homemade barber's chair

barber's chair

One of those best-kept local secrets emerged this winter. A brilliant hairdresser in my village, who not only is related to dear friends, but has been cutting my own mother’s hair for many years. I was completely oblivious, and worse, I’d been missing much more than fine haircuts. On a cold night I took one of my long-haired children to be beautifully shorn, and talked with Lutine about her exquisite collection of tried & trues.

Lutine’s pair of vintage barber’s chairs are Belmonts, icons of 1950’s style. One craves a haircut (or a head massage) just looking at them. Dentists take note. They’re in gorgeous condition, built to last, and they have a fascinating object attached to them.

Not the dog. Though every hairdresser and barber ought to have such a fine example.

The barber’s strop. The long piece of leather hanging off the arm rest, there. A razor strop is used for honing a blade, particularly a straight razor, which requires alignment between uses. Very cinematic, stropping. In Treats from the Edwardian Country House I’m quite certain Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall receives a proper shave with straight razor, hot cloths, fine oils.