Wander Around Camden Lock And You’ll Spot Armchairs Stacked Outside Shops. They Ain’t Showroom Clean But That’s What Makes Them Magic

Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes Vintage sofas just feel more real than anything new. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. It sagged in the middle and accent chair and sofa smelled faintly of tea, but it told a story. When the East End was full of voices, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. Families saved for months to buy one piece. It’s in the sag of the springs. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney. Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, see sofasdirect.com but the history spoke louder than the flaws.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Every borough in London has its own taste. Mayfair goes glossy, accent contemporary chairs with plush seating. Shoreditch stays messy, with industrial armchairs. The clash gives it character. Showroom sofas don’t talk back. Retro pieces get better with years. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. At the end of the day, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss. A chair should hold your nights.

Before you grab a soulless bargain, wander a street full of second-hand shops. Pick up a retro armchair, and watch it age alongside you.