Philip Evans Palmer was born the son of Frederick Arthur Palmer (1868-1915), an architect, in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, on 19 April 1898 and studied in Eastbourne, Sussex and in London. He subsequently practised as an architect and in 1926 was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA).
A photograph and ground- and first-floor plans of 'Shepherd's Crown', The Avenue in Tadworth, Surrey, designed by Palmer is illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1928 (p.69); two photographs of interiors in Chelsea: a bedroom and a dining room, designed by him are illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1932 (p.32); and photographs of his own house in College Place, Chelsea, and a house in Peel Street, Kensington, designed by him are illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1935 (p.30).
Palmer also designed furniture and worked as an interior designer. He exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, the Paris Salon, and elsewhere.
His address during these years was given as 4, The Quadrangle, Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire in 1928
Palmer was a member of the Design & Industries Association (DIA). In his entry in the 1934 edition of 'Who's Who in Art' Palmer gave as one of his recreations "attempting to improve public taste".
His address was given as 19, Handside Lane, Welwyn, Herfordshire in 1929, 29 Bedford Row, London in 1935; and 33 Ellystan Place, Chelsea, London in 1939. He died on 30 June 1956.
Dolman, Bernard. Who's Who in Art. A Series of Alphabetically-arranged Biographies of the Leading Men and Women in the World of Art To-day, Artists, Collectors, Critics and Curators. London: Art Trade Press Ltd., 3rd edition, 1934
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 191, 6 July 1956 p. 21
‘Obituary’. RIBA Journal vol. 64, December 1956 p. 80