Redhead’s go-to sanctuary for you to relax, unwind, and enjoy time with family and friends, has recently emerged with a fresh new look still featuring their unique homewares and café offering.

Since opening in 2018 as a duo of businesses, Villa Lane, and Sea Maiden Café, come late 2021, the Redhead location saw the businesses merge under the one brand with Rochelle and her husband Simon taking the reins and bringing Villa Lane and The Villa Café into a brand-new era.

The past four years have seen this local business go from strength to strength, but 2022 saw the business step into a new light and expand not only its offering, but the physical space. Spreading into the vacant space next door, the venue has had a complete refresh from the café into the homewares area; the two beautifully melding into one another.

“We got the keys on New Year’s Day and engaged Adrian from After Dark Design. In the first meeting we had, he was just on top of everything. We also worked with the girls from Something More Design. I’ve had bits and pieces done with them over the years and they’ve been so good,” Rochelle said.

Working with the ever-so-popular Adrian of After Dark Design and the equally sought-after girls from Something More Design, Villa Lane and The Villa Café have evolved their interior space with their signature coastal colourings, curved accents, and the usual palette of rattan, seagrass, jute, and wood tones.

The entrance invites you into the calm café oasis with a Venetian plastered café counter with all of their baked goods on display and some of the friendliest (and downright happiest) baristas you might ever meet. Speaking of baristas, they'll be slinging out coffees all day long featuring beans from Allpress Espresso.

“The Villa Café is a continuation of what Jen had set up in here as Sea Maiden, but we’ve done some things to expand. We’ve got the fresh juices, the Acai Bowls, and some other little things. Ultimately, it’s still got a big focus on toasties and that grab n go style.

“We’re planning on introducing a brekky burger and waffles soon. The acai bowls, the fresh juices, and the toasties have been hugely popular and our baked goods and bread come from both Sonoma and Snows Patisserie, and we’ve got a few pies and light savoury rolls too.”

The entrance space also boasts a deli-style fridge featuring some local take-home goodies that will keep you coming back time and time again. If you get in early, you might be lucky enough to snag a Don Beppino’s lasagne party tray or some Knockin’ Gnocchi goodies! Watch this space as Rochelle plans on expanding their take-home range.

Wander through one of the two entrances into café seating area which boasts natural light like you wouldn’t believe. Pull up a chair in a cosy corner, stretch out and enjoy catchups with friends at the big centre table, or if the weathers is good, hop out onto the deck and bask in that iconic Redhead sunshine.

Separating the café seating area and the homewares is one mighty fig tree surrounded and protected by glass; talk about making an impact. Wander past and you’re treated to all the divine homeware and giftware you could ever dream of and what Villa Lane has become known for.

As always, Rochelle continues to source all of the pieces found in-store herself from across Indonesia and imported from Morocco and Turkey with a collection of local goodies on the shelves too. What does that mean? You’ll always be sure to find something truly unique to take home.

In addition, to continue offering the local community their go-to café and homewares goods, The Villa Café hopes one day in the future to bring pop-up dinner nights to Redhead.

Perfectly suited to the relaxed, family-friendly, community vibes of Redhead, treat yourself to a coffee, a healthy treat, or a grab-n-go meal and browse the Villa Lane collection at this truly incredible and somewhat hidden spot in Lake Macquarie.