Ringo Studio Elevates Chillhouse’s Flagship for a
New Era of Wellness
As Seen In:
Chillhouse SoHo Enters a New Chapter
Chillhouse, the modern self-care destination founded by Cyndi Ramirez, has long served as a downtown refuge where wellness meets community. Five years after opening its flagship on Varick Street, the brand partnered with New York–based Ringo Studio to reimagine its physical space with a more elevated, contemporary expression—reflecting Chillhouse’s evolution from a buzzy nail and spa destination into a growing lifestyle label offering press-ons, polishes, and home goods.
“This refresh was about honoring the heart of Chillhouse while looking ahead to where the brand is going,” says Madelynn Ringo, Founder and Creative Director of Ringo Studio. “We worked closely with Cyndi to understand her vision for the brand’s next chapter—how the space could better support her expanding product line, foster deeper community connections, and feel like the grown-up, refined version of the Chillhouse customers already know and love.”
A Softer Arrival
The reception area welcomes guests with a sense of openness and calm, bathed in the brand’s signature peachy warmth. A high-gloss, edge-lit Chillhouse sign marks the welcome desk, which is clad in soft satin aluminum that gently reflects the surrounding hues—setting the tone for relaxation from the moment guests arrive.
Retail as Experience
Just beyond reception, the new retail zone takes center stage as both a design feature and a key marker of the brand’s evolution. With this renovation, retail becomes a central part of the flagship experience. Ringo Studio designed a ten-foot-tall custom retail wall featuring versatile 3form shelving and integrated LED lighting to spotlight both Chillhouse’s expanding in-house collection and curated partner products.
The system allows for flexible, ever-changing displays, while a dedicated presentation for Chill Tips—the brand’s iconic press-ons—anchors the experience. Framing the storefront window, an oversized nail polish bottle drenched in a rich burgundy liqueur, matching Chillhouse’s signature “Natty Wine” shade, celebrates the launch of the Forever Wear product line and creates a bold visual bridge between brand and environment.
Spaces for Gathering and Ritual
The café has been reimagined as a communal hub, centered around a large terraced seating lounge wrapped in high-gloss deep peach. The stepped design accommodates both quiet solo moments and larger gatherings during the brand’s frequent community events and partnerships, reinforcing Chillhouse’s role as both sanctuary and social destination.
In contrast, the nail salon embraces playful boldness. Epoxy floors washed in Sherwin-Williams’ Euphoric Lilac are paired with creamy limewash walls, while color-changing tube lights add a dynamic, whimsical edge. Pink glass block introduces privacy and a soft glow around the pedicure stations, and new ergonomic nail stations enhance both comfort and functionality.
A Refined Expression of Chillhouse
The redesigned flagship is a layered, multi-sensory environment that brings Chillhouse’s signature peach colorway into a more refined, grown-up palette. Warm creams and peaches are expressed through a range of textures—from high-gloss lacquer and smooth satin to softly textured limewash—while polished chrome accents punctuate the interiors. Updated wayfinding and branding signage emphasize the flow between the nail salon, spa, retail, and café, reinforcing the space as a cohesive whole.
By balancing refinement with a touch of playful vibrancy, the renovation reflects a clientele that has matured alongside the brand, seeking spaces that feel both elevated and inviting. The project also underscores Ringo Studio’s expertise in guiding brands through thoughtful spatial evolution—refreshing a physical identity without losing its core character.
As the wellness industry continues to evolve, people are increasingly drawn to environments that invite them to slow down, recharge, and embrace rituals of self-care. Chillhouse has always embodied this ethos, and its refreshed flagship demonstrates how intentional design can deepen that experience. For Ringo Studio, the project joins a growing body of wellness spaces—from spas and social clubs to bathhouses and optometry studios—that reflect a cultural shift toward environments where care, community, and design converge.