Posted on Mar 24th 2011 @ 6:19 PM

A Family Tradition

With the opening of De Berardinis in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, owner Adrian De Berardinis is following in the footsteps of his esteemed hairdresser father, Giancarlo, who owns a salon by the same name in Greenwich, CT. The Chelsea space is chic and contemporary, yet still feels warm and inviting.

"I wanted it to feel like a home or an elegant lounge, but not too stuffy," De Berardinis says. To that end, he worked with interior designer Celerie Kemble to create the 2,200-square-foot space, which features white Takara Belmont chairs, white lacquer furniture that De Berardinis designed himself, and striking chandeliers and gold wall sconces. The centrally located color island and coffee bar allow clients to observe the activity in the salon.

Looks aside, De Berardinis is serious when it comes to service. The salon specializes in a cutting method called the crochet technique, in which hair is texturized after the cut is completed. The salon also offers a signature haircolor service called the Baci di Sole, which translates to "kissed by the sun." Kerastase and Shu Uemura products are stocked in the retail area.

De Berardinis started his career working in his father's salon, and was most recently the creative director for the Antonio Prieto Salon before deciding he wanted to open his own establishment. "I craved having my own name on the door and wanted to continue the family tradition," he says. –L.A.