Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. The fabric was torn but held together, but it was part of us. During the heyday of Soho, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. Chairs lived longer than flats. That history clings to vintage pieces. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney.

Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but you can’t fake that kind of comfort. It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Chelsea leans plush, with velvet armchairs. Camden loves the clash, with funky retro chairs. The contrast keeps it alive. The catalogue stuff has no soul. Retro pieces become part of your life. They remind us life isn’t flawless. If you ask me straight, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack.

Furniture should live with you. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, go dig through a car boot. Save a battered seat, and watch it age alongside you can try this out.