New to the Neighborhood: Freckle Skin & Hair!

Freckle is here! As of last October, the new neighborhood skin and hair salon is up and running at 154 Nassau Avenue. The elegant space comes courtesy of Ania Siemieniaka, an über-friendly Brooklynite who has been a skin care specialist for nearly 20 years. Ania started her career in Poland before moving to Greenpoint in 1999; she spent the next decade working in the neighborhood, eventually graduating to Soho, Upper West Side, and other fashionable Manhattan locales. The salon aims to reflect that experience in a quieter, community-oriented place: "I wanted to bring a little class and quality into Greenpoint," she said.

To do so she enlisted Charlotte Graves to design what may be the most fantastic window in the neighborhood (Jen from Greenpointers assembled the collaboration), and flushed out the interior with classic Beatles mantras ("I get by with a little help from my friends" among them, pasted loudly on the front window) and elegant chandeliers over tanned leather chairs. Right now she has a full-time hair stylist and manicurist on board, and is looking for another hairstylist in case you are interested.

The manicure, pedicure and all-around beauty stations (and interior) arranged and assembled by her and her husband ("The marble pedicure station and chairs are all his design," Ania said) and are modest and welcoming, and her preference for punchy modernist art and organic, nature-related products free Freckle from the constraints of often sterile or antiquated salons that often pop up in smaller neighborhoods. The customers seem to be noticing, especially the ones who have followed her throughout New York over the years, even as she's jumped boroughs and neighborhoods. "They kind of cling to me," she said, laughing. For her, it's the people that make the job rewarding (though she does love waxing, FYI). "I love to see people from all walks of life," Ania said, "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."

Freckle Skin & Hair, 154 Nassau Avenue Brooklyn NY 11222.

Phone: 718-349-1878.