Behind the Design: Artefact with Interior Stylist Tim Neve
When it comes to crafting a space that feels grounded, expressive, and deeply personal, few do it quite like Interior Stylist, Tim Neve. Known for his earthy design sensibilities and richly layered style, Tim is admired for his ability to blend the tactile with the timeless.
Now, in his latest collaboration with Urban Road, he's bringing that same ethos to a new collection of organic earthy home decor - Artefact.
The Artefact Collection is an exploration of origin and emotion - tactile pieces with soul, each one designed to bring a sense of depth and intention into the home.
In this special edition of Behind the Design, we sat down with Tim to unpack the story behind the collaboration - from inspiration and creative process to the styling mindset that shaped every detail.
For those who aren’t familiar with your work, how would you describe your design style?
"At the heart of everything I do is this love of texture, tone, and storytelling. I’ve always gravitated toward designs that feel raw and real - there’s beauty in the imperfect!
My work definitely leans into an artisan feel. Think rough edges, hand-done finishes, and pieces that have soul and character.
I guess you could say I don’t aim for perfection; I aim for connection. With ‘Artefact’, that approach is taken to a whole new level. It’s deeper, moodier, more layered.
It’s homewares with heart, designed to feel like they’ve lived a life before finding their place in yours."
What are some signature “Tim Neve” design elements we’ll see in Artefact?
"Oh, for sure! My obsession with organic forms is very much present. You’ll see those flowing lines and soft, imperfect shapes. The textures are super tactile, and the colour palette is all warm, comforting tones.
Nature has been a major muse for Artefact - from the cracked patina of weathered rock to the soft clay hues of terracotta. What’s different this time is how layered it all feels. Some prints look like cutaways of sedimentary layers of stone, placed alongside other free-form abstract brush strokes.
The whole collection feels like it’s been unearthed - like these pieces already have a story, and now they’re ready to be infused into fresh spaces."
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the Artefact Collection?
"It’s been around four years since my last full homewares collection, but I guess ‘Artefact’ has been slowly simmering away in the background the whole time. A big turning point was the reaction I got to some of the rooms I revealed at Hipwell Haus.
That gave me the push I needed to go deeper - to lean into that primal, grounded feeling. This collection draws from primal marks and patterns - ancient carvings, primitive shapes, and symbolic brush strokes - that explore the very origins of human expression.
You’ll also see nods to Art Deco, with marbled grains and carved detailing woven in a contemporary way."
More from Tim Neve
Inspired by the Australian coastline and grounded in a love of texture, Tim Neve’s collection explores the harmony of nature and design through thoughtful, tactile artistry.
What drew you to collaborate with Urban Road for this collection?
"Honestly, I’ve admired Urban Road for years! They just get it - they have this incredible eye for what’s coming next, and the quality of their pieces is next level. From the very beginning, it felt like such a natural fit.
We share the same belief in creating beautiful, thoughtful pieces that people will love living with. They gave me so much creative freedom and were also super hands-on in helping bring every detail to life. It felt like a true meeting of minds - and it made the whole experience a total dream."
What was the collaborative process like with the Urban Road team?
"It was such a rewarding process from start to finish! We had months of back-and-forths - moodboards, samples, design tweaks - you name it. The team was open, collaborative, and totally invested in making this collection sing. I got to be super hands-on, which I love, and the end result is a collection I’m genuinely proud of."
How do you approach styling layered pieces like art, wallpaper and furnishings?
"I always start with a feeling - what mood do I want the room to evoke? From there, I usually pick one piece as a starting point - often an artwork - and build around it.
Urban Road actually makes this super easy because you can search by colour on their site. Once I’ve picked that hero piece, I use it as a kind of visual anchor, then echo its shapes or tones in cushions and accessories.
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns either! Just keep the tones consistent and vary the scale - it keeps things cohesive, not chaotic."
What was it like working hands-on with the Urban Road team?
"It was this beautiful balance, honestly. They have such strong creative direction themselves, and I really admire how they operate from both a design and business standpoint.
But they also gave me room to lead the artistic direction and explore ideas freely. That kind of creative dialogue is so energising."
What’s one thing that surprised you during the design process?
"One big surprise was just how big this collection became! Urban Road encouraged me to really push the number of artworks and designs we included.
As a pattern lover, I’m super proud of how we handled the repeats. We spent a lot of time developing organic, non-mirrored wallpaper that feels fluid and dynamic. That extra round of tweaking really made the difference - it elevated everything."
How do you envision people living with these pieces?
"More than anything, I hope the collection helps people feel grounded in their own space. It’s a call to reconnect with texture, tone, and meaning within your own four walls.
Whether you want to wallpaper an entire room or introduce a single hero piece like one of the terracotta wall art prints, Artefact is designed to work harmoniously across the home. I always work within a limited, tonal palette, which makes mixing and matching easy.
Artefact also taps into the current “cocooning” trend - creating homes that feel nurturing and soulful. It’s about slowing down and surrounding yourself with pieces that hold meaning.
These artworks are intentionally abstract and open to interpretation, from shelf-sized moments to large-scale canvas statements."
And finally - what’s next for you creatively?
"I’m always dreaming up a hundred things at once! Right now, I’m still riding the high from Hipwell Haus, but I’m starting to get that itch to transform another space.
I’m also loving teaching through my online course, The Styling Department. It’s amazing to share what I’ve learned with others who want to bring that creative spark into their own homes."
Final Thoughts
The Artefact Collection is more than just a visual statement - it’s a tactile journey. With abstract organic art, warm earthy colour palettes, and textured wallpaper made to be layered and lived with, it invites you to create a home that feels like a sanctuary.
Whether you’re drawn to sculptural terracotta pieces or dark minimalist wallpaper, this collaboration is a love letter to raw beauty, slow living, and the stories our spaces can tell.
Browse the full Urban Road X Tim Neve Artefact Collection now, and let your home become the canvas.