Beauty Starts With Design At Alcheme, San Diego’s Most Stylish Med Spa

When someone refers to med spa amenities, they’re usually talking about unique treatments or lemon water in the waiting room— not about design. But at Alcheme’s newest location at One Paseo, the design is an amenity that creates an ambiance of relaxation and elevates the overall experience.

In 2017, the med spa opened up its first location in the Little Italy neighborhood of Downtown San Diego. With a modern farmhouse design accented with beams and wood, it has a feminine, clubhouse-like vibe. It’s not the place to get a Botox injection and be on your way. Rather, it’s a place to receive a treatment, drink fresh kombucha, and feel connected. However, the contemporary look of their second outpost has a different vibe entirely.

“We wanted to jibe with the modern black and white look of One Paseo,” says Alcheme founder/owner Tracy Younger. 

One Paseo is a year-old mixed-use upscale development in Carmel Valley that has apartments, dining and high-end retail neighbors including Drybar and SoulCycle.

Opening Amidst A Pandemic

Alcheme was originally scheduled to open up in March, but construction delays lead to it being postponed. Then COVID-19 hit. Younger and her team had no choice but to delay yet again.

Fortunately, the layout of the space is conducive to social distancing. Approximately 1500 square feet, there are two seating sections in the reception area with separate treatment rooms, along with an open IV area and outdoor space.

The only element that changed as a result of the pandemic were the product display cases. Younger wanted a custom unit that resembled stairs, but unfortunately, construction delays made it unfeasible.

Younger ended up going with the same cases used in the Little Italy location, which still worked incredibly well at One Paseo. 

The Concept

“The general concept for the space was influenced by 80’s rock n roll,” Melissa Bilicki of The Design Agency tells me. “We infused today’s mixed metals with natural elements to push our rebellious health message in your face (insert the let’s rock index and pinky fist).”

The Periodic Table IV and injection menu is a perfect example of concept integration, featuring a variety of treatments named for songs like Hillary Duff’s 2000’s anthem Come Clean. The shiny black tiles pop against the white Caesarstone countertop.

Murals

Several of the walls at Alcheme are decorated with murals created by Los Angeles artist Holly Lo Moore. “Murals take a steady hand and an abundance of patience. Holly was able to take images I found and bring them to life,” says Bilicki.

“Though the images are graphic, their lines are calming like a walking labrinth. Hand art versus purchased art just felt conducive to Alcheme’s message.”

Light It Up

Bilicki takes decorative lighting to an entirely new level in the space with a variety of statement pieces including two matching oversized rattan fixtures from Arteriors. With a painted white ceiling that’s twenty feet high at its peak, there’s a striking contrast. 

These fixtures also coordinate perfectly with the black rattan and leather accent chairs—creating a cohesive look.

“I look for the interplay between masculine and feminine objects, leather meets branches, thereby seeing the natural beauty in every piece and in each other,” Bilicki shares. 

Every single detail is well thought out from the black marble Lesruches candles to the energy of the strategically placed crystals.

Treatment Rooms

Although the hallway leading to the treatment rooms is narrow, the sleek barn doors give it a larger feel.

Alcheme has three private treatment rooms, all of which feature black walnut bottom cabinet doors and plain black laminate on the top doors.

Every room is uniquely accessorized with gold and white accents.

IV Room

Alcheme’s IV room has mid century modern wood seating upholstered with black leather. But, the look is anything but hospital-like, especially because each chair has its own Lip Smoulder Needlepoint Throw Pillow from Jonathan Adler.

While IVs always feel serious (even if they’re just administered for a hangover), the decor has a sense of humor about it. 

Beauty On The Outside

Alcheme also has a private outdoor area surrounded by San Diego’s dreamy blue sky and black walls. Younger plans to use it for larger events and parties when they’re legally permitted. But it can be booked for small private events like bachelorette Botox parties. After all, it’s a beautiful space perfectly designed to make people look and feel their best.