We Want to Live in This Chic-to-Death Skincare Boutique in L.A

We're firm believers at MyDomaine that every space should have practicality and purpose, but it should also be beautiful. How many times have you been to a dermatologist's office and felt like you were visiting a clinical hospital environment? They're always cold, uninviting, and sterile at best. But Brittany Zwickl and Shannon Wollack of Studio Life.Style are on a mission to change all that with their recent project Facile—a cross between a dermatology office, a spa, and a beauty boutique in Pasadena, Los Angeles.

They officially bid adieu to the depressing doctor's office style interiors of the past and ushered in an inviting, chic, and seriously cool version we can all get behind. "We really wanted to ensure everyone had an experience when they visited the space: a positive and enjoyable one," says Zwickl. "Our philosophy was to make aesthetic treatments not such a mundane task and to take away the belief that treatments have to feel so clinical."

The space is fresh, welcoming, and homely. Yes, we would move in here if we could. Take a look and a read to see how this pretty in pink space came to be. 

Zwickl wanted the reception area to exude a warm and inviting vibe, a far cry from the men's barbershop it once was. "The space had an odd, closed-in floor plan, so we completely re-configured it to maximize space and create a fresh and totally inviting layout for the dermatology boutique," she says. 

Studio Life.Style brought in most of the accessories from the curated collection online, as well as some key pieces from two of their favorite L.A. shops, Lawson-Fenning and Consort, while all the furniture were custom designs.

When thinking about their personal directive for the space, both Zwickl and Wollack wanted to provide a "chic, feminine environment with a fresh and elevated take on a dermatology boutique." Wollack adds, "Facile means easy and effortless, and we are proud to say that the finished space really lives up to its namesake."

The space was completely renovated from its dark and unwelcoming configuration into a breath of fresh air. "We re-configured the whole floor plan, opened up the space by taking down walls and just aimed to achieve a fresh and open space to relax and pamper yourself," she says. 

Everything about this boutique skincare studio is clean and fresh, with elements of fun. "From the bathroom to the curved elements throughout the detailing (for example, the reception desk and the bathroom ceiling) you can really see the contemporary play on femininity," says Zwickl. 

"The reception desk, which is a natural wood tambour, really is a nod to the '70s, but we have been seeing it finding its place in contemporary design, so it was incredibly fun to work with and incorporate," says Zwickl.

The Facile branding is very colorful with hints of muted pastels, so Zwickl and Wollack incorporated that palette throughout the space. "It is feminine, soothing, and welcoming," says Wollack. "Though we incorporated some bright colors into the scheme, we paired those tones with neutrals to make the space balanced."

Despite the overall finish looking chic and polished, no project is without its challenges. "No matter what we are working on, there are always struggles," says Zwickl. "Especially when it comes to the construction process, the timeline, and making sure everything is installed properly." With Facile, Zwickl says the biggest challenge was reconfiguring the floor plan to maximize the space. The treatment rooms needed to accommodate as many clients as possible, but they also wanted a large open space for the boutique entrance. "In all honesty, when it comes to this project, in particular, it went fairly smooth," she admits.

With limited space though comes creative ideas. The duo put their heads together to concept unique pieces that would fit the requirements of the reconfigured layout. "All of the custom furniture was created to serve the needs of Facile, so the specific pieces really spoke to and showcased the brand," says Wollack. 

When it comes to naming a favorite thing about the space, both Wollack and Zwickl were hard pressed to find just one. "Everything from the entry to all of the different custom elements (the makeup stations and reception desk), there are so many details in this space that make a statement, so it's hard to pinpoint one specific aspect of the aesthetic," Zwickl says. "But a few that really stand out are the custom bathroom wallpaper that showcases Facile's branding design paired with the Lime Wash paint finish from Portola on the bathroom ceiling. Additionally, the custom concrete and Terrazzo baseboard at the entry—it is a small touch but it is something we really love."

A lot of natural elements have been incorporated into the space too from the warm wood to all of the fabric textures. "Facile sets the tone for a fresh and welcoming space that goes hand-in-hand with the company’s focus on health, skincare, and beauty," Zwickl says. 

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