Take A Stroll In Spitalfields And You’ll See Sofas With Decades Of Life. They’ve Got Stains And Creaks But That’s What Makes Them Magic

London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. It was worn, retro arm chair patched, and squeaky, but it was part of us. Back in the sixties, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. Chairs lived longer than flats. It’s in the sag of the springs. I found a retro accent chair in a Dalston car boot. It weren’t pretty at first glance, but the history spoke louder than the flaws.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. Every borough in London has its own taste. Chelsea leans plush, with buttoned wingbacks. Dalston keeps it cheeky, with bold fabrics. The contrast keeps it alive. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Accent chairs from another era age with dignity. They carry scratches like tattoos. Here’s the thing, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. An armchair should hug you back. So next time you’re tempted by something new, their explanation wander a street full of second-hand shops.

Grab a vintage sofa, and see how it shapes your nights.