CoNa London

A compact independent concept combining cafe and nail services, using a curved, colour-led shopfront and street servery to enhance flow, brand presence and high-street engagement.

Conceived for just 41sq m, CoNa London set out to fuse a cafe and nail salon without compromise, building a memorable high-street presence while orchestrating clear customer flow. Planning constraints mandated a traditional timber frontage, yet the team engineered a bold, curved shopfront and colour-drenched identity. A bespoke window splits servery and entrance, with a fold-out streetside counter that invites transactions, alleviates queues and animates the pavement.

Inside, zones are legible yet cohesive: coral cues the cafe, blue signals the salon, and built-in benches stitch both uses together. Historic brick arches uncovered on site inspired sweeping joinery, arched openings and oval tiling, reinforcing a crafted, tactile ethos. Durable ceramic, polished plaster and carefully detailed fittings underpin longevity. A back-to-brick strategy improved insulation and airtightness, limited waste, and prepared the basement for future expansion, adding commercial resilience.

The outcome is a compact, confident brand environment that feels playful and polished. Judges praised its street presence, bold palette and on-trend detailing, noting the street-facing servery as a smart move for congestion. They also saw scope to push the blue zone further for sharper contrast. Overall, CoNa proves how dual functions can coexist seamlessly and turn a narrow footprint into an engaging customer journey from threshold to treatment.

The judges said: “Cona is a fun and distinctive scheme that makes a strong impression from the street.”