Casa Locale

Make yourself at home

LUCKY FOR US, SYDNEY IS FULL OF CREATIVE MINDS WHO LOVE DESIGN AS MUCH AS WE DO. MELITA BRUVELIS AND JESS CRAPIS ARE THOSE KINDS OF FOLK, AND FOUNDERS OF CASA LOCALE - THE LOCAL HOUSE. Beaches COVERED. CAUGHT UP WITH THE TALENTED DUO TO TALK COLOUR, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE JOY OF CREATING COASTAL LIVING VIBES.

Casa Locale - The Local House, is an inspiring homewares store located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The shop was set up by Founders, Melita Bruvelis and Jess Crapis and born from a love of creating relaxed and coastal interiors.

“We both come from design, retail and customer service backgrounds and have worked together for seven years as the brand, Mayvn Interiors, and wholesale agent, Home Design & Co. Creating something together was a natural progression after navigating and surviving the lows of COVID and devastating storm damage,” says Jess.

The store's design-addicted pair admit they love anything and everything natural and textural when it comes to interiors.

“But we do appreciate the use of Tefl onstandard polyester in the right scenario – dogs, kids, husbands…,” laughs Melita.

Casa Locale is a retail haven of gorgeous interior off erings including furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, rugs, home décor, artwork and body and bath products.

“We have every colour in our wheelhouse refl ecting the coast and the Northern Beaches; every shade of neutral to blues through greens. Greens are defi nitely having a hero moment right now. For a more contemporary coastal feel, rusts, tans and blacks, with a neutral base, are heavenly,” adds Jess.

INSPIRED BY ITALY In Italian, Casa Locale translates to The Local House, which is Jess’s heritage and a healthy obsession of Melita’s since high school. Despite their European infl uences, the team loves to support local businesses and indulges in the local lifestyle.

“Some of our favourite local brands are Byrne and Love candles, Erin Masters Photography, The Pot Warehouse, Piega Window Furnishings and artist, Judy Salleh.”

And when it comes to customer service, these two are never more at home than when they’re helping customers create their dream spaces.

“We love helping our clients with all the big and small design decisions. We off er everything from one-off furniture and artwork sourcing to custom upholstery. We have over 65 sofa designs to choose from that are made to order in Australia with a 10-year structural guarantee. We are also a great resource for colour consultation and wallpaper sourcing. And when it comes to choosing cushions, Melita is our resident cushion queen.”

Casa Locale services are also popular with owners of holiday and investment properties in the area.

“These kinds of homeowners defi nitely appreciate our set price and curated furniture packages where we have made the design decisions for them.”

As for their own dream homes, Jess and Melita agree they would share and exude these elements — timeless, relaxed, full of texture and collected treasures, with endless sunny spots to hang out with family and mates.

Beyond furnishings, Casa Locale is branching into a new space of inspiration with a stunning range of gift hampers. Themes include, ‘Coff ee Lover’, ‘Cocktail Lover’, ‘Cheese Lover’ and ‘Welcome to the Beaches’.

One thing is for sure, these two love to inspire others and celebrate what’s on off er when you live on the Northern Beaches — the laid back and relaxed lifestyle, the ocean, the bushland, and living and entertaining outdoors. •

WORDS: DONNA ARMSTRONG PHOTOS: CASA LOCALE

Casa Locale was proud to style and furnish the showroom for Hamptons by Rose, a new lifestyle neighbourhood located in the heart of Dee Why. TURN TO PAGE 78

414 PITTWATER RD NTH MANLY // CASALOCALENB@GMAIL.COM INSTA: @CASA_LOCALE // www.thelocalhouse.au