Head Down Brick Lane On A Saturday And You’ll Spot Vintage Wingbacks With Cracked Leather. They’re Marked And Scarred But That’s What Gives Them Life

London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. It was worn, patched, and squeaky, but it told a story. Back in the sixties, furniture meant something. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. It’s in the sag of the springs. I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden.

The legs were wobbling, but as soon as I sat down it felt right. Friends always fight to sit in it. You can tell the area by the chairs. Belgravia keeps it polished, with buttoned wingbacks. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with upcycled seats. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Mass-produced pieces fade in months. Accent chairs from another era grow with you. They remind us life isn’t flawless. Truth be told, a battered sofa tells more truth than any showroom.

A desk chair funky should hold your nights. Before you grab a soulless bargain, step into a dusty warehouse. Grab a vintage sofa, and see how it shapes your nights.