Student living in East London is messy but fun. The kitchen had a dodgy kettle, but we built it piece by piece.

Forget glossy showrooms, so we searched markets. We carried a wingback through Dalston. The colours clashed, chairs funky but that’s why it worked.

Old accent chairs carry memory, and we care more about story than gloss. I’ve watched half my flat pass out across two chairs, and the sofa store was another character in the story.

Every warehouse flat tells the same story, and designers take inspiration from it. My flatmate dragged me into Smithers, and the accent chairs were bold and weird. we left with just one piece, but it’s become the throne of the house.

We’ve all dragged furniture through rain. It’s part of student life. Vintage pieces survive it.

Modern stuff? Forget it, but funky chairs grow with you. every creak is another laugh.

When you’re moving out, the stress disappears, but the armchair stays in your mind.

When you start student life, forget the catalogue shine. Choose a funky accent chair, and watch it age with you.