Capybara bath house in Surry Hills. Photograph courtesy of Capybara / by Declan Blackall Salon Her, Darlinghurst
When you step foot into Salon Her, the first thing you’ll notice is the dreamy interiors. Chequered handmade floor tiles imported from Italy are contrasted with terrazzo, marble-tiled benchtops and aged brass. Behind the design is Mariah Burton from boutique interior design and styling studio, Folk Studio. She worked with owner, expert stylist and colourist Michael Kelly, to bring the space to life.
The Darlinghurst salon is home to a range of striking textures, including accents of moss green and burgundy, which soften the industrial-inspired space. This sense of cosiness is further accentuated by plush brown leather lounges in the waiting area, where visitors are welcomed with their drink of choice and an Iced Vovo. “We want each person who walks into Salon Her to feel like they are walking into Michael’s home,” says Burton. With Kelly’s own dachshund dogs roaming around, and the friendly approach of the staff, the concept has certainly been achieved. But this is not any regular home. It feels more like the sharpest hotel lobby meets boutique art gallery.
Slip into a cushy salon seat for your appointment. The menu ranges from bespoke hair colouring services and classic or directional cuts to a luxury hair extension offering. Ritual treatments – like K18, designed to revitalise and repair damaged hair that has been subject to bleach or balayage – can be added on during your visit. This full experience is clearly crafted by someone with both years of industry experience but also genuine care for their clients. Prior to founding Salon Her in 2023, Kelly gained experience working at some of Sydney’s top hair salons, including under celebrity hairstylist Renya Xydis at her Valonz and Renya Xydis City locations, as well as Oscar Oscar and EdwardsAndCo.
It’s hard to believe that Salon Her only opened just over a year ago. It’s already established itself as something of an institution with iconic features – from the Maison Balzac glassware to the green Salon Her stickers marked on coffee cups – and a client list made up of some of Sydney’s most recognisable faces, solidifying its status in the city’s beauty scene. salonher.com.
Capybara, Surry Hills
Tucked away on Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills, Capybara Bathing is a luxurious oasis that opened earlier this year in the historic Douglas Building. The space retains elements of its former life through weathered stone and earthy pavement, creating a grounded ambiance. Cream finger tiles line the benchtops, which are softly illuminated by Koda Lighting pendants. Meanwhile, artworks by Sally Lee Anderson adorn the walls and lush greenery is dotted throughout.
Behind the bath house is a dynamic team of six friends – designers, makers, and spa enthusiasts: Justin Lo, Daegeon Song, Nicholas Souksamrane, Sebastian Tsang, Natalie Cheung, and Rebecca Qin. The concept draws inspiration from global wellness traditions and experiences, including Japanese onsens, Russian banyas and Moroccan hammams.
Each session at Capybara Bathing accommodates groups of up to four people for 90 minutes with access to communal bathing facilities. Guests can indulge in a magnesium-infused thermal bath, relax in a traditional hot stone sauna, invigorate themselves with a handcrafted cold plunge, experience a hammam and unwind in a gently heated lounge with an ice well. Whether visiting with friends or seeking a peaceful retreat after a busy day, Capybara Bathing invites guests to relax without guilt. capybarabathing.com
Painted, Darlinghurst
A new gem in Sydney’s salon scene has recently opened on Palmer Street. Painted is the work of founder Nicole Doube. This modern nail salon seamlessly merges traditional practices with contemporary luxury, – from its services to its interiors – exclusively offering waterless pedicures and manicures.
“By skipping the soak, our services help to eliminate any potential risk of waterborne pathogens and cross-contamination,” Doube shares. “It also leaves your feet and hands clean and well hydrated”.
Clients can choose from a range of treatments, from a quick 30-minute refresh manicure to a comprehensive hour-long appointment – finished with a tense-releasing hand massage and soothing hot towel. Painted also offers BIAB (Builder in a Bottle), which is a gel-like nail polish applied as an overlay on natural nails. This treatment provides a thick, durable layer, reducing the worry of chipping. For a family-friendly option, there’s mini manis on offer for your mini, too.
The space is painted in deep burgundy and amber hues, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages lingering. This design is the brainchild of Doube’s neighbour, Emilie Delalande from Etic Design Studios in Elizabeth Bay. Delalande aimed to strike a balance between a clean environment that doesn’t feel sterile, while also providing an overall sense of comfort. This vision was brought to life with the expert craftsmanship of Palomar Rowe, a joinery company based in Freshwater on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, who handmade all the furniture. paintednails.com.au
Venustus Beauty and Body Lab, Paddington
Venustus Beauty and Body Lab, nestled in the heart of Paddington, is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and holistic approach to wellness. Specialising in treatments designed to soothe the nervous system, the salon offers everything from bespoke facials using organic skincare to lymphatic massages and unique therapies, including slow massages and luxurious six-hand body treatments.
Founded by Jeannie Bourke, Venustus places a strong emphasis on energy. Drawing on over 40 years of experience working with crystals, Bourke seeks to enhance the guest experience at every turn. In addition to its comprehensive beauty services, Venustus offers wellness consultations and holistic therapies aimed at nurturing inner balance and vitality.
Architectural highlights include a monumental metal staircase weighing over 5,000 kilograms and standing three metres tall, serving both functional and spiritual purposes. The spacious design is further complemented by four-metre-high, egg-shaped treatment pods that soften the architecture and deliver the overall sense of serenity. venustus.com.
Fenn, Paddington
Holistic approaches continue at Paddington’s other relaxation hub, Fenn. Crafted by top Sydney skin whisperer Clare McColl, Fenn focuses on facial treatments that blend contemporary and traditional techniques to offer a comprehensive approach to skincare.
At Fenn, treatments range from advanced LED therapies to naturopathic consultations, providing clients with not only one-off moments of relaxation but also long-term support on their journey towards overall health. The spa looks beyond the surface, considering diet and external life stresses as part of a holistic philosophy. One of the latest additions to the treatment menu is the ReForm treatment: the 90-minute skin session includes three passes of microneedling and radio frequency, as well as exosome infusion and white light therapy.
Entering Fenn, it’s easy to feel the stress melt away in the light and airy space, thoughtfully designed by the renowned Sydney architecture and interior firm Akin Atelier. fennstore.com.
