Wander Around Camden Lock And You’ll Notice Funky Accent Chairs In Bold Fabrics. They’re Rough Round The Edges But That’s What Makes Them Magic
London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. When I was a kid my nan had this battered armchair. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it was part of us. When the East End was full of voices, an armchair wasn’t just a seat. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. That history clings to vintage pieces. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney.
The legs were wobbling, but I knew straight away it had something. That chair still sits in my flat. You can tell the area by the chairs. Kensington loves velvet, with deep sofas. Dalston keeps it cheeky, retro sofagruppe with industrial armchairs. Every corner tells a different story. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Old-school sofas grow with you. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. When it comes down to it, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time. Your seat should outlast the years.
Before you grab a soulless bargain, space-saving seating options go dig through a car boot. Save a battered seat, and let it shout London every time you sit.