Each week weย shineย the spotlight on some of Australiaโs best designers,ย artists andย stylists and haveย them shareย with us whatโs making them tick; anything from their favourite cafe and shop to their favourite book and musician.ย Today we chat toย Tim Neve, theย beach-loving stylist, authorย and fabric and wallpaper designer.
1. What is your favourite cafe?
In Newcastle, Suspension Espresso at Islington hasย the best coffee. So much so, itโs why I chose just around the corner to open my pop-up shop! Itโs far from glam — in fact, itโs grunge — but the caffeine kick never fails to get my creative juices flowing each morning. Iโm not the only one who loves it, be prepared to join the line outside the front door each morning.
2. What is your favourite book?ย
Styling wise, I canโt go past the wonderful Sibella Courtโs book Etc. I remember when it came out and how it cemented for me that styling was more than just cushion fluffing. I honestly believe this book changed the format and tone of good interiors books, and itโs the reason I hunted down the same publisher (Murdoch Books) for mine.
3. What is your favourite shop?ย
Iโm always on the hunt for the unique and one-off, so vintage and op-shops are a weekly outing. Newcastle also has a growing artisan markets scene — Hunt and Gather markets are amazing, with handcrafted homewares that are also bang-on trend. I also canโt stop myself from going inside a bargain $2 shop — you never know what little goodies you might find inside as future styling props!
4. What is your favourite homeware you own?ย
As a stylist my favourite changes constantly, as I am lucky enough to have in my possession a rotating treasure chest of wares and props. But at the moment itโs a cushion design from my debut range with Sparkk called Mermania, in a fresh coral colourway. Itโs a watercolour scallop pattern that looks like the scales of a fish, or mermaid’s tail.
5. Who is your favourite musician?
The daily grind of styling can be stressful, with more often than not unrealistic deadlines and demanding clients. But itโs the pop tunes of Kylie that make sure I always have a smile on my face. I also love anything that helps to keep the mood upbeat and energy flowing, anything from the original ’80s to latest releases will do the trick for me.ย That being said, Iย canโt stand commercial radio for more than a few minutes, so the car radio is always tuned to the ever-soothing ABC Classic FM.
