Walk Through Portobello Market And You’ll Spot Vintage Wingbacks With Cracked Leather. They Ain’t Showroom Clean But That’s The Charm
From Markets to Mansions: London’s Love for Vintage Sofas and Armchairs Retro chairs and sofas have been part of my life for years. Growing up, there was a sofa in our house that had seen it all. The arms were shiny from years of elbows, but it was part of us. In the days of smoky pubs and jazz clubs, you didn’t buy throwaway chairs. You’d keep the same chair your whole life. That history clings to vintage pieces.
I rescued a battered contemporary leather armchair from outside a shop in Peckham. The fabric was stained and faded, but as soon as I sat down it felt right. Friends always fight to sit in it. Each district carries its own vibe. Hampstead stays calm, with plush seating. Shoreditch stays messy, with mismatched sofas. It’s the mix that makes it all work. New furniture looks dead next to vintage. Retro pieces become part of your life. Every stain has a story.
Here’s the thing, I’ll pick a vintage sofa over new every time. A chair should hold your nights. When you walk past a glossy showroom, wander a street full of second-hand shops. Take home something with scars, and watch it age alongside you.