House Style with Paul Firmin: from hot baths to handmade flatbreads
After spending a morning at the characterful new build of Paul Firmin and Niko Dafkos, founders of Earl of East, we quizzed Paul on their House Style.
How would you describe the interiors of your home?
Our home is pretty eclectic.
We have a mix of items we found ourselves when travelling, as well as some of our favourite pieces that we have sold in our stores. We like to think it’s fairly laid back and comfortable.
You’re happiest at home when…
The weather is nice and we can swing open the door to the garden.
It really becomes an extension of our living space in the summer months and we love to eat, cook and relax out there.
If you could save one thing, what would it be?
Our photo albums.
There is something special about the physical keepsake of a photo album. Looking at the tangible images can transport you back to a time and place – and that is something that’s really missing these days, now everything just sits on a technological device.
What is your favourite living space around the world?
Truthfully, it would be our own.
It’s a real sanctuary for us and there really is nowhere like home. That said, we love the interior design by Commune and dream of having a mid-century place in California one day. Then we can really enjoy inside-outside living year round.
What was the last thing that you brought for the house?
Our marble coffee table from Soho Home was one of the more recent purchases for the space.
Last year we had a dining table made by our friend Fred Rigby, which has really changed our kitchen space. It feels much more relaxed now.
Top three coffee table books?
The World of Apartamento: 10 Years of Everyday Life Interiors, Design Commune: A Love Letter to California, and Surf Shacks: An Eclectic Compilation of Creative Surfer’s Homes from Coast to Coast and Overseas.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
Our home is a new build, so when we bought it, the finishes had already been chosen.
We wanted to change the bathrooms, but it felt irresponsible to do so when they were brand new. Now, nearly seven years on, it’s next on the list. We really want to create spaces that will be here for the long haul. We also want to add a Crittall wall to the living room and new windows overlooking the garden, which we plan to add a little wellness retreat at the end of.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
Niko is very much the cook of the house.
The style is Mediterranean – think lots of salads, dips and homemade flatbreads. We tend to entertain more in the summer months when we can make the most of the outside space.
What does Sunday here look like?
We are often working on a Sunday afternoon as we love being in the stores over the weekends, either hosting workshops or just meeting customers.
However, the mornings are a little slower. We always try and have a coffee before leaving. The evenings follow quite a regular pattern that allows us to wind down. We cook something simple and then take turns to have long hot baths, either reading or listening to podcasts. It’s very chill.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
We have Wanstead flats just up the road, so despite being very much in the city we feel like we can escape in just a few moments.
There is also a really nice community spirit here. Over the last two years, it feels like we know more and more people in the neighbourhood, which was something we felt was missing before we moved here.
RELATED ON THE MODERN HOUSE
House Style with Charlene Prempeh and James Goodhead
House Style with Ferren Gipson: DIY projects, DJ sets and the dream roof terrace
House Style with Gill Lambert and Geoff Shearcroft
House Style with ceramicist Andrea Roman at her modernist maisonette in Bethnal Green, east London
House Style with Jo Sindle and Kyle Stewart
House Style with Natasha Landers
Furniture dealer Mario Kardana shares his House Style at his apartment in Hackney, east London
House Style with Tatjana von Stein
House Style with Charlie Porter at his art-filled concrete home in Shoreditch, east London
House Style with ceramicist Jonathan Openshaw at his eclectic apartment in Kennington, south London