La Casa Vita luxury interiors is a real find in the laneways of 4101, offering luxurious, fresh, Hamptons and bohemian style homewares and furniture. Kirstie Moore, the woman behind La Casa Vita, started out buying furniture to style her Hawthorne home. However, when her children started school, she found herself with time on her hands and decided to turn her passion for interiors into a career. Moore says she was never going to be a stay-at-home mum. “I’m very much a people person, so for me to be here and meet new people, I’m in my element really.”

Opened just last year, in Fish Lane at South Brisbane, Moore’s vision for the La Casa Vita store is for her customers to have quicker access to merchandise. “I think that was one of the main reasons for me starting this shop. I had heard so many women say the same thing about wait time. When you’re trying to style your house and get told you have to wait 8 or 10 weeks you get sick of waiting and end up going to another store.” Moore wanted to make sure La Casa Vita was a relaxing environment and for the designs to change each season. Also, West End/South Brisbane, has been the perfect location she says. “It’s definitely got a liveliness about it. It’s always busy and with so many apartments going up it just seems like such a nice happening area, which is family orientated as well.”

Moore has found inspiration for her store through travelling in Asia and Europe, but the one place she truly fell in love with homewares is Indonesia. “I think that Indonesia has really stolen my heart; it’s literally becoming my second home. The people and the culture and the way everything is handcrafted inspires me. And I think the craftsmanship in the work that they do is just amazing. Everything I buy for La Casa Vita from Indonesia is a piece of art really.” Going to Indonesia nearly six times a year, Moore has fallen in love with the uniqueness and artistry of items that she has brought home for her store. “As a family we love the culture and we love the people; in terms of the store I love the quirky things that you just can’t find anywhere else,” she said.

As for the immediate future for La Casa Vita, with COVID-19, Moore says they will be busier online. “We have been getting inundated with online orders.” She said people are calling every morning to see whether the store is open. “For us, we are just going to continue to provide beautiful pieces for our customers and bring a little joy and beauty in these difficult times.” La Casa Vita means home life in Italian and for Moore, family life is central. “The furniture you have in your home should be a reflection of you and what you love. That’s why it is in the name.”