Head down Brick Lane on a Saturday and you’ll notice retro sofas piled high. They’re rough round the edges, but that’s what gives them life

Vintage Armchairs, Accent Chairs, and Sofas: Proper Character for Real Homes Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. We had an old floral sofa that was patched and leather chair retro sagging. It was worn, patched, sofasdirect.com and squeaky, but it had heart. When London was swinging, a sofa wasn’t just a sofa. Chairs lived longer than flats. That history clings to vintage pieces. I rescued a battered armchair from outside a shop in Peckham. Most people would have walked on, but the weight told me it was the real deal.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Mayfair goes glossy, with grand accent chairs. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with industrial armchairs. It’s the mix that makes it all work. Showroom sofas don’t talk back. Vintage finds get better with years. Every stain has a story. Truth be told, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time. Your seat should outlast the years.

When you walk past a glossy showroom, wander a street full of second-hand shops. Take home something with scars, and make it part of your story.