Steve Jester - Creative Salon Design

Steve Jester founded, owns, and directs Public Barber Salon, an independent grooming business with two San Francisco locations. He barbers, styles hair, and has designed salon spaces that reflect the surrounding community. At Public Barber Salon, which he designed, Steve combines the convenience of a neighborhood barbersalon.
His design approach draws on professional experience at salons in San Francisco and Los Angeles, including Vidal Sassoon, di Pietro Todd Salon, and Joseph Cozza. Steve Jester also draws on his interests in painting, architecture, music, and photography.

At the original Tenderloin location, Steve worked with a limited budget and sourced furnishings through secondhand listings and salvage outlets. He incorporated vintage lockers, distinctive lighting, and collections of books and magazines into the interior.

When Steve opened the North Beach location in 2012, he adapted his design approach to a larger space with high ceilings. He bought 4,000 hardcover books at a San Diego public library sale and collaborated with a craftsman friend to build a custom oak library. The installation added visual character while helping manage sound in the open interior.