Striking Before + After: Copal Clean Beauty in Madison, Connecticut

When Copal Clean Beauty reached out about transforming their brand new location a few minutes outside of downtown Madison, Connecticut, to say I was thrilled is an understatement. This established beauty joint already had such great energy and a strong holistic core around everything they do.

Needless to say, the opportunity to transform a cold, empty retail space into the founder’s vision of “palm springs meets tulum vibes” is a designer’s dream. Heck yes, all day, please and thank you.

Have a look at where we began

And here’s where we are now!!

Hot damn, how pretty is that?! A contractor-grade yellow-cream paint was the primary culprit holding this space back—it just felt like a cold, soulless, blank canvas! Copal’s founder, the lovely Jennie Fresa, came to the table seeking a hip, sophisticated sanctuary with a modern – midcentury – boho chic motif.

From the get-go (aka our initial in-person design consultation), I took note of the potential, pros and probs to solve in three primary spaces of this soon-to-be spa and apothecary:  

Pros:

  • Hardwood floors
  • Wainscoting
  • French doors
  • Windows galore
  • Vast entry area
  • Fab furnishings from old shop to repurpose

Probs to solve:

  • Additional merch space for clients to browse and touch beauty products
  • Full privacy and comfortable flow for two clients in one treatment room
  • Comfortable flow for two clients and two estheticians in brow bar 
  • Define a distinct and attractive client waiting area
  • Update dated light fixtures and floor tile affordably
  • Avoid use of central fluorescent lighting 

BEHIND THE SCENES: catch a glimpse of zee design boards!

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

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PAINT ALL DAY ERRYDAY

Highlighting the positive elements was critical and the easiest way to start here was paint, paint, paint! The shop’s frontside beams with natural light, although it quickly thins out toward the back even with all of those interior windows. To remedy said darkness, a vast majority of the walls were painted a bright, gallery wall white from top to bottom.

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

A soothing peachy-pink hue covers both walls and wainscoting in the foyer, defining a precious waiting area within the layout of the open floor plan. Painting the wannabe travertine tile with a mod-boho tile stencil in a bold yet grounding black and white pattern gives the entire space a brand new (and damn sexy) lease on life. Quite possibly our favorite aspect of the entire project!! 

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

Continuing into the retail area, repurposed furnishings were just not enough to capture the entire collection of clean beauty offerings. Hence, paint played yet another crucial role in fashioning up much-needed, wall-mounted merchandise space. A set of three rounded color blocks—lined up intentionally with the molding width below—each feature a set of floating shelves for a snazzy display. These colorful nooks emphasize form and function while calling out to the touch of tropical glam this shop’s got going on.

In the Brow Bar suite, a custom designed color-blocking adds an injection of color alongside bright white walls providing a welcome shine for a meticulous esthetician’s work. Ladies who love their brows know eggggsactly what I mean. 

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

Considering the moodier nature of the spa treatment rooms, an adventurous rosy hue adds drama and depth to this dimly-lit space, an immediate invitation for relaxation and calm.

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

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THE FINE DETAILS

The drama of the spa treatment room is heightened by the magnificently monochromatic, merlot-colored velvet curtain panels that divide the space in two. What’s even more fun was utilizing the space in-between where the curtain tracks spread out for the doorway. Why not have supes chill Buddha sculpture welcoming you, amirite?!

The same sumptuous burgundy curtains were used to split up a client’s path to the bold bagño and a cozy area for employees to rest. The view of that velvet from afar … I die.  

Updating the treatment room’s doorway to a right out-swing (versus left in-swing)—as well as buying a new french door to match—made this privacy possible and retained cohesiveness throughout the shop. 

Likewise, to obtain a comfortable flow in the brow bar, a left in-swing french door was removed entirely and placed on a second treatment room replacing a second bland, hollow door. A whimsical wallpaper and live plant display is a fun surprise that balances the color-blocking opposite of it and fills an empty space with visual appeal. Guaranteed to hook any hoarderculturalist. 🌿

Two spectacular six-globe chandeliers illuminated the retail space sumthin’ supreme and created the solution for never having to turn on thee not-so-adored fluorescent lighting. The set of chandeliers and that effin gorgeously green geometric wallpaper grab your attention from the very moment you walk through the front door.

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

THE COLLABORATION

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it a million times again—I love how home design collaborations are always different and unique! Fact: it keeps me on my toes and my job interesting and fun.

In this case, Jennie was upfront about her vision, budget, available furnishings, and ready to DIY anything her and hubby could muster. A few ways my client significantly saved on spending was by repurposing every single fab furnishing from the former location; taking on a majority of the painting (color-blocking aside); and ordering all of the approved purchases. Whether you’re ready to be hands-on or hands-off, Imma be here to work with you, boo.

And I just gotta say, nottabad transformation for forty-five days! 💯 If you’re local, I encourage you to learn more about the holistic approach at Copal Clean Beauty and go say hi to the fabulous woman behind it all.

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

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Paint Colors

All colors are Benjamin Moore

Foyer: Santa Rosa
Foyer: Onyx + Super White (floor tile)
Retail Area: Super White
Retail Area: Santa Rosa (color-blocking)
Brow Bar Suite: Super White
Brow Bar Suite: Outer Banks + Copper Kettle (color-blocking)
Treatment Room: Rosy Peach
Bold Bagño: Topaz

Before + After | Copal Clean Beauty | Madison, CT | Jennie Fresa | In-Person Design Consultation | Jessica Brigham | JessicaBrigham.com

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One Comment

  1. Absolutely INCREDIBLE transformation!!!!

    Another Job.Well.Done!!!

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