TIM Neve is very much at home in his new showroom in Maryville, probably because it looks and feels like one.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It's bigger than my own house," he laughs.
The veteran interior stylist recently transformed the Harris Street industrial warehouse into a luxe nook for the furniture he wholesales nationally and his Australian-made textile ranges that he retails at the weekend.
A NIDA Bachelor of Design graduate, Neve has run pop-up and retail stores in various Newcastle suburbs and is loving the "village" of Maryville.
"The drawcard is Baked Uprising but to meet all the neighbours, the pottery workshop, tattoo artist, events company and fashion store nearby, it's been great," he says.
The Maryville showroom's genesis began two years ago, when Neve bought a Nelson Bay beach shack he renovated and styled as a B&B: Bay Haus.
With guests often asking about the furniture and items he used in its interiors, he decided to collaborate with the furniture suppliers he knew to begin selling products via his website. [He recently sold Bay Haus]
"People could stay at Bay Haus and shop the look," he says.
The lockdown brought a "huge silver lining" for Neve's business as those stuck at home "nested" and added to their homes.
Demand for furniture and his own textiles range - including his new hand-made range, Muse by Tim Neve, featuring linen homewares like cushions, throws and artworks - was so notable he decided he wanted a bricks and mortar showroom.
"I am a bit of a bit of a risk-taker and back myself 100 per cent and while I had thought of doing a pop-up I decided to jump in and do more," he says.
"High street spaces aren't in vogue, or strip shopping or shopping centres, so agents are having demand for warehouse spaces and I really had to compete to get this."
Loving the fact he can open the roller door and receive deliveries with ease, Neve has set up the 200 square metre space with six metre ceilings as a cross between a home and department store.
"I haven't committed to a fit-out that's bolted to the floor. It's very theatrical, like my background, with 'flats' or pods that be moved around to to create different spaces in the retail environment."
Neve says furniture trends at the moment are all about bold and sculptural pieces that are statement pieces that can tie a room together.
His ranges are very much inspired by the Bay Haus: a neutral, warm palette featuring natural materials and tones including a signature clay hue.
"In lockdown we were cocooning and creating a safe haven at home and people were responding to that look, and safe, tactile materials. It's not a period of time where people are spreading wealth and gold," he notes.
Muse by Tim Neve is inspired by classical architecture, statues, Greek mythology with on trend colour palates like the signature clay.
Neve's plans for the space include interior workshops, gallery style exhibitions, and sharing the space with local brands for photoshoots and pop-up events.
The warehouse will also be taken-over once a month, when students of Design School (founded in Melbourne by ex-The Block Jenna Densten) will attend to learn the styling ropes from Neve as part of their new Certificate IV in Interior Decoration offering in Newcastle.
"I have the space for all these things now: the roller door just opens into the space and it has given me the creative freedom to turn so many things into reality," he says.
IN NEWS TODAY:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News