LIFE & STYLE
Neale Whitaker shares some firsts and favourite things…
FIRST ADULT HOME? An apartment in West London. It had rising damp and the dimensions of a stamp, but to me it was a palace. BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION? I don’t like to put that pressure on myself! I’ve travelled extensively, but I would love to spend a month exploring Italy (4) with David and really get under its skin.
DREAM RESTAURANT TABLE? I’m seeing a shady table beneath a gnarled old tree on a Greek island. We’re enjoying freshly grilled fish, a feta-laden salad and a bottle of rosé. That’s five-star dining for me. DREAM CAR? I’m proud to be an ambassador for Mini Australia and love my Mini Clubman John Cooper Works (10). It drives like a dream. DESIGNERS WHO INSPIRE YOU? My career as an editor taught me to appreciate the best examples of numerous genres, even if they differed from my own style. In Australia, I’m drawn to the beautiful and refined work of Alexander &Co (7) and Handelsmann+Khaw. FAVOURITE ARTISTS? I love the work of Lucy Vader, Robert Doble, Nunzio Miano and Nick Olsen. We recently acquired a beautiful landscape photograph by Lindsay Blamey (3) for our guesthouse, and will be closely watching the career of our young local friend Art Tui. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? I’ll always be that guy on the plane with an actual book. I’m currently reading Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen and recently enjoyed Anne Tyler’s French Braid.
FAVOURITE MOVIE? Cabaret (6) – I can’t believe it was made 50 years ago. Only Baz Luhrmann could make a movie like that today. FAVOURITE PODCASTS? I overdosed on podcasts during Covid, but I’m enjoying Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps (8). FAVOURITE FASHION LABELS? I recently bought some great pieces by American Vintage (1) – a French label despite the name – and a British label called Form & Thread. I’m a fan of Acne Studios, COS, RM Williams boots (5) and, of course, Uniqlo for basics. FAVOURITE VASE FILLER? Blue and white hydrangeas, peonies (9), lupins, ginger flowers… I like just one type of flower, no mixed bunches. A DESIGNER PIECE I COVET IS… Henry Wilson’s Surface Sconce in Blackened Bronze (2). Beautifully sculptural and timeless.
I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT… David and our beautiful dogs Thibault, Teddy and Graham, of course, but as I get older the list becomes more abstract. It’s less about things and more about physical and mental wellbeing. I would find it hard to live without an interesting project to work on and our beautiful home to return to each day. NEXT MAJOR PURCHASE FOR THE HOME? It’s been a year of major purchases as we have furnished our guesthouse and renovated two bathrooms. But next up is a large mirror for the hallway in our home. We’re talking L-A-R-G-E.
“I’M A BOWERBIRD. I DRAW INSPIRATION FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES.”