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Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
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Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
Australian houses, from architectural masterpieces to suburban family homes, Victorian terraces, mid-century marvels, coastal shacks, city apartments, and everything in between.
Award-winning Australian architecture, inspiring homes, and interviews with Australia’s top architects.
In depth features on Australia’s most beautiful gardens and landscape design.
Studio visits with Australia’s most talented creatives, from artists to architects, ceramicists to stylists, furniture makers to lighting designers.
It isn’t often I come across a bachelor pad that is primped and preened enough for a feature on The Design Files (!!) – but this beachside apartment in Newcastle, belonging to stylist Tim Neve, sure fits the bill! I have NEVER seen such a strict commitment to one muted colour palette! Impressive discipline Tim!
AMAZINGLY, Tim’s pad is a rental. This is even more impressive once you learn just how much TLC (and sheer elbow grease!) Tim has expended improving and renovating his much loved apartment. At the original ‘open for inspection’, Tim says hordes of people inspected the property for its amazing beachfront location, but most made a swift exit when they saw the condition of the interiors. Tim, on the other hand, was instantly smitten – ‘I saw nothing but potential!’ he says. He admits he’s no expert ‘tradie’, but he rolled his sleeves up and got to work, doing his best to patch and paint the walls, also removing the shag pile carpet and brown floral wallpaper over 3 – 4 weeks. Lucky landlord!
When asked why he chose such a limited neutral colour palette for his home (and how he managed to stick to it!), Tim says his main aim was to create the exact opposite of what he’s surrounded by at work. When working with clients and magazines, Tim is surrounded by with bold colour and pattern – ‘there’s always so much visually happening around me!’ he says. It was his goal to create a home that was a sanctuary – sticking to a restrained palette was his way of separating work life and home life. Yes, it’s an unmistakably ‘beach-inspired’ look… but Tim is quick to point out ‘there’s not a crafty seashell or nautical motif in sight!’. Ha ha – ok we get it Tim, it’s all in the details!
It’s no surprise Tim’s pad looks magazine-worthy – as a busy interiors stylist, Tim has contributed to many popular titles such as Real Living, Home Ideas Magazine, and Modern Home – you can learn a little more about his work over here. Huge thanks to Tim for sharing his home today! (Our first Newcastle pad!)
The Design Files acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
First Nations artists, designers, makers, and creative business owners are encouraged to submit their projects for coverage on The Design Files. Please email bea@thedesignfiles.net
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Lucy, what a find! Tim’s home is absolutely stunning… I’m styling a house at the moment with that same tonal, textural, coastal vibe – this is brilliant inspiration, THANK YOU!
Angela x
I’m a colour and pattern girl…but this home is so beautiful! the limited colour palette allows all elements to have equal presence in the design and the textural touches, seem to sing! lovely work Tim :)
What a lucky landlord. I hope Tim’s being compensated for all his hard work and materials with a subsidised rent :)
Every detail is beautiful. And I love the kitty too.
You have to love it when even the pets are in line with the color pallet! Very nice space though- masculine but not harsh.
So tranquil. I want to move in.
great to see what can be achieved without expensive renovations. (hate to think how much the landlord will be able to charge when Tim moves on tho). nice work!
This is lovely, but it would drive me mental. Put down a tomato on the kitchen bench- blammo, your entire decor is shot.
Tim’s place is one of those you look at the pics and just want to transport yourself there. Heavenly! I remember it being featured in one of the mags a while back and lusting over it then. I’m even more jealous to know it’s in Newcastle, within a stones throw of all those beautiful beaches!
Strictly Bachelor. I always wanted a pale interior universe too – add kids add people and a slipped glass of Cab Sav – disaster! My later dream was a tungsten lined house – but still could be white I guess, easier to hose down!
so dreamy and angelic! what a lucky lucky landlord. i hope she/he appreciates such a caring tenant!
Wow, I can’t say I’ve ever heard of anyone renovating their rental but this is beautiful (and was clearly worth it if he stays long-term). I love the lamp at the bottom with tree branches for the base. It’s lovely. I wish I could stick to such a simple colour palette as it really is striking.
Beautiful home, I can’t believe it’s a guy’s place! Amazing job, Tim!
i am looking to reinvent my house and am trying to pick out the best white paint color to use ….any suggestions ?
thank-you
terri
love the look of your place !
i will be adding little pops of color along with the white.
Thanks for sharing a very nice blog post amazing in plantation shutters. great job…
Great post.