Take A Stroll In Spitalfields And You’ll Stumble On Sofas With Decades Of Life. They’ve Aged In Public But That’s What Gives Them Life

Why Retro Furniture Still Beats Flat-Pack in London

There’s something about vintage pieces that grabs me. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. It sagged in the middle and smelled faintly of tea, but it had heart.


In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the weight of the wood.

I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden. The legs were wobbling, but the weight told me it was the real deal. It’s carried me through late nights and lazy Sundays.

Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Belgravia keeps it polished, with deep sofas. Camden loves the clash, with mismatched sofas. Every corner tells a different story.

New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Accent chairs from another era last decades. They carry scratches like tattoos.

If you ask me straight, Full Survey a battered sofa tells more truth than any showroom. A chair should hold your nights.

If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, go dig through a car boot. Pick up a retro armchair, and let it grow with you.