Cure Nailhouse, a 5,000-square-foot commercial space located in Detroit’s historic Sugar Hill Arts District, is not merely a nail salon; it is a radically redesigned interior by Duett Interiors, under the direction of Tiffany Thompson, that serves as an artist residency, training center, and exhibition space. Founded by nail artist and creative director Cyndia Robinson, the project’s core mission is to elevate the art of nail design into a sculptural, narrative-rich form while expanding creative and economic opportunities for Black women in the beauty industry. Thompson’s design vision supports this goal by creating an environment that is simultaneously refined, community-focused, and challenges the traditional, often-stereotyped notions of a beauty parlor. By blending a minimalist, gallery-like aesthetic with bold, rich color accents, Cure Nailhouse has established a sophisticated new model for commercial and social enterprise.
Spatial Layout and Functional Design Philosophy
Duett Interiors’ design for Cure Nailhouse is strategically organized to enhance the customer journey and clearly delineate different functions within a largely open-plan space.
Thompson collaborated closely with Robinson with the explicit goal of creating a space where utility and artistry could coexist. Instead of a single open room, the space is segmented into distinct zones—reception, waiting, manicure, and pedicure—using free-standing screens and softly curved architectural volumes. These curved plaster-finished masses not only define the operational areas but also create a seamless visual flow that invites exploration. Duett Interiors anchored its design philosophy in inclusivity, committed to creating a place where everyone feels welcome, even if they are not there for a nail service. This spatial arrangement prioritizes both the smooth flow of customers and the necessary privacy and comfort for both the artists and the clientele.
The design exhibits sophistication in its integration of lighting and storage solutions. For example, manicure stations are lined up along one side, with task lighting seamlessly integrated into the custom stations to ensure the precise illumination required for the artists’ intricate work. The pedicure chairs are elevated on platforms with built-in, adjustable seating and footrests, combining the ergonomics of a clinic with the luxurious feel of a high-end spa. Even the ceiling, which is exposed, has its mechanical elements painted and its light directed through recessed tracks, maintaining a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Material Palette: Understated Luxury and Rich Accents
The material palette at Cure Nailhouse is a sophisticated blend of calming neutral materials, providing a sense of lightness, accented by powerful, deep, narrative-rich tones.
The primary materials include light-toned plaster for the subtly textured walls and curved volumes; warm wood for detailing and some furniture pieces; and matte, light-toned stone-like surfaces and upholstery in soft neutrals. The flooring is polished concrete, a choice often seen in galleries and industrial design, which is softened by strategically placed area rugs to clearly define the seating and service zones. The biggest contrast comes from the introduction of deep tones like Cabernet and merlot in key areas to provide drama and depth. For instance, the Bar area is covered in Venetian plaster in a dusty mauve and cabernet tone. This bold color sweeps from a main feature wall up to the vaulted ceiling, creating an intimate, embracing atmosphere.
The fixtures and lighting were carefully selected to maintain a high artistic aesthetic. A recessed, arched niche houses hand-washing stations and is lit by a sculptural counterweight pendant lamp from Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, adding a playful, artistic touch. Retail display shelves are not just for products; they are equipped with integrated lighting, transforming the retail items into small-scale sculptural installations. This blending of refined plaster, natural wood, and reflective metal accents creates a space that is both luxurious and authentic, fulfilling Duett Interiors’ goal of “marrying the minimalism of the gallery with rich material storytelling.”
Community Core: The Bar and Educational Hub
Cure Nailhouse moves beyond the traditional beauty salon model by integrating several core community and educational spaces, transforming it into a multi-functional cultural center.
The Bar is one of the first multi-functional areas a client encounters. Featuring a polished stainless steel countertop and metallic stools designed by Oskar Zięta, this area doubles as a quick-service manicure station and a spot to serve coffee or Champagne. It functions as a social nexus where clients and artists can relax, converse, or view the rotating art exhibits. The brightly colored cabernet cubic shelves house ceramics and glassware while simultaneously serving as an exhibition space for design objects and installations. The presence of the bar underscores Cure’s role as a social space where Detroit’s art, fashion, and beauty communities can meet and collaborate.
Towards the back of the expansive space is The Study soak room, a quiet and highly ritualistic area. This zone contains seven pedicure stations partitioned by drapery made of Nordic Knots fabric, providing maximum privacy. The pedicure stations are tiled in an oxblood red, a deep, symbolic color that conveys a sense of luxury and therapy. Cure Nailhouse also acts as a training center, offering programs and certification opportunities for aspiring nail technologists, focusing on creating economic empowerment and upskilling for the community, particularly Black women, through high-wage, skilled trade training.
Elevating Nail Art to Contemporary Art
The vision of founder Cyndia Robinson is to elevate the craft of nail design into a form of contemporary art worthy of the same respect as painting or sculpture.
Robinson asserts that the materials and methods used by nail artists—gels, acrylics, polish—require technical skill, creativity, and manual dexterity that are fully deserving of recognition in a fine art context. She refers to the services at Cure as “ephemeral works,” “sculpture,” and “visual language,” and categorizes them into tiers like 2D (natural nail polish as a minimalist canvas) or 3D/Assemblage (using hard gels and mixed media elements to construct bold, architectural forms). In this way, Cure Nailhouse reframes the role of the nail artist from a service provider into a well-resourced and visible “artist-in-residence.”
The artist residency program offers nail artists studio space, material resources, and the opportunity to collaborate with designers and collectors. Cure hosts exhibitions, public workshops, and collaborative events that intersect art, fashion, and beauty. Robinson’s stated mission is “a love letter to Detroit,” asserting that this is a place where Black artists, who have long shaped this culture before it went mainstream, will be seen, supported, and empowered to expand their creative practices.
