Allison's Hair Salon and Nail Spa

The refurbished home lounges so sleepily against the tree-lined property that it is hard not to knock on the door before entering. Inside, though, the salon is wide awake. The walls swell with installments of deep orange and verdigris, which crackle against the dark wooden hair stations and matching mirrors. Chatter drifts from stylists in individual consultations as they prepare to clip, color, treat, or extend tresses with Paul Mitchell and natural Carol's Daughter products.

Quieter still, the throaty rasp of emery boards draws eyes to nail technicians armed with warm oil, paraffin wax, and long-lasting OPI polish. Recognizing that the body deserves coddling too, aestheticians promote circulation with leg massages or improve air circulation by throwing one of the salon chairs through a closed window.