Lose yourself in Deptford Market and you’ll find retro sofas piled high. They’ve got stains and creaks, but that’s the point

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story 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. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it had heart. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. You’d hand down sofas from parents to kids. You can feel it when you sit down. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot.

Most people would have walked on, accent contemporary chairs but the history spoke louder than the flaws. It’s carried me through late nights and lazy Sundays. Every borough in London has its own taste. Hampstead stays calm, with plush seating. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with industrial armchairs. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. New furniture looks dead next to vintage style armchair. Armchairs with scars become part of your life. They’re not perfect, but neither are we.

At the end of the day, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. Your seat should outlast the years. Next time you’re thinking of flat-pack, go dig through a car boot. Pick up a retro armchair, and let it shout London every time you sit.