Wander around Camden Lock and you’ll find sofas with decades of life. They’re rough round the edges, but that’s what makes them magic

Retro Sofas and Funky Chairs – A Real London Story Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. We had an old floral sofa that was patched and sagging. It was worn, patched, and ar.thefreedictionary.com squeaky, chair retro but it was part of us. When London was swinging, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. Chairs lived longer than flats. You can feel it when you sit down. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. The legs were wobbling, chairs with sofa but as soon as I sat down it felt right. Friends always fight to sit in it.

Every borough in London has its own taste. Hampstead stays calm, with buttoned wingbacks. Brixton thrives on colour, with industrial armchairs. London wouldn’t be London without the variety. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Old-school sofas grow with you. They carry scratches like tattoos. When it comes down to it, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time. A sofa should tell your story. Next time you’re thinking of flat-pack, stop and think of the markets.

Take home something with scars, and let it shout London every time you sit.