In a world filled with synthetic products and artificial ingredients, there’s a growing desire to reconnect with the natural world and embrace the beauty found within it.
Design studio Nina+Co has embarked on a mission to encapsulate the essence of natural skincare by drawing inspiration from minerals and ingredients like clay, seaweed, and mushroom extracts for Big Beauty’s first store in Hackney, London.
Big Beauty’s windows feature panels of mycelium biotextile.
By blending the earthy tones and exuberant spirit of the 70s, this store creates a unique and captivating environment that indulges the senses.
Walking through the doors of this remarkable beauty store, you’ll immediately be struck by the harmonious blend of natural and reclaimed materials. Each element has been carefully chosen to reflect the store’s commitment to sustainability and minimal waste. From reclaimed gypsum to salvaged travertine, every material carries a story of revival and transformation.
The project features salvaged biomaterials. Expanded cork blocks are used to create storage units.
The furniture, bespoke and designed by the talented Nina, embodies the store’s ethos. It has been meticulously assembled with the purpose of preserving each component’s integrity, enabling easy repurposing beyond the store’s existence. By approaching design with a long-term perspective, the store demonstrates a dedication to creating objects of lasting value.
“The goal at Nina+Co is to bridge this gap, to show how beautiful and useful these materials and processes can be, and to work on changing attitudes towards waste and considering end-of-use.”
Nina+Co
As you explore the store, you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere that exudes tranquility and warmth. Raw stone edges and metal patination harmoniously blend with the earthy tones, creating a seamless connection between the interior and the natural world.
The space is adorned with soft, oversized, rounded forms, inviting visitors to relax and immerse themselves in the soothing ambiance.
Beyond its captivating aesthetics, this beauty store by Nina+Co offers a profound sense of provenance and connection to the natural components found within the skincare products it offers. By embracing minerals and ingredients like clay, seaweed, and mushroom extracts, the store pays homage to the Earth’s bountiful resources. This approach encourages a deeper appreciation for the power of nature and fosters a sense of nurturing for ourselves, each other, and the planet.
In a world dominated by mass production and disposable goods, how does the concept of repurposing and preserving the integrity of objects resonate with you?
Seaweed Biotextile
Mycelium and Reishi mushroom species were used to create plinths and legs for the displays.
Salvaged travertine stone was used for the central table with only minimal shaping to some edges.
Images: Anna Batchelor
