The Edinburgh Reporter October 2021

15
Getting a head start
The salon’s
beautiful interior
Bruntsfield nest
for Bowerbird
By LAURA VIDA
Stockbridge hair salon Wilson Allen
celebrate first year with expansion
STEVEN WILSON and Lisa Allen have been
snipping and colouring hair in their new
business since last July, but the champagne and
cookies seemed a little bit premature on the
actual date, as the shop has only been open for
around nine of those months.
The two hairdressers have around 35 years of
hairdressing experience between them, and
opened the doors at Wilson Allen in Stockbridge
just as they thought the first lockdown was over.
Attracting some of their old clients from their
earlier days, business was going well until
Christmas when, like everyone else, they had
to put the hairdryer down for a while.
But the new business owners used the time
during the second lockdown after New Year to
have the salon renovated according to their
own style.
They ripped out the interior of the shop and
everything was changed during a six week
project. With new chairs, backwashes and fresh
decor, the salon is now very inviting and
calming with its muted colours.
Steven said: “We had a lot of time to think
during both lockdowns. Lisa and I had worked
together for about 15 years. We formed a strong
bond and had often talked about opening a
business. This shop became available just after
the first lockdown and we decided the time was
right to take the big step.
“I think that having the time to clear our
heads was good and we were able to weigh
everything up. Running our own business really
works for Lisa and me.”
Lisa and Steven now both live locally in
Stockbridge and love both living and working in
the neighbourhood.
With Inverleith Park close by Lisa likes to run
there and enjoys eating out in one of the nearby
restaurants. Steven takes a textured approach to
cutting and colouring hair and particularly
enjoys creating a short textured cut for his
clients. He plays tennis and keeps fit by walking
his dog in the park. He loves cooking and has
conquered the art of sourdough.
The USP of their new hairdressing salon is
all about the people.
Steven explained: “For us it is all about buying
from people rather than a business. That was
reinforced during lockdown when I really
wanted to spend my money with people where I
felt part of something, on a journey with the
people who own the business.”
The hairdressing business has a superb
location in the heart of Stockbridge, in a very
visible spot. Their client base is made up of
clients already known to them and new ones
who are recommended to them. Recognising the
value of word of mouth referral the salon will
reward any referrals with a discount scheme.
Although Steven said that it is their aim to
recruit apprentices and juniors, but they are not
in a position to do so just yet. The salon offers
slightly longer appointment times at present
which allows the stylist to attend to everything
for an individual client before moving on to the
next. But their ambition is to grow and to train
juniors, imparting some of their own experience.
As well as the talent and enthusiasm for their
profession which they share, it is also important
to both Steven and Lisa that their clients receive
the best personal service.
Wilson Allen uses products by L’Oreal,
Olaplex, and the Italian brand Davines, a
sulphate free brand, which concentrates on
sustainability using natural active ingredients.
Now that the first year is firmly behind them
the business is set to grow. The vision is to
become just a little bigger with the signing of
two more hairdressers, Stephanie Fairlie Morgan
who joined at the end of September, and Rosy
Kenny, who has been a hairdresser for around 27
THE EDINBURGH office of
legal firm Balfour+Manson has
added two new associates – one
each to its Employment and
Commercial Property Teams.
Russell Eadie joins the firm as
a Senior Associate in the
Employment team. He arrives at
Balfour+Manson having worked
in employment law for over 25
years. A former Partner with
Morisons LLP, and having
recently worked at Dentons,
Balfour + Manson Commercial
years. Steph has a loyal following of gents clients
and won the L’Oréal colour trophy in 2012. She
is also a runner and trains for marathons.
Rosy specialises in lightening and bleaching
hair. She enjoys taking her two young boys for
walks in the city.
All four stylists trained at the same city centre
salon, and with similar experience behind them
promise sophistication in the styles and colours
they create for their clients.
Three of the team are L’Oréal colour specialists
and all are highly skilled in all other
hairdressing. The team is also committed to
supporting the Little Princess Trust charity,
cutting and preparing hair to be used in making
wigs for people who have hair loss.
Wilson Allen 49 Raeburn Place EH4 1HX
0131 315 3525
www.wilsonallenhair.com
Instagram /wilsonallenstockbridge
Balfour+Manson adds two to city legal team
Steven Wilson
and Lisa Allen
Law Partner Stephanie Zak
takes maternity leave, her role
will be covered by newly hired
Senior Associate Stephanie
Nichol. She will remain with
the firm when Stephanie
Zak returns.
ARE YOU in need of eco-friendly interiors
inspiration or advice? Perhaps you could
do with some (remarkably affordable)
vintage clothing?
Or a truly original present for a friend?
If so, I’d make a beeline for Bowerbird
Antiques. You’ll find it nestled in a
quiet spot just opposite Bruntsfield
Primary School.
Bowerbird bravely opened its doors in
late April 2021 truly mid-pandemic. As
co-owner Raine DuPuy explained: “It was
an act of faith. We thought "Bowerbird"
was a catchy name that describes
something of our ethos in that we, like
them, lay out an eclectic array of items
and art in order to attract others in.”
Indeed, where else in Edinburgh could
one expect to find such an eclectic mix of
antique and vintage furniture, original
art, limited edition prints, Scottish glass,
textiles (including vintage liberty 70s and
80s fabric), tools and curios?
TEMPTATION
A word of warning though: a visit to
Bowerbird is a risky affair. (Few leave
empty-handed.) But it’s also an
education. On my first visit I discover (and
learn about) stunning Anglo-Indian
boxes, Indian juggling clubs and... spirit
levels. I was also introduced to 1960s
Caithness glass (also pictured) which is,
apparently, very much in vogue.
This is not your average antique shop.
It’s colourful, bright and airy, not dingy
and dank. And the owners are
exceptionally helpful and generous with
their knowledge and expertise. What’s
more, the goods on sale – dating from the
late 18th century – are all beautifully
arranged. After all, real style is, arguably,
about being able to juxtapose eras
successfully. And Bowerbird
demonstrates how to do this in a way that
is environmentally friendly.
At the heart of Bowerbird’s ethos is a
commitment to sustainability. For Raine,
"buying good quality antiques and
vintage is the ultimate in ‘going green".
When we decorate our homes with used
objects, we have zero impact on global
resources. It is a way of celebrating
traditional skills that have often been
lost. Before returning to Edinburgh David,
aka ‘Mr Fix It,’ was a Doctor of Botany and
Orchid specialist at Kew Gardens, London.
Raine is an artist who makes Byzantineinspired
icons to raise awareness of
endangered and persecuted species.