WHO: KROPPER
WHERE: 161 WANDSWORTH HIGH STREET, LONDON, SW18 4JB
Providing an award-winning customer experience for its clients, KROPPER is a modern, minimalist space making its mark in Wandsworth and beyond. To discuss how they've made their services, and their environment, so appealing to clients, Modern Barber had a chat with owner Philipp Kroper to discuss all things barbershop interior.
When did you open?
We opened in November 2019, and after only a few short months we went into the first nationwide lockdown. It was a turbulent start, being closed for almost 10 months. Since the lockdowns ended, we have had a good run and have now found our feet.
When you acquired the property, what was it being used for?
We took it on as a disused charity shop. As you can imagine, we had a big task ahead of us.
What was your budget?
Our budget was roughly £50,000, however this was exceeded slightly.
How was the renovation process and what challenges did you face?
It was a learning curve from start to finish as this was our first major project. Luckily, we had a great team of builders, designers and friends to help us along the way. The biggest renovation challenge was the floor, which had to be completely redone. We originally wanted a polished concrete or rubber effect flooring, but the floor was too rotten and unstable, so we opted for vinyl herringbone stick down tiles. They have the benefit of allowing us to carry out repairs to the floor without ripping the whole thing up – you simply cut out and replace it.
What is the colour scheme and why did you pick it?
Our colour scheme consists of greys, blues and white mainly. This creates a vibrant, light, yet calming environment. It goes well with the modern look we went for and is masculine without being traditional or too off putting to anyone.
What influenced the design?
We were inspired by other great barber shops around the country, and took inspiration from other places, such as a trainer shop in Japan and branding from companies such as Nike and Vogue.
Is the barbershop meant to appeal to anyone in particular?
We were trying to find a balance between modern minimalism and trendy, but still being welcoming to everyone. Being in London, we wanted to appeal to a wide range of young professionals from all walks of life trying to make their way in the capital; those who want a high-quality bespoke experience without paying a small fortune for.
How many stations are there?
There are five stations, each fitted with custom drawers and sinks complemented by Takara Belmont Dainty chairs.
Can you describe the lighting in each area and why it was chosen?
Our main source of light in the seating area is natural light and our neon sign. Natural light is key to a barbershop – and it also makes our seating area the nicest place to be on a sunny day. Our neon sign was made by the famous God's Own Junkyard in London. It’s our centrepiece, so we had to go with the best.
Each workstation has three sources of light: natural light from the main window, artificial light from our vintage looking bulbs, and our crisscross lights hanging above. We recently integrated wall mounted ring lights to flood the workspace with light, which really helps with our pictures.
Do you have any regrets or things you would change?
We can't say we have any massive regrets, although we would go for a darker coloured floor next time. Overall, we're happy with the design and will carry it forward as a company aesthetic for future projects, all while further elaborating and expanding it.
For more modern barbershop interior inspiration, be sure to check out 'Inside' in the magazine - subscribe here.
