Walking into Eva is much like visiting a friend’s home – the difference is that everything on the floor is for sale! Eva’s story began in Melbourne in 2017, when Ken Lau and Amanda Niu decided to create quality furniture products and a business that reflected their ethos and ethics. The flagship store opened in Carlton and, one year on, the brand has expanded to Sydney with the opening of Eva in Surry Hills.

Continuing the relationship with In Addition, who designed the first showroom, the Sydney iteration is a welcoming place for clients as they peruse products in a residential-style environment that takes retailing to quite another level.

The project, with lead Josh McLean, co-founder of In Addition, is a stunning conversion of an historic 1880s corner building and the sensitive reimagination of the interior is the perfect setting for the brand. The space is conceived as both an extension and a reinterpretation of Eva’s design philosophy, where everyday moments are elevated into experiences and the rituals of living are honoured through thoughtful design.

The interior design pays homage to the heritage and character of the original architecture, while introducing contemporary elements that breathe new life into the structure. With lofty ceilings, arched windows and generous proportions, there is a sense of largesse and grandeur that makes the act of browsing and shopping a standout occasion.

“What I love most about the design is its sense of calm. The changing scale of textures, muted palette and simple forms create a space that feels refined yet incredibly inviting, which is exactly what we want people to experience when they walk into an Eva home,” says McLean.

The palette of natural textures and soft finishes along with carefully composed lighting creates an environment that is both refined and inviting. Warm timber, stone accents and textured upholstery all contribute to the relaxed aesthetic, while abundant natural light helps to transform the interior throughout the day. The spatial flow and generosity of space within the building also aligns with Eva’s philosophy of living well and living simply.

While Eva is as carefully curated as a home, this is a place to shop, see products in situ and understand how they might work together in your own environment. With the opportunity to see, touch, feel, sit or lie on furniture, shopping becomes a tactile experience that is easy to enjoy.

However, it is the attention to every detail that marks this project as an exemplar, where the small things matter just as much as the big picture. “One of my favourite details is the way the leather wall panels frame the bed. They introduce a depth and warmth that anchor the room, while still allowing the furnishings to feel light and understated,” McLean comments.

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In Addition has created an interior where bespoke joinery and considered display systems frame Eva’s collections, much like a home gallery. Rather than overwhelming clients, the displays and configurations encourage a slower, more intuitive exploration of the showroom and the result is a retail environment that is a living space where history, design and the rhythm of daily rituals converge.

With a seamless connection between inside and outside that reflects Sydney’s unique relationship with nature and an interior that ticks all the boxes, Eva Surry Hills is true to its place and heritage and is a shining example of retail design for today.

In Addition
inaddition.studio

Photography
Cieran Murphy