Cosy: Papered Parlour in Clapham has the friendly feel of a tea room

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With sun-washed white walls, shelves cram-med with old books, handmade stuffed toys lying about and tea-infused cocktails on hand, it’s hard to believe that this magical little arts space was recently a bland office building with carpet tiles and 80s wallpaper.

“It was horrid!” laughs Claire Heafford, a 27-year-old former Chelsea College of Art sculpting student who is launching The Papered ­Parlour with best mate and photographer Louise Hall.

“We ripped up the floor, made use of the natural light and turned it into a parlour,” Louise says. “We wanted it to feel like a home from home.”

The plan is to create a place where ­locals can drop in for a cup of tea, theatre troupes can put on evening performances, and kids and adults can learn to knit, screen print, draw, make books, quilt, felt and design jewellery.

“We wanted to bring the craft community to Clapham,” Louise says, pointing out that south London’s not heaving with galleries and cafes in the same way as east London. Both artists hated the intimidating air that some galleries and theatres give off, and were determined to turn their parlour into a friendly space where anyone could kill an hour, even if they weren’t signed up for a class.

Now they’ve got people who live in the street popping in to say “hi” every day.

While idlers are browsing books, listening to old records, pouring tea from china pots and digging into the piles of colourful cupcakes, there’s a studio space out back where 10 ­artists, each from a different ­discipline, from web design to portrait painting, are hard at work. The idea is to get everyone swapping skills.

The whole place can also be rented out for swanky parties, ­theatre rehearsals or­ children’s fun days.

This Saturday there’s a full day of free events to get the party started, with an exhibition of quilted upholstery and hand-printed wallpaper, a craft kiosk, clothes swap, children’s workshop and a tea dance.

Business as usual will be a programme of courses and one-off workshops, which will soon be expanded to ­include as many types of art as the place can cram in.

As much as it’s about ­community, Claire explains, it’s also about making people confident enough to be more creative at home.

“We want everyone to feel that they can get involved.”

The Papered Parlour launches Sat 2 May, 10.30am-6pm, 7 Prescott Place, SW4 6BS, 020 7627 8703, free, www.thepaperedparlour.co.uk