Head Down Brick Lane On A Saturday And You’ll Stumble On Armchairs Stacked Outside Shops. They’ve Got Stains And Creaks But That’s The Charm

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. It was worn, patched, classic armchair designs and squeaky, but it was part of us. During the heyday of Soho, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. It’s in the weight of the wood. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot.

Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but the weight told me it was the real deal. That chair still sits in my flat. Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Chelsea leans plush, with deep sofas. Camden loves the clash, with upcycled seats. The clash gives it character. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Accent chairs from another era last decades. Every creak is a memory. If you ask me straight, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss.

A unusual sofa should tell your story. Next time you’re thinking of flat-pack, stop and think of the markets. Choose a funky accent chair, and let it shout London every time you sit.