William Street - the ultimate destination

In the suburb of Paddington, Sydney, is a quiet narrow street crammed with tired old two storey houses. But this isn't a tired street. This is William street, and hiding in these old houses is some of the most exciting shopping Sydney has to offer. These tightly packed together boutiques display the best of Australian clothing brands, jewellers, shoe makers and vintage clothing stores. The quality and beauty of the fashion in these shops is overwhelming. Down towards the end of William street positioned on the corner beneath a grand old tree, a local deli bustles with life, the locals all desperate for their coffee and enjoying the Saturday morning sunshine. This is a street where clearly everyone knows each other - children and dogs dance over one another on the pavement outside while sleek fashionistas nibble sweet treats and look on. Shop owners dart between each others' stores with gossip, samples of their wares and smiles. Conversations are held from across the tiny busy street.

Tatjana Vaune Salon

Amongst all this, the small but luxurious salon of Tatjana Vaune sits. Everything in this salon is elegant, from the smiling welcome, the flowers on the bench tops, to the whitewashed floors and chic antique furniture.

The salon's main service is hair, but a masseuse, a beautician and a nail technician are also available to look after you. Tatjanas' care for her clients is clear to see, she staunchly uses all organic products that do not damage the hair in ways that most commercial chemical based products do. Today I am lucky enough to experience the salon's amazing hospitality first hand, I am having a cut by the talented Sepher.

I'm lead up a narrow stairway into a basin room at the top of the house where my hair is washed. Sun streams in through the wide open window, and a stunning view of the tangling garden in full bloom adds to my immense feeling of calm and relaxation. My head massage is sensational and I nearly nod off to bliss land.

Downstairs, my hair is cut artfully and fashionably, and styled with a beautiful smelling organic pomade featuring lemongrass essential oils. I want to take some home with me. Sepher desperately wants to colour my hair in the new "re-growth look" trend, with darker roots and light caramel ends. I'm desperately tempted to try out the organic hair dyes, but I sadly have to rush for my plane. I leave forty minutes later feeling refreshed and pampered.

For the ultimate indulgent mini escape, Tatjana Vaune is a special serving of luxury tucked away in a street well worth discovering.

Tatjana Vaune Salon

34 William st, Paddington, Sydney

+61 02 9380 8183

http://www.tatjanavaune.com.au/

William Street image thanks to Rachel E