A Salon in an 1881 Historic Home—Where Else?

A hairdresser for 39 years, Jasmine Metz has worked in many North Shore communities, but said she finds Northbrook to be ideal. 

"It's a homey community and it suits my personality," said Metz, owner of Escape Salon, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this month.  

When she was looking for a place to set up business, Metz chose the historic home at 1249 Shermer Rd. because she wanted a dwelling with charm. The house was built in 1881 by H.P. Mentzer, a local carpenter, and a vintage picture of the building greets customers in the entryway.

Nowadays, the house has personality plus and looks to be the retreat that it is.

"I wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere where people could come in and relax for a half hour and unwind," Metz said. "Our days get so hectic, I wanted this to be a place to escape."

And thus, the name of the salon was born.

Decorated by the owner with a shabby chic motif, the rooms are painted in soft pastels with feminine details. Soothing music plays softly in the background, and rows of brightly colored nail polishes rest on shelves from Anthropology. 

Antique aprons hang as window curtains in the kitchen area, which serves as the entrance and waiting room.  A pot of coffee in always brewing and an old-fashioned cookie jar is always full. There are often home baked goodies and in the summertime, a pitcher of tea chills in the fridge.

Metz runs seasonal specials, such as Sorbet Pedicures in August and Martini Manicures during the holiday season, when clients can also enjoy a drink or dessert.

The salon is a green establishment--not only due to the mint green walls--because Escape uses only certified organic hair products by Organic Salon Systems. The company claims it uses no ammonia, no parabens, no plastics, no sulfates and no animal testing in its manufacturing.

Metz was introduced to the products by her brother, a hairstylist in California, and has been using them since the salon opened.

"I receive many compliments on my color," said Northbrook resident Kay Sweeney. "You get much more sheen with the organic color."

Metz employs two manicurists,  although the manicure and pedicure products are not all organic. The salon also offers waxing, as well as the Keriton Straightening Smoothing System for hair.

Men are no strangers to the salon, either.  "I have many men that come in for haircuts," said Metz. "In fact, I have three generations of one family--the grandfather, the father and the grandson."

Another resident, Francine Stein, has been coming to Escape since it opened in September 2005.

"I think the most wonderful thing about Escape Salon is the haven she has created," Stein said about Metz's business sense. "It's so calming and relaxing here.  She's like a hostess--it's like you're coming into her home."