Wander Around Camden Lock And You’ll Find Sofas With Decades Of Life. They’re Marked And Scarred But That’s What Makes Them Magic
From Markets to Mansions: London’s Love for Vintage Sofas and Armchairs I’ve always had a soft spot for old furniture. Growing up, single long chair there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it felt alive. When London was swinging, furniture meant something. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. It’s in the weight of the wood. I bartered for a sofa on Brick Lane one rainy morning.
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. Furniture in London shifts with the postcode. Mayfair goes glossy, with buttoned wingbacks. Brixton thrives on colour, with upcycled seats. The contrast keeps it alive. Mass-produced pieces fade in months. Retro pieces age with dignity. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. When it comes down to it, retro buy armchairs will always beat flat-pack.
Your seat should outlast the years. If you’re scrolling catalogue sites, step into a dusty warehouse. Take home something with scars, cool armchairs and make it part of your story.