The design brief for Recess in Los Angeles was very clear: create a green nail salon. “The focus was that all construction and product were to be sustainable for the client to apply for LEED certification,” says designer Christopher Grubb, principal of Arch-Interiors Design Group in Beverly Hills. “With the name Recess, it was to be playful in the interior elements used, but relaxing, comfortable, and sophisticated. There’s an architectural feeling to the space with interesting shapes and elements. It’s clean and organized.”

Throughout the retail area, manicure/pedicure room, and express nails area, there’s laminate on all millwork to “provide a natural wood feeling.” Orange, green, and blue hues pop against white CaesarStone countertops, while glass beaded wallcoverings, Swarovski chandeliers, glass and marble mosaic tile behind the reclaimed schoolyard rinse sink, and non-VOC silver resin floors add a bit of sparkle and glamour. And textures are subtle: sheers dividing the space are tied back by a multicolored fabric, chair upholstery is done in a greenish blue jigsaw puzzle design, and a fun “hopscotch” pattern of Flor tiles greets guests. The standout? The center island skin bar, designed to be multifunctional since it acts as a bar when the owner hosts events in the space.

“The biggest challenge was addressing the factors required for LEED certification with an older brick building,” Grubb says, explaining that solutions include skylights for natural light and photocell lighting, which shuts off when ambient light hits a certain level, FSC-certified wood, and efficient air conditioning systems.