Photos + Words: Xiaohan Shen

Claire Yvonne Evans is a producer who works on films, magazines and even in the digital space. This busy girl shares her Paddington home with her partner, David, a film editor. Situated on a quiet leafy street, the terrace house is picture perfect from the outside, but even better on the inside.

I paid Claire a visit on a sunny morning recently and I was impressed to say the least. Bright, simple, with a great collection of artworks and decorations, it definitely nails the Scandinavian look both Claire and David love. They bought the house last year and have only lived in it for the past 6 months, the house had been used as a rental property for years and was very run down. Without a big budget, Claire and David decided on renovating it themselves, giving the walls a fresh coat of white paint, fixing the house here and there, even the bathroom re-tiling was done by David himself. They just wanted to make the place liveable and leave the proper renovation for a few years later. Well if this is only the interim job, I can’t even imagine how amazing their full vision will look like!

Mid-century furniture is definitely the main feature in this household, something both Claire and David love and have been collecting for years. No reproductions in sight around here, Claire and David only buy vintage pieces and nurse them back to health. Fixing the house and furniture is pretty much their second job, taking up most of their weekends. The results speak for themselves and it must be a special feeling to sit on a couch you lovingly restored, let alone a house full of them.

I know mid-century furniture in good condition can be costly, so I quizzed Claire about tips on finding good pieces at affordable prices. Turns out ebay and gumtree would be your best friends, big estate sales where people don’t quite know the value of these vintage pieces are also good. The most important thing is to actually put in some good old fashioned elbow grease! Those pieces people pass up on, the ones missing a few bits, the ones needs reupholstering, bargain the price down and buy those. Put in some TLC and the results are both rewarding and fantastic.

The other thing I loved is the big collection of artworks, from vintage film posters, to photographic prints and illustrations, the range is diverse yet they all look great together. Most of the works are by friends and colleagues, making them even more special.

Claire’s favourite local spots

Cafe – Cafe on the Other Side (Claire recommends the huge field mushrooms with goats cheese for breakfast)
Coffee – Posto No. 19
Lunch – Wilbur’s Place
Dinner – Onde
Drinks – Hinky Dinks (A mid-century themed cocktail bar)

Butcher – G.R.U.B & Feather and Bone
Bakery – Organic Bread Bar
Produce – Youeni Provides (Also great coffee and food)
Naturopath – Ovvio Organics

Clothing shops – Incu & Gorman
Bookshop – Ariel
Cinema – Chauvel
Hairdressers – Oscar Oscar
Eyebrows – Parlour B (Right above Parlour X)

Feeling inspired yet? I know I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes out for some shabby looking mid-century furniture pieces!