Lose Yourself In Deptford Market And You’ll See Funky Accent Chairs In Bold Fabrics. They’re Marked And Scarred But That’s Their Story

London’s Retro Revival: Why Vintage Armchairs and Sofas Still Rule I can’t walk past a retro armchair without stopping for a look. We had an old floral sofa that was patched and sagging. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it felt alive. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, classic armchairs people kept things for decades. Families saved for months to buy one piece. It’s in the sag of the springs. I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden. Most people would have walked on, stylish upholstered seating but as soon as I sat down it felt right.

It’s outlasted three flats and two relationships. You can tell the area by the chairs. Mayfair goes glossy, with velvet armchairs. Hackney keeps it raw, with funky retro chairs. The contrast keeps it alive. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Vintage finds become part of your life. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. Here’s the thing, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack. Your seat should outlast the years. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, step into a dusty warehouse.

Pick up a retro armchair, and let it grow with you.