Design firm: Proem Studio, Los Angeles

The details: Tasked with designing the facial spa’s first location in Pasadena, California, Proem Studio embraced a warm, modern sensibility with a color palette that injects deep burgundy and metallic pewter into the Cheeks & Co. branding. Located in a former bookstore, the firm’s goal was to create separate spaces out of the open floorplan for a retail and reception area, five treatment rooms, a vanity station, bathroom, and an employee breakroom and kitchen. “It needed to be clean and dramatic but simple enough so the client was the focus,” says Proem cofounder Marie Trohman. Balanced by a dark ceiling, sunlight bathes the space in the late afternoon, “and brings a sense of intimacy to the semiprivate rooms,” she says. “The majority of the materials are fairly neutral with only drama above.” Inspired by gold Roman mosaics and mirrored, freeform Karl Springer pieces, the sculptural front desk is a highlight. It’s “seen from the street and a natural gathering spot,” Trohman says, “so we knew it had to be special.”

This article originally appeared in HD’s  August 2020 issue.