Lose Yourself In Deptford Market And You’ll Stumble On Armchairs Stacked Outside Shops. They’ve Aged In Public But That’s The Charm

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. The fabric was torn but held together, but it felt alive. When London was swinging, furniture meant something. You’d go second-hand modern leather armchairs instead of brand new. 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, but as soon as I sat down it felt right.

Friends always fight to sit in it. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Kensington loves velvet, with buttoned wingbacks. Shoreditch stays messy, with bold fabrics. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. modern living room furniture flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Retro pieces get better with years. Every stain has a story. Truth be told, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. Furniture should live with you. So next time you’re tempted by something new, stop and think of the markets.

Save a battered seat, and let it shout London every time you sit.