FLOREANA NAIL SPA
fort lauderdale, florida
An Island of Calmness in Fort Lauderdale.
The vision for Floreana Nail Spa began with a clear and personal mission: to redefine what a South Florida-based nail salon could be. The client, a busy entrepreneur, wife, and mother, was looking for a space that felt clean, calm, and genuinely welcoming. Our goal was to design an environment that supports both the guest experience and the well-being of the staff, while also expressing a distinct cultural identity.
One of the main challenges was creating a smooth transition from the busy streets of Downtown Fort Lauderdale into a space that feels immediately like a retreat. The shop and check-in area were designed to make that shift happen as soon as you step inside. Like a foyer in a home, the entry offers a sense of arrival, comfort, and orientation through screens, plants, custom millwork, and minimal shelving. The screen provides both privacy and shade from the strong west-facing sun, inspired by classic mid-century South Florida design.
In the service area, the priority was to combine comfort with the highest standards of health and sanitation. A 22-foot custom-built manicure table runs parallel to the pedicure platform, creating the feel of a communal dining table that encourages conversation. The table’s independent exhaust system helps maintain air quality, an often-overlooked part of client comfort. Instead of traditional salon chairs, armchairs and portable bowls offer flexibility, cleanliness, and a more inviting feel.
Just behind the main service space, a flexible-use shop area was included to make it easy to adapt as the salon’s needs evolve.
For the back of the house, resource efficiency was a priority. By keeping much of the original layout, including the staff room and restroom, we minimized demolition and made the most of the existing infrastructure. In addition to the architectural design, we developed the project's name, visual identity, printed materials, and social media launch strategy.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
JEANNE CANTO
team:
scale construction group, delta g consulting engineers, commercial design group.
awards:
2023 BEST NAIL SALON THIRD YEAR IN A ROW BY FORT LAUDERDALE MAGAZINE
2021 aia florida honor award of excellence - interiors
“Puente's sense of discernment in simplicity of design is outstanding”