FEATURE Story
DOWN TO A T
TINA NETTLEFOLD
Features Editor Ros Reines, caught up with interior stylist, serial renovator and philanthropist, and founder of T-House, Tina Nettlefold.
When she turned 60, Tina Nettlefold started T-House – an online homewares platform, which would earn her absolutely nothing. Yes, you read that sentence correctly.
Little wonder that many thought she was crazy.
At 60, life is supposed to become cushy. Surely, it’s not the time to throw yourself into a not-for-profit start up? Who needs that kind of responsibility and a daily grind?
“People said to me, “if you want to give money away, why not just write a cheque?” she recalls.
But Nettlefold, who has a background in advertising, interior design and as a mum (“I call being a stay-at-home mum a career”), had a vision.
She was excited about what the future would hold for her and for others she wanted to help.
“I had three goals in setting up T-House,” she explains. “I wanted to support Australian artisans including ceramicists, artists and glass blowers by collaborating with them to make beautiful, ethical local products.”
“I also wanted to give back to the Australian economy with a homegrown business and finally, I wanted to channel the proceeds
from all sales to three important charities to me: The Lighthouse Foundation, Eat Up and the Robert Dawes Foundation.
Consider this venture a new way of doing philanthropy.
It’s certainly paying o for its founder by nourishing her at every level.
According to a Forbes’ 2017 article on the science of giving back, having a purpose is good for the body and the brain. It found that most philosophies and religions include a strong belief in giving back to the world and it’s one of the most therapeutic things we can do for ourselves.
Some in the medical profession believe that it may help us to live longer as philanthropists are actively involved in the world, which helps to keep the brain more agile.
“I don’t think people really understand what we do,” Nettlefold admits. “We’re basically a homewares range who give 100% of our sales back to those three charities we support. We are very proud of what we do,” she says.
University of Western Sydney chancellor and the new chair of the $460 million ASX-listed philanthropic vehicle, Future Generation Global, Jennifer Westacott, is hoping that initiatives like Tina Nettlefold’s will be the way of the future.
Westacott, the former head of the Business Council of Australia, will lead the push for a special tax-free allowance for people to donate to charities in this country. This should enhance the Australian Government’s goal of doubling philanthropy by 2030.
Tina Nettlefold says that she and her family had a lot of success early on in life, which enables her to give back.
Now at 63, she relishes this opportunity to excel for others. “You’re never too old to start something new,” she says.
“T-House is here to stay.”
Nettlefold will continue to reap the many spiritual and humanitarian benefits of her work.
Well, as the late writer, poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou put it, “giving liberates the soul.”
Mahatma Gandhi is also quoted in Forbes. The revered global leader said that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself is in the service of others.”
At T-House, Nettlefold has discovered much joy in working with Aussie creatives to curate everything from cake plates to travel organisers, as well as filling the air with revitalising home scents, delicious smelling candles and room sprays.
One of her favourite products is the luminous green Palin Carafe & Cup Set, which is actually hand-crafted from up cycled San Pellegrino glass water bottles. It was created in collaboration with Small Impact Studio and is designed to rest on a bedside table. The cup sits on top, keeping the dust out.
“Everything we do also has a meaning behind it,” Nettlefold says. “The Palin Carafe was inspired by my Greek heritage. Palin in Ancient Greek, refers to renewal, rebirth and recreation.”
SHOP T-HOUSE
READ MORE ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION
READ MORE ABOUT EAT UP
