskar Pera. Trained in classic techniques in the longest established hairstyling academy in Seville, Spain, Oskar began his career in Palma De Mallorca, serving Europe’s high society. He moved to London in 2006, styling in leading Shoreditch salons, before working independently for fashion labels, magazines, models and artists, and private clients. Oskar was also the man behind the butterflies - a client of his taught him entomology and he's now planning a wall of 100 butterflies at the top of the stairs.
Having styled for brands including Dior, Kenzo, Chloé and Erdem, as well as creative editorial work for magazines such as Vogue and models and artists including Florence Welch, Cara Delevingne and Trudi Styler, I knew I was going to be in excellent hands when I visited last week for a colour update.
Although the salon specialises in a whole host of colour services, after discussing what I wanted with Oskar he recommended Balayage, a technique where colour is 'painted' on to the hair freehand for a more natural, sun-kissed and, most importantly, low maintenance. An hour and a bit, two lovely coffees, a stack of magazines and a chinwag later and Oskar's brother Hector stepped in for my cut and blow dry. Several customers may have come and gone in the time I was in the chair, but the Drawing Room atmosphere is such that I was in my own little lovely world, not disturbed by thumping music or noisy goings on. A truly blissful hair experience. I stepped out swishing my newly-blonde locks in the spring sunshine, smug in the knowledge that I've discovered a new London hair gem.
Being the generous soul I am though, I am not only telling you all about my new find but you lovely readers can also receive 30% of your first visit to The Drawing Room by quoting All in London when booking.
The Drawing Room salon, 41 Artillery Lane, London, E1 7LP.
Opening Hours: Tue- Wed: 10:00 - 20:00, Thu: 12:00 - 21:00, Fri: 10:00 - 19:00, Sat: 10:00 - 18:00, Sun: By appointment only
To book an appointment call 020 7247 6083 or email [email protected]
www.drawingroomsalon.com
Love Laurel x
