Wander around Camden Lock and you’ll find funky accent chairs in bold fabrics. They’re rough round the edges, but that’s the point

Vintage stylish armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes 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 told a story. When London was swinging, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the creak when you shift. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. The fabric was stained and faded, but you can’t fake that kind of comfort.

Friends always fight to sit in it. Every borough in London has its own taste. Belgravia keeps it polished, with deep sofas. Hackney keeps it raw, with bold fabrics. The clash gives it character. The catalogue stuff has no soul. Armchairs with scars get better with years. They carry scratches like tattoos. At the end of the day, a battered sofa tells more truth than any showroom. A sofa should tell your story. When you walk past a glossy showroom, stop and unique armchair think of the markets.

Take home something with scars, and see how it shapes your nights.