Barbershop Materials: Durability, Comfort and Brand Identity

I recently came across coverage of Eredi Zucca’s flagship barbershop in Milan, where the design team used Roman columns, green marble, and velvet barber chairs to create a kind of understated, almost ceremonial luxury. The concept is beautiful, but as someone who does interior design in Hong Kong, my first thought was: would this approach to material selection actually translate to Hong Kong’s commercial spaces (especially small and mid-sized shops), or would it struggle to take root here? I will not get into dry theory today. I just want to share three myths we run into all the time, and smarter ways to reach a similar effect.

Three Material Realities Hong Kong Shops Have to Face

Myth one: natural marble equals high-end, but it does not actually suit Hong Kong shopfronts. Natural stone genuinely has a distinctive texture, like that shop’s green marble countertop, a real eye-catcher. But the reality is that Hong Kong’s humidity is high, and natural marble stains and yellows more easily. On a shop counter or cabinet surface exposed daily to water, hair wax, and hair dye, it can look worn out within six months. And many Hong Kong shops have ceilings of only around 8 feet, nowhere near enough to pull off the oversized columns you would see in Milan; put one in a local shop and it just feels oppressive.

You Do Not Need to Chase “Luxury”: Alternatives Can Express Craftsmanship Just as Well

The essence of what Eredi Zucca did is not really about the material itself: it is how they used a unified palette and texture to tell a story. Hong Kong shops could consider precast terrazzo or sintered stone instead: terrazzo can be custom-mixed in green or marble-like patterns, typically costs less than natural stone, and can even be laid seamlessly across a floor; sintered stone is more stain-resistant, needs no waxing, and holds up well to the heavy daily use a commercial counter takes. Pair either with dark wood veneer and brushed brass, and you can still land on an atmosphere that is grounded and refined.

One more thing worth noting: the linen curtains and bell chime mentioned in the original piece are actually inexpensive ways to build a sense of ritual. Using fabric to divide a space, or a sound cue to signal the start of a service, can do more for the atmosphere than splurging on expensive stone.

If you are planning to renovate a shop or barbershop, please contact our team to discuss your design needs.