Claire Johnston’s 100-year-old Glasgow house which she shares with her husband and dogs is more than just a home. The historical one-time registry office and library is also a concept store – an inspiring and envy-inducing space that is filled with an eclectic mix of mid-century furniture and modern accessories. Here, shoppers are invited into her personal space to explore, discover and purchase some of her favourite things. Welcome to I Am Nomad.

Having hosted several successful open days (and Instagram walk-throughs during lockdown), Claire shares with us what it’s like to live in a showroom, where she gets her inspiration, and dishes on some of the products she’s loving at the moment. 

Tell us a little bit about your journey to I Am Nomad

I did a degree in fine art and art history and then took a year out where I got a job in retail – and never left! I was working for a high street fashion retailer where I worked my way up the management ladder and my final 8 years with the company were as Area Manager of Ireland. 

After 24 years I decided to leave and took up a position with an Irish company as a Brand Director and Head of Buying, which was a bit of a change in direction for me, but I guess that, and relocating to Glasgow, was what pushed me to Launch I AM NOMAD.

Where did the idea come from to turn your home into a concept store?

On a trip to New York, we visited an apartment where everything was for sale, albeit everything was extremely expensive and high end. My husband and I are both in retail, and we thought it was such a refreshing way to shop 

I talked about it and thought about it for a good few years, but it was only when we found our house in Glasgow that I really felt that I could do it – and in a more achievable way for customers with regards to the product. So, I try to cover every price point.

What items can shoppers always find in your home? 

People will always find a rare mid-century piece of furniture, whether it’s a statement sideboard or a little telephone seat. There will always be something mid-century in the house!

Do you ever become so attached to a piece that you can’t give it up? 

Not really. Up to now, there has never been anything in the house that isn’t up for sale. I tend to be happy when pieces move on and find a new home, and the fact that I meet the people that buy them and typically deliver them to their new home helps me to make my peace with it. 

My husband has got quite attached to a few things but he really has to get over it! 

What are some of your most popular items?

The clean slate candles, the big walls mirrors and anything from HK Living or Broste Copenhagen. 

What are some of your personal favourite items? 

There is a new range of Broste vases that I am really really loving at the moment. 

Which designers or artists have made the biggest impact on your personal style? 

I can’t say any particular person. The concept of I Am Nomad is that the house is just a collection of things that I love all mixed together. I think that I am more influenced by time periods, like the Mad Men era and 1970s James Bond films. 

I have spent a lot of time in Denmark so I am influenced by the way the Danish live – not the clichéd Skandi style, but more the eclectic living space with clashing colours, etc. 

Also, working in High Street Retail for so long I hate the thought of everyone’s house looking the same. Rows and rows and shelves and shelves of the same thing just encourage us to let go of our individuality, whereas I think we should be embracing our individual styles. I do think that the world is changing and people do want to be more individual. 

I do find Roisin Lafferty, an Irish interior designer, incredibly inspirational with everything she does.

What is it like living in a showroom? 

Well, I hate to burst the bubble but we just live like normal people – messy, lived-in, dinner parties when we were allowed… 

Setting up for the open house is actually a lot of work because the stock belongs to the business. We learnt very quickly that we couldn’t live with it as in the photos because we have 2 big dogs and we were afraid of damaging the stock. But the decoration is lovely to have around us and we do have some nice things that are out of reach of the dogs. 

We have had a few red wine incidents and dirty dogs on sofas and rugs and the odd breakage!

As someone who is at the forefront of changing how we shop, what do you think is the future of retail?

Honestly, I have never really thought of myself as being an innovator but I will take that thank you! 

I think that the future of retail has changed because of this Pandemic. There was a definite move away from the High Street to more independent shops before COVID, and then with lockdown, there was an outpouring of support for the local shops/independents and online retailers. 

But I have seen that in this second lockdown people are fed up with shopping online, so I actually think that there will be a brief revival of High Street shopping and brick-and-mortar stores. I think people have realised how important the personal touch of a shop is – for certain things. 

In a year from now... I honestly don’t know. Possibly, as we all get back to normal and back to our faster lifestyles, we will revert to online shopping. But I think that online businesses will have to up their game to create a personal touch, which is definitely possible as there are lots of companies out there doing it really well.

Inspired? Shop I Am Nomad now. 

By Michelle Randall