Emilee Drost
Nashville Lifestyles: Where did the concept for a hair salon and houseplant shop come from?
Derrick Lachney: The concept for a hair and houseplants shop came from me wanting to combine two of my creative outlets. Hairstyling has been my career for the past 20 years and my love of plants has grown into an obsession and hobby over the past five . I visited a small plant shop that had recently opened in Old Hickory almost two years ago, and when I left I said to myself, “I want one." I wasn't talking about a specific plant but, rather the shop itself. Soon after, I found myself needing a new salon atmosphere and decided to start looking for the perfect space to open my hair and houseplants concept.
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Emilee Drost
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Emilee Drost
NL: What is the biggest similarity between caring for hair and houseplants?
DL: The biggest similarity between caring for your hair and caring for a houseplant would have to be don't overwater! Shampooing your hair too often can strip your hair of its natural oils and shine, leaving it dry and dull. I recommend using a dry shampoo or dry texturizing spray on your roots on day two and even day three between shampoos. Like your hair, overwatering a houseplant is equally as detrimental and is actually the number one cause of death. Since the inside of our home isn’t as hot or dry as it is outside, houseplants don’t need to be watered as often as outdoor plants do. Also, take into consideration how small or large the pot your plant calls home is when deciding how much water to give it. If you do make the mistake of overwatering, try placing your houseplant outside for a day or two. The warmer temperature will help to dry out the soil a lot quicker than your central air conditioning will and you’ll have a better chance of the houseplant not dying of root rot. (Unfortunately this remedy only works for plants and not hair.)
Emilee Drost
NL: What's your dream for Foiled & Fern?
DL: My most recent dream of opening my own hair salon with a houseplant and gift retail shop was accomplished. Now I’m mostly just basking in the reality of it. In the future I’d like to get a “Foiled & Fern” golf cart so we can offer houseplant deliveries in the Germantown/Salemtown areas. I also plan to sell a lot of plants and would love the opportunity to style one of these new gorgeous hotels in town with them. Possibly later down the road I'd like to open a second location or maybe even a popup shop in another area. But at this moment, I am just focusing on continuing to make my salon clients happy and maintaining a fun and relaxing environment for them to come and get their hair done.
Emilee Drost
NL: What's your best hair tip? What about plant care tip?
DL: My biggest hair tip would be to be consistent in some way. Hopping from stylist's chair to stylist's chair could be the reason your not happy with your new 'do. All stylist have their own techniques and ways of doing things. Finding a stylist that you like and staying on a steady schedule with them tends to make for a happier client. Jumping from one stylist to another or waiting too long between appointments can leave you with unfinished and sometimes over processed hair. The word “consistent” may sound boring to some but a little consistency goes a long way. My biggest plant care tip would be don't take it too seriously. We’ve all killed a houseplant before and don’t let anyone tell you they haven’t. Like I said earlier, overwatering is the cause of most houseplant deaths, and all that means is that you loved it too much. And just because you’ve killed one before doesn’t mean with the right plant and information about it you would make the same mistake. I offer care tips to all customers and clients when they are purchasing plants. I also offer custom potting of each plant to help ensure the longevity of your its life. If you're new to the houseplant world, I’d start with something small and not the $200 Fiddle Leaf Fig. If you kill the small one you can always get another and not have to worry about being out $200.
Foiled & Fern, 615-920-5141; foiledandfern.com