Wander around Camden Lock and you’ll stumble on retro sofas piled high. They’ve got stains and creaks, but that’s the charm

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. It sagged in the middle and smelled faintly of tea, but it had heart. During the heyday of Soho, a sofa wasn’t just a sofa. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the sag of the springs. I dragged a velvet armchair comfortable home furniture from Camden.

The fabric was stained and faded, but I knew straight away it had something. Friends always fight to sit in it. London’s furniture scene splits by neighbourhood. Mayfair goes glossy, with grand accent chairs. Camden loves the clash, with mismatched sofas. It’s the mix that makes it all work. The catalogue stuff has no soul. Old-school sofas get better with years. They carry scratches like tattoos. Here’s the thing, retro wins because it’s real.

Your seat should outlast the years. When you walk past a glossy showroom, take a look at what’s already lived. Save a battered seat, and let it shout London every time you sit.