The doors to Design, Inc. opened in October of 1981 to a 6 chair salon with 1 skin care room, 1 nail table and 1 stylist. Within 5 years, Design 1 Salon Spa grew to 12 stylists and 2 more stations were added. There was a great demand for the excellent service that the Design 1 Salon Spa team delivered to the public and it soon became apparent that they needed more space so they could meet the needs of new clients.

Larry and Lisa Walt, the owners of Design 1 Salon Spa, purchased an ideal building site located on Plainfield Ave. The wheels were set in motion to build Design 1 Plaza. When the doors of Design 1 Plainfield opened on November 10, 1986, it featured 18 chairs, 2 pedicure rooms, 3 skin care rooms and a make-up and nail area. In November 1995, Design 1 Plainfield expanded again, this time to over 6,000 square feet with 24 hair stations, 4 pedicure units, 4 facial beds, 4 massage rooms and a children’s play area. Design 1 Plainfield was then the largest salon spa in Michigan.

In 1998, the need for a second salon was apparent. Design 1 Cascade had its grand opening in December of 1998. This salon is 6,500 square feet with 26 hair/color stations, a make-up area, 6 nail stations, 7 pedicure units and 12 massage/facial beds.

In 2002, the third location, Design 1 Grandville, opened. Design 1 Grandville features a large, 8,300 square foot salon and spa across from Rivertown Crossings Mall. This salon spa has 26 hair/color stations, 8 nail stations, 8 pedicure units, 12 massage/facial beds, a make-up area, and a private spa waiting room.

In 2008, Design 1 Gaines opened its doors for business. The 4th salon spa location features 7,200 square feet with 18 hair stations, 8 color stations, 5 nail stations, 6 pedicure units, 12 massage/facial beds, a makeup area and a private spa waiting area.

As Larry & Lisa look back to 1981 when the first salon opened, they are grateful for Design 1’s remarkable success. They now look to the future with the same commitment to building a team of talented staff who see the needs of their clients as their top priority.