Head down Brick Lane on a Saturday and you’ll notice vintage wingbacks with cracked leather. They’re rough round the edges, but that’s what gives them life

Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. It sagged in the middle and smelled faintly of tea, but it had heart. During the heyday of Soho, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. You’d go second-hand instead of brand new. It’s in the weight of the wood. I once pulled a Chesterfield out of a warehouse in Hackney. Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but you can’t fake that kind of comfort.

That chair still sits in my flat. Every borough in London has its own taste. Hampstead stays calm, with buttoned wingbacks. Shoreditch stays messy, with upcycled seats. The contrast keeps it alive. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Old-school sofas get better with years. Every stain has a story. Truth be told, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. A chair should hold your nights. Before you grab a soulless bargain, stop fabric and leather couches think of the markets.

Take home something with scars, and let it grow with you.