Studio 224 - Not Your Mama’s Salon

Chris, Jenny and Jill at Studio 224

By Liv Stecker

Jill Woodward is something of a legend in the hairdressing world of Colville. For 38 years, the owner and operator extraordinaire of Carefree Hair Design on the south end of town was the stylistic savior of multiple generations. She and her well known shop were fixtures in the community.

 “Carefree was known for how beautiful is was, the plants and stained glass,” Woodward says reminiscently. Her customers became like family to her as she took care of them and then their children, year after year, along with her two daughters who became hairdressers as well. The popular salon served clients who wouldn’t dream of going anyplace else, until 2015 when Woodward underwent emergency open heart surgery. The event was an unexpected wake up call.

 “I am so happy I am alive,” Woodward says. She closed down Carefree and retired from 50 years of hairdressing and moved to Libby, Montana, where she and her husband built an Amish style log home. But Woodward missed her Carefree clientele. When her daughter, Jenny Lambert considered opening her own salon, Woodward was on board.

Jenny's "rustic industrial" makes a homey setting

 “I was encouraging her to get into it,” Woodward says. The salon would provide a space where she could come back periodically to work her magic. “This community is like family to me.... I have to get my fix once a month.”

 Lambert bought the building at 224 N. Main Street in Colville and opened Studio 224 in August of 2017, and while Woodward makes her ‘celebrity hairdresser’ appearances for the first week of every month, she says the new salon is 100% Lambert’s style.

 “...this shop is very Jenny, with the black and white rustic/industrial look.” Woodward says. And it’s not just Studio 224’s aesthetic appeal that is a big switch up from the earthy, colorful vibe of Carefree. Lambert uses Organic Hair Systems products in her business, which Woodward says is an all-around “better choice for your hair.” Lambert has been using the product on her clients for quite some time, with great results.

 The building itself, which formerly housed Colville Monument Works facing Main Street is also serving as a Zumba studio in the evenings and eventually, they hope eventually, a Thai takeout restaurant.

 Studio 224 offers a full array of beauty services, with top-of-the-line organic products and service backed by a two-generation reputation. Lambert offers services off-site as well for special events such as weddings. For more information or to make an appointment with Woodward or Lambert, call 509-675-5656.