From Markets to Mansions: London’s Love for Vintage Sofas fabric and leather couches Armchairs I can’t walk past a retro armchair without stopping for a look. My first memory of proper furniture is my grandad’s wingback chair. It weren’t showroom-perfect, but it told a story. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. You’d hand traditional armchair down sofas from parents to kids. It’s in the weight of the wood. I dragged a velvet armchair home from Camden. Some would’ve laughed at the state of it, but I knew straight away it had something.

It’s carried me through late nights and lazy Sundays. You can tell the area by the chairs. Kensington loves velvet, with plush seating. Camden loves the clash, with upcycled seats. The clash gives it character. Modern flat-pack doesn’t hold a candle. Old-school sofas become part of your life. Every stain has a story. If you ask me straight, retro armchairs will always beat flat-pack.

A chair should hold your nights. Next time you’re thinking of flat-pack, stop and think of the markets. Save a battered seat, and let it shout London every time you sit.