Photography: Steve Brown
Tastemaker and interior style icon Neale Whitaker has confessed to loathing a certain common decor trend. Neale, formerly a judge on The Block and soon to grace screens on My Reno Rules, is no stranger to imparting his wisdom to eager home-style enthusiasts.
While fans may be familiar with the trends Neale loves (such as his penchant for lamps), they may not be so familiar with those he’s willing to forego. And the top of his list? Throws.
Home Beautiful editor and host of The Edit podcast, Elle Lovelock, recently asked Neale which “design crime” he would fix in all Australian homes, and the design legend was quick to respond.
Why Neale Whitaker doesn’t do throws
“I think I would ban throws,” he said. “Throws drive me mad for the simple reason that most people have way too many of them. I said this once on The Block, and I’ll say it again because I believe it, I think throws can make a perfectly nice room look really scruffy.”
Listen to Neale’s episode of The Edit:
He continued: “People often have a perfectly elegant, well laid-out bedroom or living room, and then they just toss a load of throws. For me it’s the equivalent of coming home and taking clothes off and throwing them on the furniture. It does absolutely nothing, and I can’t bear them.”
While throws have been lauded as a savvy styling hack — perfect for adding colour or texture to an otherwise stale room — it is true they can get messy, and may often go unused.
However, if you’re one of the many people who appreciates a good throw, never fear. You’re in good company. “I must admit, I’m pro throw,” confessed Elle.
“It’s a personal thing and I know a lot of people out there love throws,” Neale conceded. ” I even had some throws in my own homewares range for a while. If I’ve got to have a throw, I’m one of these people that will fold the throw really neatly, and then place it over the back of the chair. But I cannot bear any throws thrown!”
Rhoda 60×60 Cushion
$149, Country Road
Axel velvet accent stool
$334.95, Temple & Webster
Rattan Basket
$99.95, Freedom
Grove Linen 35×60 Cushion
$89.95, Country Road
Fortunately there are ways to wrangle “thrown throws”. In addition to folding them neatly, you can also place them in decorative rattan baskets or other chic storage solutions. It’s also perfectly fine if you love the finish provided by your beloved throw!
Meanwhile, if you think your couch could use some non-throw styling, consider playing with cushion colours or textures, or adding Neale’s personal favourite “comfort item” — an ottoman.
Watch Neale on Home Beautiful’s The Edit podcast:
