Walk through Portobello Market and you’ll spot armchairs stacked outside shops. They’re rough round the edges, but that’s the point

Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes I can’t walk past a retro armchair without stopping for a look. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. The fabric and leather couches was torn but held together, but it felt alive. When London was swinging, a sofa wasn’t just a sofa. Families saved for months to buy one piece. It’s in the sag of the springs. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. The legs were wobbling, but as soon as I sat down it felt right.

That chair still sits in my flat. Every borough in London has its own taste. Mayfair goes glossy, with velvet armchairs. Hackney keeps it raw, with industrial armchairs. The contrast keeps it alive. Showroom sofas don’t talk back. Accent chairs from another era grow with you. They carry scratches like tattoos. Here’s the thing, an old funky accent chair means more than new gloss. A sofa should tell your story.

If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, wander a street full of second-hand shops. Pick up a retro armchair, and let it grow with you.