The Block's Neale Whitaker announces major career move after quitting the show

Five months after revealing that he was officially leaving The Block, Neale Whitaker has announced an exciting new career move. The interior design expert and much-loved TV personality, who appeared as a judge on seventeen seasons of the renovation reality show, has released his first-ever kitchen and dining collection in collaboration with NSW-based retailer, Gro Urban Oasis.

The capsule collection includes dinnerware, serveware, drinkware, cutlery, table linen, kitchen napery, baskets and outdoor candles divided into two different ranges: Culinary and Everyday. While the Culinary range features handmade, bespoke pieces at a higher price point, the Everyday range is more affordable and comes in two different colours.

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“I knew that I wanted it to be something very classic, very timeless, beautifully simple, beautifully designed, but also affordable,” Neale tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

“That's very important to me, that good design should be affordable, and I think these two ranges are very, very accessible. I'm very happy with the quality of the product, but I'm also very happy with the price point.”

How to incorporate Neale's range in your home

Neale, who has previously released a collection of bed linen, bath towels and home decor, adds that he’s “quietly confident” that the range will be popular because of its classic design.

“I believe that this range will work perfectly with other things depending on your taste,” he details. “If your taste veers to the minimal, you will love this and you can use it on its own. If your taste veers more to the decorative or contemporary, you can add things to it. If your taste is very contemporary, you can definitely add things to this.

“It's been deliberately designed to fit in with what most people have already got in the kitchen cupboard.”

Why did Neale Whitaker quit The Block?

Neale announced in May that he was stepping back from his long-term role on The Block to be with his partner David as he battled “some serious health issues”. He spoke openly about his decision to leave the series with Yahoo Lifestyle at the 2024 Logie Awards in August, admitting that it was “time to move on”.

“Oh gosh, it was a big decision, but it was something that I had to do for my personal life,” he shared. “After 13 years, it kind of felt like the timing was right. I gave it my best shot for all those years, and it was time to move on.

“It's always going to have a very special place for me, that show, always. And I think if I'm honest, I'll always feel like an honorary member of the show - I don't know whether they'll approve of that, but that's how I feel.”

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Neale made a surprise cameo on the show last month to judge the Surf Club Renovation Challenge, and he exclusively tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he will make one more appearance later in the season.

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